Your Just-Engaged Checklist: A Simple Guide to Starting Your Wedding Planning Journey
Congratulations on your engagement! Now that you’ve said "yes," it’s time to start thinking about the next steps. Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ve created a simple checklist to help keep you organized and stress-free as you start the wedding planning process. Here’s your just-engaged checklist to help you get started!
1. Celebrate the Moment
Before diving into planning, take a moment to enjoy the excitement of your engagement. Whether it's a quiet evening together or a small celebration with family and friends, give yourselves time to soak it all in. This is a huge moment in your lives, so don’t rush into the next steps.
2. Share the News with Family and Friends
Once you’ve had your moment, it’s time to spread the word. Call or text your closest family and friends first, and let them hear the news directly from you. After that, go ahead and share your joy on social media. This is a fun time to celebrate with the people who matter most to you.
3. Set a Loose Wedding Date or Timeline
It might feel like you have all the time in the world, but it’s helpful to set a general idea of when you’d like to get married. Do you want a wedding in the next year or further down the road? Having a rough timeline can guide your decisions, from choosing venues to locking in vendors. Even if the date isn’t set in stone, having a target will help you move forward with your planning.
4. Discuss Your Wedding Budget
It’s time to talk about money — don’t skip this step! Sit down with your partner and decide on a budget that works for both of you. Consider how much you’re willing to spend and whether anyone will be contributing financially. Once you have an idea of your budget, break it down into categories like venue, catering, and photographer so you can keep track of your spending.
5. Start Gathering Inspiration for Your Wedding
Now comes the fun part: imagining your dream wedding! Create a wedding vision board using Pinterest or a physical board to collect ideas. Whether you want something casual, elegant, or unique, gathering inspiration will help you understand the vibe and feel you both want. This will be helpful as you begin making decisions about the venue, decorations, and theme.
6. Consider Hiring a Wedding Planner or Coordinator
If the idea of managing everything on your own feels overwhelming, hiring a wedding planner or coordinator might be the solution. A planner can help you find vendors, manage the timeline, and ensure everything runs smoothly. If you prefer to plan on your own, there are plenty of apps and online resources that can help you stay organized.
Remember, this is your time to enjoy, so don’t feel pressured to have everything figured out right away. By following this just-engaged checklist, you can take things step by step and make the wedding planning process less stressful. Here’s to a joyful and exciting journey ahead!
KIND WORDS
“Sam and Sola are incredible! They were, by far, the best vendors at our wedding. However, we don’t like to think of them as vendors because we feel like they are now our friends. Our experience with them was completely personalized and our photos turned out so beautiful they brought us to tears.”