This week I am pulling out my old notebook that I kept tons of notes in while wedding planning. I also loved using The Knot but I am a person who likes to have check lists on paper so I can cross stuff off and keep notes with me of everything I’ve done. I wanted to start with what I think should be the first five things for wedding planning because after you get engaged I know you’re left thinking now what? So today’s post is You’re Engaged! Now what?
Photo Source: Picjumbo
1. Set a budget, you really can’t do much until you know what you can spend. If you’ve never planned a wedding then it’s hard to know how much everything costs so ask family or friends who would be willing to share that info with you or google it but keep in mind they say a wedding these days costs $20,000 and I know of three that have come out at much less than that and they were gorgeous.
2. Once you have set a budget you need to decide what is the most important to you. Is it your photos? Is it your venue? Maybe you want delicious food or an unforgettable cake? Or maybe you are all about a designer dress. If you are working on a strict budget then you really have to decide where you want your money to go. For me a good photographer was really important. I love love pictures so I knew I wanted great wedding pictures.
3. Make a guest list and find a venue. You may have an exact date in mind, if so you might need to be flexible on your venue. But if you have an idea of a month or two you want your wedding in then start checking on venues and seeing when they are available and if they fit into your budget. Try not to be looking outside your budget because that will only depress you. Make sure you have a guest list and the rule of thumb is to expect 2/3 of your guest list to come to the wedding. So you can keep that number in mind when you are checking venues with restrictions for how many people.
4. Find your major vendors, caterer, photographer, cake, flowers, officiant, ceremony musicians and a DJ. These are the big vendors that you need to secure early on especially if your wedding is in a popular month. Once you have your venue and your date set then it’s time to secure all the other big vendors because the good ones book up fast! Be sure to read reviews and get recommendations if you know anyone who’s gotten married in the same city as you!
5. Breathe and relax, it is important to relax and enjoy this time of wedding planning. It is so much fun but in the first couple of weeks it can be really overwhelming and exciting. Everyone has their opinions on where your wedding should be and how you should do it. Ultimately you need to go with what you and your fiance want and what will work with your budget and most importantly your dream for your wedding. Because it is just that, YOUR wedding 🙂
I hope this is helpful to you! What other tips do you have for wedding planning? I’m learning more and more each wedding that I get to help with and I’m really enjoying it.
Happy Thursday!
Throwback Thursday Picture- Tyler and I as a newly engaged couple 🙂

Great advice! I’d love for you to come share it at the link party I am cohosting right now!
http://thefirstyearblog.com/2013/05/12/link-party-with-titi-crafty/
Beth @ The First Year Blog
Thanks Beth! I will head over there!
As someone who planned her own wedding four years ago, I’m nodding my head to all of these. Like you, I really poured most of my investment in photos…and my wedding dress. Monogrammed napkins? Fuggetaboutit. One tip I would add is to collect magazine images and photos online (in Pinterest) that inspire you…I got married in a pre-Pinterest world, but I made a Word doc. where I collected links to wedding photos and diy ideas to help inspire me as we planned! It was great fun.
Warmly,
Lauren
The Thinking Closet
Thanks for coming by Lauren! It’s really fun planning a wedding. I was glad Pintrest had just came around when I planned mine. I hope you will come back and follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
Emily
Great tips!!
We would love it if you would link up at our linky party: Two Girls and a Party Live every Wednesday to Sunday. Hosted by:
Dana @ This Silly Girl’s Life
Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
We hope to see you there!
Thank you for coming by! I am heading over now to check out your link party. Hope you will come back and visit us on Facebook or Twitter.
Emily
I got married almost 4 years ago (Yayyy it’ll be 4 on june 13th) and our wedding was very simple but so warm and lovely. Even though a big part of the budget came from our families we could make it on our style and in the way it would make us happy… and it did! I couldn’t agree more with all your tips! Awesome and wish you all the best!!!
I’m so happy that you stopped by and linked this up at Bewitch Me & Titi, thanks! Hope to have you back next Tomorrow with more amazing creations!
Hope you are having a lovely weekend
Hugs
Cami @ TitiCrafty by Camila
Thank you and thanks for coming by! I hope you will come back and follow us on Facebook or Twitter. My husband and my anniversary is in June as well 🙂
Emily