It’s the moment you’ve always been waiting for. He finally popped the big question and you’re getting hitched!
Congratulations! Now it’s time for the fun part.
By now you have probably peeled your eyes away from the shiny bling adorning your ring finger long enough to have that “how do you plan a wedding?” fleet of panic. But, if you have been engaged long enough for the initial excitement to wear off, then this is definitely a familiar feeling. Navigating dress shops, venues, and the endless lists of familial suggestions and expectations can be overwhelming and stressful, but having a wedding to do list can ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Below is your custom to-do list to help you and your significant other navigate your recent engagement.
Bask in Engaged Bliss
Before launching into the crazy whirlwind of wedding planning, you should take some time for you and your significant other to enjoy your newly engaged bliss. Pop open a bottle of bubbly, take some enviable Instagram photos, and bask in the ethereal glow of your new bling.
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- Call your parentsDon’t forget to inform your parents of the happy news (chances are they already knew and are just waiting to hear the happy news). If you aren’t concerned about keeping your engagement private, why not call your siblings and closest friends as well?
- Get a manicure
Your hands will be in the spotlight for the next couple of weeks, which means your manicure better be on fleek. When you show off your ring, the last thing you want people to focus on is your chipped nail polish and dry hands.
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- Make it social media officialTake a sweet ring picture or, if the proposal was caught on camera, don’t forget to share the love with your friends and family. And remember, you’re not official until you’re ‘Facebook official.’
- Cheers!
Call up your closest amigos and celebrate. Every happily ever after deserves to be toasted at least once, twice, or for however long the champagne lasts.
Have a Timeline
The first thing to do after you finish basking in your engagement bliss is sit down with your fiancé and set a timeline. Consider:
The length of your engagement: Some people wait a year to tie the knot and others jump in within weeks or months of putting a ring on it. Finishing university or the desire to wait for a specific month or season could be significant factors that determine the length of your engagement.
Picking a date: Once you have decided the length of your engagement, you will need to pick a date. Once the word gets out that you are getting married, everyone will want to know when the big day will be and deciding on a time early on will help the planning process stay on track. Besides, the earlier you can tell guests when your wedding will be, the more likely they will be able to attend.
Set a Budget
It is no secret that weddings can be costly. Knowing your limit is probably the most important step to figuring out your wedding details. Talk to your significant other and find out what works for you. You might even want to consider asking your family if they would like to contribute to the actual day rather than providing a wedding gift – depending on how luxurious you want to go.
Saying ‘I Do’ should not include racking up a whole lot of unnecessary debt. Below are a couple of easy steps to consider when setting your budget:
- Find out who can contribute
- Crunch the numbers to determine how much you can afford
- Estimate your guest count
- Decide on your non-negotiables (venue, food, or dress)
- Know all the hidden costs
- Have a really good calculator on hand
Find Your Wedding Style
Finding your wedding style involves bringing the flowers, lighting, and textures together into a cohesive vision. There is an endless amount of wedding-related decor and ideas on the market. Knowing whether you want a traditional, cultural, modern, rustic, or themed wedding will help you focus on what details will bring your big day to life.
Having a clear style will also help you communicate with your vendors and wedding party effectively. If you know what you want, everyone else will know how best to help you make decisions and achieve your dreams.
Start the Guest List
Your guest list can only be determined after you have decided what kind of wedding you will be having. If it is a destination wedding, it will be small; if you plan on hosting it in your local cathedral, you will need to fill all those pews. However, once you have your preliminary vision established, you will have a good idea of who you will be included in the festivities.
Talk with close family members about who they’d like to invite. There will definitely be old family friends and an eccentric aunt or two that will be added to the invite list. Decide how many “Plus-One” invitations you want to extend. If you are running on a tight budget, plus-ones are a good way to make a wedding grow beyond your means.
Lastly, invest in plenty of colour coded sticky notes. Keep organized and everything with be alright.
Find a Venue
Find a hall that will accommodate your vision. Whether you get married on a beach, in a forest, or on top of a mountain, you want to pick a location that will cater to your needs. Venues like Le Jardin are designed to be your one-stop-shop when it comes to planning your big day. They will provide you with staff, a planner, and an entire array of decor to choose from.
You are newly engaged! Relax and don’t stress the details. Focus on the moment and everything will surely fall right into place.
To book an event, call Le Jardin at (905) 851-2200 today or visit us on-site at 8440 Hwy 27 in Woodbridge, ON. No matter what you’re planning, we look forward to making your next event a memorable one!
