Congratulations! If you're reading this post, that means you or someone you are super close to just got engaged. It is so surreal, yet totally happening, and the days that will follow that proposal are guaranteed to be a whirlwind. Years of planning, watching Say Yes to The Dress, and creating your dream wedding pinterest board has not prepared you for what is to come next! There is no reason for you to get overwhelmed, We are here to help you with those first few steps, here is your Things to do after you get engaged check list from a photographers perspective.
Step 1: Call all of your family and best friends to share the news. I totally recommend face timing them so that you see their expression, and get to share that sparkly new jewel on your left hand. There is always the option to go share the news in person!
Step 2; After everyone close to you knows, go get a manicure and a Mrs. coffee mug! Take a cute selfie with your ring and show the world on social media that you are officially engaged!!
Step 3: Think About a Month that You Would Like to Tie the Knot With Your Significant Other! Even pick out some good dates that would be good possibilities. Venues get booked months and even years in advance, so you will want to think about this as soon as you get engaged. Remember to consider family when picking this date, make sure everyone important will be able to make it that weekend!
Step 4: Research Your Dream Venue. Ofcourse, I recommend setting up a free Knot account to research all venues and services, but definitely to some google searches as well! You can't book a date until you find the perfect venue! If you already have a place in mind, call and get pricing and availability! I suggest getting 3-4 venues that you absolutely love the look, the aesthetics, and the price, and book a tour. You can decide on the best choice after seeing a few of your favorites!
Step 5: Decide on a Budget With Family! Whether you're going big or keeping it small, being on the same page about this one is so important. Get your family's input if it matters to either of you or if they'll be footing the bill. Once you've agreed on a rough guest count and budget, you can commit to a venue. Money talks, but unfortunately, no one likes to talk about money. It can be, well, awkward. However, before you can really move forward with any of your wedding plans, this is a discussion that has to be had, be it between you and your spouse, or you, your spouse, and the parents. Everyone should agree to who is in charge of what bills, and the budget for you to stay under. Be upfront with the cost of some of the vendors you want, and be reasonable with their wishes as well.
Step 6: Get Your Party to Help! Choose with your fiancé who all will stand by your side. Ask those individuals, and let them know exactly what you expect out of them as a bridesmaid\groomsmen. Also let them know their financial obligations! When asking, Etsy has the cutest boxes to pop the question to your besties!
Step 6: Gather Wedding Inspiration and Book the Wedding Venue that Best Fits Your Vision! After playing around on the knot, facebook, and Pinterest, you should have a good idea of what you want your day to look like. Book your wedding venue and the date that you will say I do. After you set the date you can see what vendors are available that day!
Step 7: Research and Interview Photographers. I suggest using The knot, google searches, and friend's recommendations to find the best photographer for your day. Be sure to consider style, price, and business friendly. Styles range from light and airy to dark and moody with photographers. Know what you expect and also consider the theme/style of your wedding and venue. If you have a lot of white and flowery backgrounds at an outdoor venue you are going to to want a bright and airy photographer. If you are going to have dark backgrounds and indoor weddings in the fall time, you may want a dark and moody photographer.
You will want to get engagement pictures atleast 8 months before the wedding so that you have time for cancellations, bad weather, etc. & they will be done well before it is time to send save the dates out (6 months before the wedding).
Bridals will need to be done atleast 2 months prior to the wedding if you want to display a large print at your reception!
To get my pricing guide or engagement style guide Contact me here !
Step 8: Research and Interview ALL other Vendors. You'll need to search rehearsal dinner venues, florist, caterers, bakery's, dress shops, officiants, beauty artists, photobooths, and DJ's! Also think about hiring a wedding planner for the day of, or decide on a family member to help coordinate everything! You'll want to have all other vendors chosen atleast 3 months prior to the wedding. But Remember that a lot of vendors book up a year to 6 months in advance! Book early to ensure you have the vendor you want, and don't get stuck with someone thats ehhh in your opinion.
Step 9: Pick a Dress and Have it Altered Pronto! It sometimes will take months for a dress to come in, and even longer to alter to your body! Do this Super Early in the Planning Process to ensure it will be done in time for Bridals and The Wedding Day! Planning ahead keeps everything stress FREE!
Step 10: Make Sure to Stop & Soak it All In! Wedding Planning goes by so quickly, don't stress about it. Make sure to just be happy in this wonderful season of your life. You will only have a fiancé for a short period of time. Take advantage of this sweet moment in your life, and make sure that it is both of Yall's DREAM wedding!!!! It really does fly by SOOO FAST!!
Im here for all of your Wedding Photography needs, planning, etc! Let me know if you have any questions by contacting me, and I would be honored to be a part of your BIG DAY.
XOXO,
Brittany