Recently Engaged? Start Here!
Did you recently get engaged? Let me be the first to congratulate you! By now, you have probably had time to basque in the excitement of being newly engaged. You are eager to start planning, but you need help figuring out where to start. That's okay! Here is a list of my top 5 places to start.
Number 1 - Sharing the News
You have just said yes and are proud to say you are engaged. But how do you tell those you love the most? Before you run to social media, pause and consider those you should tell over the phone or, better yet, in person. Make a list of people closest to you both and figure out how you want to tell them the news, so it is coming directly from you instead of a post. Once you get through that list, post away!
Number 2 - Create a Budget
I will let you in on a secret! The budget you start with now will probably be different from the budget at the end of the day. But figuring out who will help pay for the wedding is a great place to start. Some of you may have to pay for everything on your own. While others may be getting help from family and friends. Either way, having a good idea of what you want to spend when everything is said and done will establish those guardrails as you begin to plan. Just allow yourself to be flexible with your budget and develop some rules about where you are willing to flex and where you are not.
Number 3 - Date and Place
Some of you might know what time of year you want to get married, while others may know the exact venue. Either way, you are off to a great start! Figuring out what season or time of year is a great way to think broadly, and then you can narrow down a few dates from there. If you have a venue in mind, be ready to have a few dates prepared just in case you find out your date is already taken by another couple. When considering which date to pick, remember major holidays, sporting events like the Superbowl or world series, or major award shows. Not because you can't choose those dates for your wedding, but because you'll want to know what you are competing against. A 3-day holiday weekend, though, can benefit your wedding date, especially if you have people traveling from out of town.
Number 4 - Your Dream Team
By no means do you need to book all your wedding vendors right away, but start thinking if you have specific wedding pros you have wanted to work with. If you have particular people in mind, reach out to them first. That way, you can see if they are available and see if they can recommend other vendors. This way, you are not having to do all the work of finding vendors yourself. Remember, your dream team of vendors will have their own list of preferred vendors they work with and will gladly recommend them.
Pro Tip: Need help figuring out where to start? Head to Instagram and start with a hashtag search, or go to your favorite wedding publication and see who they have featured.
Number 5 - Your Guest List
This is another one of those things you are not cementing into place just yet. But it's a good exercise just listing everyone and anyone you think you would want to celebrate you on your wedding day. Don't leave anyone out. You can go back and edit your list later. Once you have all your names written out, you can gauge whether that number feels like too much or just right. Then once you are ready to really nail down that list, you can go back and start cutting people until you get to a number that feels right.
Whether you do any or all of these things, you are going to be just fine. If you need a wedding planner in Orange County, California, I am your guy!
Events by Frank is a gay wedding planner in Southern California ready to help you take your wedding to the next level. Reach out today to learn how I can help you on your wedding day!
