He popped the question and the much awaited big day is coming.
What to do next are the big questions many couples have, and with the current changes in the industry, the more you know, the better equipped you will be, to ensure you have the right studio capturing your wedding day!
The first item on the list is to get organized and to start planning. This will allow you to have less stress about your wedding plans and most likely allow you to make all of your major arrangements well in advance of your wedding. There are many great resources, such as WeddingWire and TheKnot, out there for little or no cost to you, which allow you to track your budget, create a wedding check list and more.
Today, wedding resource web sites allow couples to do their shopping from home, your phone and on the go, as opposed to the traditional bridal shows, where couple can have an opportunity to greet and meet vendors.
Before you begin to shop, I strongly recommend establishing an e-mail address specifically for vendor e-mail solicitations and communication. Although these solicitations may be spam in your personal e-mail box they can also be a great way to find a good deal or establish a dialogue with a potential vendor.
Here is a list based on our decades of experience of what you should consider first.
1. Pick A Date (That may also be based on the availability of the next Item, your location)
2. Select A Ceremony and Reception Location (For those looking for May and June, or September and October, you will want to start looking immediately as they are the most popular months for a wedding and book up quickly.
3. Select A Photographer and Videographer. (Preferable from the same company, so that the crew will be familiar with one another, and complement each other while capturing your wedding. This part is critical, because this will be the memories you have of your wedding day forever, and leaving them to last minute could end in you booking whoever is available and not whoever is the most reputable.
4. Select A DJ: Music and Entertainment are critical to any event, especially a wedding. You DJ sets the tone for the entire night and good one will book quickly and book early.
5. The Dress: Our advice is to visit a dress shop where the experts will advise on the style which best compliments your physique and style. From that point on you can do some research. Once you select your dress, be ready for multiple fittings and alterations. The earlier you ge the dress the more time you will have to make last minute alterations, if needed.
6. Flowers, Hair and Make-Up and Transportation are items which you can do closer to the wedding date however, the earlier you reserve the additional services you want the less tress you will have when your big day approaches.
Congratulation on your engagement and do not forget the most important item, HAVE FUN, IT’S YOUR WEDDING!