Congratulations! You just got engaged on the most romantic day of the year! Now, it’s time to start planning your dream wedding. Read on to find out what the first five steps are and start making your special day a reality.
Congrats on Your Engagement!
If you’ve just gotten engaged on Valentine’s Day, congratulations! This is an exciting time in your life, and we know you’re eager to start planning your dream wedding. Here are the first steps to take to get started:
- Sit down with your fiance and discuss your vision for the wedding. What kind of atmosphere do you want to create? What style of wedding do you envision? Do you want a small, intimate affair or a large, lavish celebration? Once you have a general idea of what you both want, you can start narrowing down potential venues and vendors.
- Start collecting ideas. Whether it’s tearing pages out of magazines or creating a secret Pinterest board, start gathering inspiration for your big day. This will help you communicate your vision to potential vendors and also get a feel for what kind of options are out there.
- Begin budgeting. Wedding planning can get expensive quickly, so it’s important to have a realistic budget in mind from the start. Determine how much money you have to work with and start allocating funds to different aspects of the wedding accordingly. This will help keep things on track as you move forward with planning.
- Set a date (and reserve a venue!). Once you have an idea of the size and scope of your wedding, it’s time to pick a date and reserve a venue. If you’re flexible with dates, try to choose one that falls during off-peak season ( typically
Step 1: Setting a Budget
If you’re like most couples, you probably didn’t expect to get engaged on Valentine’s Day. But now that the moment has arrived, it’s time to start planning your dream wedding! The first step is to set a budget.
You’ll need to determine how much you can afford to spend on your wedding without going into debt. Start by looking at your savings and income. Then, consider any contributions from family or friends. Once you have a rough idea of your budget, you can start planning where to allocate those funds.
The biggest expense will likely be the venue, so it’s important to choose wisely. If you’re set on a particular location, be sure to check for discounts or special rates for booking on a weekday or during off-peak months.
Other major expenses include the catering, cake, photographer, videographer, band or DJ, flowers, and transportation. Once you’ve accounted for all of the big-ticket items, you’ll also need to factor in smaller costs like invitations, favors, and decorations.
By taking the time to set a budget and understand your financial limitations from the start, you’ll be able to plan a wedding that is both beautiful and affordable.
Step 2: Choosing a Venue
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a venue for your wedding. You’ll need to decide if you want an indoor or outdoor wedding, and then narrow down your choices based on location, price, and availability.
If you’re set on having an indoor wedding, start by looking at banquet halls, hotels, and restaurants. If you’re open to either indoor or outdoor, look at parks, gardens, and other scenic locations. Once you’ve decided on a general location, start contacting venues to get more information and check availability.
When you’re considering a venue, make sure to ask about the rental fee, any restrictions on decorating or noise levels, and whether or not they have insurance in case of bad weather. You’ll also want to get a sense of the staff’s professionalism and see if they’re able to accommodate your guest list. Once you’ve found a few potential venues that meet your needs, it’s time to start comparing prices and booking your dream wedding location!
Step 3: Deciding on the Date
The date of your wedding should be special to you for many reasons. It will be the day that you and your partner start your life together as husband and wife. It should be a day that is memorable and unique, which is why many couples choose to get married on a significant anniversary or holiday. If you are stuck on deciding on a date, here are a few things to consider:
-The time of year you want to get married: Spring and summer are popular choices for weddings, but there are beautiful weddings held during every season. Fall and winter can offer stunning backdrops for photos and cozy fireside receptions. Consider what time of year works best for you and your guests when making your decision.
-Your venue availability: Once you have chosen your dream venue, check their availability before nailing down a date. Some venues book up far in advance, so you’ll want to make sure they have your date open before finalizing anything.
-Your budget: Weddings can be expensive, so it’s important to consider your budget when choosing a date. If you’re looking to save money, weekday weddings or off-season dates may be the way to go or having a long engagement to save more.
No matter what date you choose for your wedding, make sure it is meaningful to you and your fiance. The most important thing is that you start your marriage off with love and happiness!
Step 4: Hiring Vendors
When it comes to wedding vendors, there are a few key players that you’ll need to hire in order to pull off your dream day. Here are the four main vendors you should consider hiring for your wedding:
- Venue: The first and arguably most important vendor you’ll need to book is your wedding venue. Start by nailing down the date of your wedding, then start looking at venues that fit both your budget and your guest list. Once you find a few contenders, schedule tours and be sure to ask lots of questions! Check out some awesome Colorado Wedding Venues here!
- Photographer: A good photographer will be able to capture all the special moments on your big day, so it’s worth investing in a pro. Do some research online and look at portfolios before making your decision. Check out some amazing Colorado Wedding Photographers here!
- Florist: Florals can really make or break a wedding, so it’s important to find a florist that you click with. Meet with a few different florists and share your vision for your big day. Be sure to get an estimate upfront so there are no surprises later on.
- Catering: Last but not least, you’ll need to hire a caterer to take care of food on your big day. Start by making a list of must-haves, then start reaching out to catering companies that fit both your budget and style. Be sure to ask for sample menus and pricing options before making your
Step 5: Creating a Wedding Website
The wedding website is a great way to keep all your wedding information in one place and share it with your guests. You can use a free service like WeddingWire or create your own website using a platform like WordPress.
When creating your website, be sure to include important details like your wedding date, location, and registry information. You can also use your website to share photos and videos from your engagement and wedding planning process.
Congratulations on your engagement! We hope this article has inspired you to create an unforgettable wedding that is uniquely yours. The steps outlined above are a great starting point for planning the big day, but don’t forget to get creative and make it special in other ways as well. With the right preparation and support, your dream wedding can come true!
Need More Inspiration? Find more wedding vendors, inspirational blog posts on Real Colorado Weddings and Tips on Planning on Hitched In CO!