Your Wedding Coach: Newly Engaged? Here's a Plan
The holidays are a huge time for engagements. If there is a ring in your future or you just got a ring over the holidays, here's what you need to do to start the wedding planning.
Of course you're excited. You need to call everyone and shout it from the rooftops. Do what you have to do as far as announcing it, but put the brakes on immediate wedding plans. Take a week or two for the excitement to subside so you don't make any planning mistakes. Don't immediately rush out and sign contracts! Enjoy the moment!
You and your fiance need to set a date. Together. One that mutually will fit into your life.
You need to agree on a place. Whether its a church, a garden or a destination wedding, you need to discuss the location.
You need to define your wedding. Formal, informal, reception hall, event center, backyard barbecue.
You need to set a budget and determine who is paying for what part of the wedding. Don't assume your parents are willing to foot the bill for a fairytale extravaganza or that his parents are going to host the rehearsal dinner, provide the liquor and pay for the honeymoon. Talk to your parents individually to see what, if any, financial help they are willing OR able to give.
Attend bridal shows. January and February are the prime time for bridal shows. This will give you a chance to do a face to face with all sorts of wedding vendors. Bridal shows offer discounts for bookings either at the show or by making an appointment after the show. You can compare florists, DJ's, makeup artists and more. Look at the wedding dresses in the show. Make appointments to interview vendors. You SHOULD take the time after the show to look at photographer's and florists' portfolios BEFORE you sign any contracts. If its a caterer, make an appointment for a tasting. Make an appointment to try on wedding dresses.
Get references. Ask for names of previous customers. Ask your friends who just got married if they would recommend their vendors. Call the Better Business Bureau.
Realize that weddings take time to pull together. While I am advocating NOT jumping into any contracts or being pressured into a purchase, you also need to order your wedding items or book your vendors in a timely manner. You'll need to order your wedding dress at least 6 months in advance. Wedding dresses have a lot of hand beading that takes time to produce. They are like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. Many vendors are booked in more than a year in advance. Don't expect everyone to be available for you in an instant's notice.
PLAN AHEAD! Make a decision, cross it off your list and to on to the next item at hand. Once you've settled on a wedding item, stop shopping and purchase it. Don't second guess yourself. Don't even think about changing your mind. Your first impulse is usually the correct one. If you are making a horrible mistake, someone ,whether it be a family member or your wedding vendor, will tell you its a mistake. I would never let anyone walk out of my bridal shop in an unflattering dress or blend horrible colors for the bridesmaids. I'll tell you upfront that its wrong.
If a vendor is high pressuring you to buy, RUN! There is a national wedding dress chain that is notorious for high pressure sales. The sales consultants are commission and under pressure to sell. Not a week goes by where a bride doesn't come in and tell us of her regret for buying her wedding dress under pressure. Don't knuckle under to pressure by any vendor. If time is a constraint, they may be telling you the truth. You can't magically produce a dress, but if you have 6 or more months, don't cave to pressure.
PS CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Comments or questions? Fire away!
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