| Congratulations on your recent engagement! With | | | | Make a point to attend bridal shows in your area |
| the holidays over, you can now focus exclusively | | | | to get an idea of possible vendors while planning |
| on planning your wedding day. You have a long | | | | your wedding. Oftentimes, the vendors are |
| road ahead of you, and a lot of decisions waiting | | | | present to hand out vouchers or special deals for |
| in the 'nuptial pipeline.' Don't let that stress get the | | | | attendants. Just make sure to register ahead of |
| best of you though - use these tips specifically | | | | time as bridal events usually fill up quickly. You'll |
| geared to newly engaged couples! | | | | also want to start choosing your bridesmaids and |
| Five Simple Steps for Newly Engaged Couples! | | | | maid or matron of honor to help alleviate the |
| Step #1 - The Engagement Party: First off, you | | | | stress of planning your own wedding. The last |
| should celebrate the fact that you're newly | | | | thing you want to deal with is flaky bridesmaids, |
| engaged -- enlist the help of some friends to | | | | so choose wisely. |
| throw an engagement party with your loved ones | | | | Step #5 - The Location and Vendors: Wedding |
| to announce the good news. This fete doesn't | | | | venues -- for both the ceremony and reception -- |
| have to be extravagant and expensive. A small | | | | get booked fast, so you'll need to fly into action. |
| house party can create the same intimate scene. | | | | If you attended a bridal show, you may have |
| You'll also receive the good wishes of your loved | | | | learned about venues in your area, or you've |
| ones, and perhaps acquire a few willing volunteers | | | | done a little research about planning a wedding on |
| to help you through the challenges of planning a | | | | your own. Bring along your fiancé to look |
| wedding. | | | | at each of your favorite venues in person, |
| Step #2 - Setting a Date for the Wedding Day: | | | | making sure to ask questions such as: |
| Next on your agenda should be setting a date for | | | | (1) How many people can the venue |
| the wedding. Here we are, a brand new year | | | | accommodate? |
| ahead of us. Depending on how elaborate you | | | | (2) Is there a catering service on site? |
| want the wedding to be determines which date | | | | (3) Are there enough restrooms for all of your |
| you select. Of course, there are highlights of each | | | | guests? |
| season. A spring wedding, though lovely, would | | | | (4) What is the payment schedule and, |
| likely have to occur the following year if chosen. | | | | subsequently, the cancellation policy? |
| The downside is that both spring and summer | | | | (5) Are the facilities wheelchair accessible? |
| weddings are more expensive than those that | | | | (6) What is the policy on alcohol? |
| occur in the autumn or winter. Weddings that fall | | | | (7) Is there enough parking for X amount of |
| on holidays are a good option as well since much | | | | guests? |
| of the church or venue you settle on will already | | | | (8) Are there any limitations on decorations? |
| be decorated for said holiday. Many couples send | | | | Take a tour with the wedding's coordinator and |
| out a Save the Date card to inform loved ones | | | | think it over. Look at all your options before |
| of their newly engaged status and remind their | | | | selecting the right one. You'll also need to consider |
| friends and family of the impending wedding day. | | | | other vendors when planning a wedding. Do you |
| Many online companies now offer | | | | want a DJ or a live band? If so, you'll want to |
| easy-to-customize templates that can be printed | | | | book as soon as possible. Caterers get slammed |
| and shipped to you in just a few days time. You | | | | during the high season (spring and summer |
| can even make your own Save the Date cards | | | | months) as well, so make contacting them high on |
| with a little ingenuity and basic computer skills. | | | | your to-do list. |
| Step #3 - The Details: Your next perhaps most | | | | Planning a Wedding While Savoring the Simple |
| important action when newly engaged should be a | | | | Moments |
| frank chat with your intended about planning the | | | | Just remember, planning your wedding day is |
| wedding. Lay out what each person wants in the | | | | what you make of it! Getting everything in order |
| day, either verbally or on paper. Discuss themes, | | | | can be stressful, but don't lose your head. Rely on |
| colors, foods, venues, music, and all the various | | | | your bridesmaids, mother, friends, and loved ones |
| details that make up a wedding and ceremony. | | | | to help you tackle one thing at a time. If things do |
| You'll also need to set a realistic budget if you are | | | | begin to be too much, consider what a |
| paying for part or all of it. Today's weddings are | | | | professional wedding planner can do for you. |
| incredibly expensive if all the bells and whistles are | | | | Oftentimes, they can negotiate better rates since |
| pulled out, so you'll want to identify well in | | | | they know reliable vendors around town. |
| advance what can realistically be afforded. | | | | Above all, have fun being newly engaged, planning |
| Step #4 - Research: Being newly engaged, you | | | | your wedding, and getting closer to your special |
| may want to do some research of your own. | | | | loved one! |