He popped
the question. You said yes. Now what? These 10 things will help you figure out
what to do first—and how to enjoy every second of the wedding planning process.
Congratulations!
You're engaged. These 10 to-dos—from the fun (get a manicure!) to the
nitty-gritty (set your budget)—will get you organized, on track, and well on
your way to planning the best wedding ever.
1. Call
your VIPs
Share the
big news with your inner circle before updating your status on Facebook. It's
not cool for your acupuncturist to find out before Grandma.
2. Get your
engagement ring insured.
It may not
be the most thrilling task in the world, but if your engagement ring falls down
the garbage disposal, flies off a rollercoaster, or sheds a diamond or two,
you'll be ever-so-glad you got that precious stone insured.
3. Get a
manicure
Everyone's
eyes will be on your hand, so grab your BFF, splurge on a professional mani,
and start showing off that sparkler.
4. Enjoy
the moment
Being
engaged means you get to plan the wedding of your dreams. But it also means
that you just committed to spending the rest of your life with your soul mate.
Take some time (at least a couple of weeks) to savor how epically romantic that
is before you dive into logistics.
5. Start
dreaming
This is the
fun part: brainstorming with your guy about the big day. Compare fantasies
(tequila tastings! beach vows!), and sign up for a Pinterest account to create
an online inspiration board. Go crazy—you can refine things after you've picked
your venue.
6. Add up
your wedding budget
Ready to
get down to the nitty-gritty? Settle on a rough guest list and budget. Without
them, you can't book the right venue and vendors for your price point.
7. Get out
your calendar
Have a
range of dates in mind before you tour venues. Are you envisioning a spring
garden wedding, or fall I do's in the woods? Do you want to honeymoon in
Yosemite, or cruise the Caribbean? The answers will help steer you toward your
ideal time of year. Tip: Ask engaged friends when they're getting hitched, so
you can avoid those dates.
8. Hire a
wedding planning pro
If you want
to work with a wedding planner, book her before you choose your venue.
9. Find a
wedding venue
Your venue
will influence every decision you make, from your color scheme to the style of
your dress, so lock it down early. The key is finding one that meshes with your
vision (black-tie ballroom, modern minimalist, etc.). And don't be afraid to
think beyond the banquet hall.
10. Stay
organized
This is not
the kind of party you can throw together at the last minute. Stay on track by
creating a comprehensive timeline of your wedding to-dos.
source: http://www.brides.com/
