Your engagement is indeed a special, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Days after the proposal, the bright engagement ring on your finger may still seem surreal and you will be reeling from the excitement of the proposal.
Enjoy every moment of this phase! Nevertheless, there are certain tasks you cannot put aside for later. The wedding planning experts at Best for Bride, Canada tell us what they are.
Inform your family and close friends
The social media announcements can wait. Your family and close friends deserve to know the happy news first. Inform both sets of parents first and then the rest of your family and friends. Do this over the phone or through a private message and they are sure to appreciate it. Once you have informed the people who are closest to you, let the rest of the world know.
Discuss your wedding dreams
Family and friends will want to know all about your wedding plans. Before you speak to them, discuss your wedding day ideas with your fiancé. Try to understand each other’s vision of the perfect wedding and come to a compromise on when and where your wedding will be. This can also help with venue and facilities planning.
Celebrate the big event
Your engagement calls for a celebration, and you get to decide how big or small it is. You can go all out and have a big bash with all your friends and family or keep it small and intimate with just the two of you. Nevertheless, make sure you have a special celebration on this account. This post on the Brides website has valuable advice for newly engaged couples to plan a great engagement party.
Fix a tentative date
Wedding planning is a momentous task. The earlier you start it, the better your chances of having all the wedding details you want. Start with just the wedding date. If not a specific date, at least decide upon the time of year to have your wedding. Everyone you know will also want to know when the wedding is, when you announce your engagement. Therefore, having an idea will allow you to give your well-wishers a little direction.
Work on the budget
Prepare your wedding budget and take the stress out of wedding planning. It may not be possible to figure out the exact distribution of funds at this stage. However, you can find out how much each of you can contribute. This will help you decide how big or small you want your wedding to be. It will also help with research on venue, vendors and other wedding planning aspects. For all the factors to consider when making your wedding budget, visit this post on the Knot website.
Sign up for an engagement photo shoot
As you celebrate this special phase in your life, document memories with stunning engagement photos. A pre-wedding photography session by a professional wedding photographer will help you gear up for actual wedding photography. It will allow you to get comfortable with your photographer’s style of working. Capture some beautiful glimpses into your life at a meaningful spot, in your unique style with this photography session. You can also use these photos in your save-the-date cards, invitations or favors. Check out this post on the Bridal Guide for inspiration on planning your engagement photos.
Begin a wedding planning board
A wedding planning board will help you with research and getting your ideas organized. There are plenty of options to consider. You can create a Pinterest board to compile images of your favorite elements for inspiration. On the other hand, make a folder on your computer with images; excel sheets and to-do lists for overall organization of ideas. Mood boards will help you compile all your ideas in one place and add or remove ideas as your vision develops.
Explore wedding planning apps
Digital tools make wedding planning much easier. There are several mobile applications to organize and simplify every part of the planning from the attire, vendor co-ordination, décor ideas and documentation. The best part of using these tools is that you can do your wedding planning anywhere and at any time. All data will be available in one place, so you can simply pick up from where you last left off. Since each tool is different, it is best to explore your options and find one that suits your style. Learn more about the many options available on this guide on the Brides website.
Start the search for sales and trunk shows
Trunk shows are a terrific way to score brand new designer dresses at bargain prices. Wedding shops host trunk shows once or twice a year. Enquire about the schedule of the next one at the bridal shops near you and plan your wedding dress shopping at that time. Also, subscribe to social media channels and newsletters of bridal boutiques carrying your favorite designer to receive prompt alerts of upcoming trunk shows and discount sales.
Do something fun
Before you dive into detailed wedding planning, take some time to unwind and enjoy your new-found relationship status. Go away for the weekend, have a fancy dinner, or return to the place where you first met to just relax and relive happy memories. Enjoy each other’s company and discuss your goals and future. This will prep you for the tedious wedding planning that lies ahead.
Author Bio: The modern bride’s all-in-one wedding destination, Best for Bride is Canada’s leading wedding dress chain. Apart from wedding dresses, bridal accessories, and wedding day services, they also stock bridal party dress collections and dresses for special occasions. Learn about their extensive collections and services by visiting the Best for Bride website.