Okay, so he finally popped the question. You are reveling in your glory of being the future Mrs., and have been planning this day for as long as you can remember. The gown, the guests, the cake… it has all been clearly lined up since the day you were old enough to put a pillow case and a tiara on your own head and parade around in front of your parents.
And then the real world sets in, and you realize you don’t know the slightest thing about planning a wedding. Here are a few tips on just exactly where to start, before you even begin making calls to caterers or locations.
The biggest thing that you and Mr. Perfect need to discuss is the length of your engagement. Neither of you are going to be happy if you have the wedding of the century in mind, and he’s thinking a rented tux and a last minute flight to Las Vegas. Discuss what you both feel is important for your wedding, and compromise on any items that vastly differ. This is also a good time to discuss your wedding budget, as well as who exactly is paying for the wedding and if you plan on hiring a professional wedding coordinator.
Next, determine a date. Be sure to look at a calendar and keep holidays clear. Also, keep in mind any out of town guests by setting the date far enough in advance for them to make travel arrangements to and from the wedding. If your event is to take place on a Sunday evening, remember to keep it early enough that any traveling guests not staying in hotels can return home at a reasonable hour. Sit down and discuss the guest list and location in detail.
The following step may seem a little illogically out of order, but it is certainly one of the most vital. Get a gown game plan! Finding the perfect dress can be nothing short of a lengthy ordeal, and you want to be sure to give yourself plenty of time to find the perfect one. If you purchase one immediately, great! And if it takes much longer, then that is okay too. Just like you didn’t settle on finding your Prince Charming, you should not settle on finding the perfect dress.
Choosing your attendants is also a very important step. This can be done before or after the beginning of gown shopping, as having your bridesmaids with you while shopping can be a fun experience. The numbers of attendants is purely up to you and your beau, but choose carefully and remember that they are donating their money and time to help you. Keep them in the loop about all your plans, and remember to make them feel appreciated.
And, finally, as you continue through your wedding journey and start to make phone calls to florists and other vendors, keep in mind this is a joyous occasion! Don’t allow yourself to get stressed out. After all, you are the bride and this is your day to shine.
