Saturday, January 29, 2011

I'm Engaged!! What do I do next?

Getting engaged is an exciting time, but when the excitement has worn off, the work begins. Many new brides find themselves at a loss for what to do next. Where do you start the wedding planning process?
Whether you are planning a long or a short engagement period, there are certain things every bride needs to determine before they can start effectively planning their wedding.
First, figure out who is paying for the wedding. Traditionally the brides parents pay for the wedding, but we have seen a trend in the bride and groom contributing to the wedding funds. It is important to know who will pay, and how much they will contribute to your wedding funds. Having a total budget in mind from the start will help keep you on track and avoid overspending.
Discuss what type of wedding you want. Indoor versus outdoor ceremony. Seated meal versus heavy hors d'oeuvres. There can be a big price difference when you start looking at what you want, versus what the budget will allow. Get a general idea of what you want will help when you start talking to vendors.
Next, decide what time of year you want to get married. Is there a specific date you want? Or maybe a season of the year you prefer. Narrowing it down to a month or season is your best bet of getting the venue and date you want. If you have your heart set on a certain date, especially neat ones like 11/11/11, you may be disappointed to find out every bride out there wants that date too, and vendors are already booked.
Finally, contact a wedding planner. This is your best way of getting everything you want, and not exceeding your budget. Planners know the cost of weddings, and they can tell you upfront if your budget and your vision are compatible. Don't take it personally if the planner tells you that your budget will not support all the things you have planned. The planner is trying to set realistic expectations.
For more information on wedding planners, check out the Premier Bride website, or check out my website at http://www.aggielandweddings.com/

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