Congratulations! You’re engaged and ready to start a new chapter in your life. It’s a huge milestone in your life and it can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out the next steps you need to take, after sharing the news with all your loved ones of course! Here are some things to take off your checklist after getting engaged.
1. Find a venue
Selecting a venue should be one of the first things on your list. Your venue is the most important thing and will influence almost everything else on the day of your wedding. Whether you dreamed of a rustic vineyard wedding or a tropical island bash, deciding on a venue first will allow everything else to fall in place more smoothly. Keep in mind if you are booking somewhere that requires you to bring in an outside caterer, and ensure that you book them as soon as possible.
2. Pick a date
Determine a date as soon as you can, especially if you plan on tying the knot within the next year or two. It’s better to figure out a date sooner than later and it’s good to have two or three potential dates just in case. Dates tend to book up quickly at desirable venues and having options will give you a higher chance of booking the venue you want. Also, be sure to check with your immediate friends and family to ensure there are no conflicts with the date chosen.
3. Budget
Figure out and prioritize what is really important to have at the wedding with your partner, and decide to spend the money on what you both agree on. This will help you get a sense of what your wedding will cost and where to focus your money towards. Do your research, get accurate numbers, and hash out all that uncomfortable money talk with your partner. When it comes to budgeting for a wedding, it’s a definite give and take.
4. Book your top vendors
Don’t wait to contact a band you’ve always had your heart set on. The earlier you get started, the less likely you will be disappointed if your vendor is booked. Good vendors book up fast and some may include your photographer, DJ or entertainment, and officiant.
5. Draft your guest list
Having an approximate headcount will help you figure out the number of things you need to purchase and the venue space. Whether you’re planning a big wedding or an intimate ceremony, having a handle on your headcount will definitely be beneficial. Give yourself lots of time for this step, as balancing your numbers to fit your wedding budget and venue capacity is not an easy task. It will also take time to collect your guests’ mailing address or email addresses for the invitations.
6. Organize an engagement party
From a small gathering at someone’s home to a lively cocktail party at a restaurant, you can customize your engagement party to suit your taste, style, and budget. An engagement party is a great way to kick off your celebrations, but it’s not necessary if it doesn’t fit your budget.
7. Schedule an engagement shoot
Engagement photo shoots are also optional but can be a great accompaniment to your invitations and to keep as memories. The photos can also be used at weddings for decoration or take-home gifts. Having a photoshoot ahead of time will give you the perfect opportunity to spend time with your photographer before the big day. A professional will be able to see how you and your fiance connect and interact, and can better direct you two on your wedding day for the best photo outcomes.
8. Start dress shopping
Get started on this as soon as you can because it can take months for your alterations to be done for your wedding dress to fit perfectly. It’s a good idea to do your research and have a budget. Start from the lowest end to the highest and ensure that you are trying on dresses realistic to your budget to avoid any disappointment.
9. Get inspired
Get inspired by going through bridal magazines or scrolling through Instagram. You can even start an inspiration board or a Pinterest board. This will help you get some ideas of what you want for your own wedding.
10. Check out a wedding show
Get some ideas by attending a wedding show. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in all things weddings. From gorgeous stationery ideas to floral trends, a wedding show will get you started on planning for your big day.
If you’re looking for a great event venue in Toronto, Château Le Jardin Event Venue function hall is the place to go. With over 38,000 square feet of beautifully appointed function space, the event venue provides fine catering services for all types of events, including, but not limited to, weddings, anniversaries, conferences, seminars, and holiday parties! We even have event coordinators, highly trained staff, entertainment, and decor services to ensure that your party will be what everyone is talking about for a long time. To learn more about the venue, contact us here.