You said yes! Congratulations! Now what? We put together some of the key next steps after getting engaged to set yourself up for wedding planning success!

Choose your Date and Venue – The when and where are the first steps, and what everyone will be asking you about. Once you pin down the date and venue it makes inquiring with other vendors, creating save the dates, and working on all the other details much easier.

Work on a Guest List – Knowing how many guests your venue will hold can help you determine a guest list. We recommend each of you writing down all close family and friends who absolutely must be invited and going from there. Also consider plus ones, children, and possible guests who need to travel and may not be able to make it!

Throw an Engagement Party – Have some fun! Within the first couple weeks plan an engagement party so you can celebrate with your loved ones. All you need is some light refreshments, music, and those who are closest to you! This can also be a good time to announce your wedding party.

Breakdown your Budget – Time to get into the nitty gritty. Work on creating a budget before you start booking vendors so you know how much you can spend in each category. Consider your monthly earnings and savings but be careful with borrowed money or factoring in any bonuses you have not received yet.

Book Your Top Vendors – Don’t waste any time! Top vendors book up to a year ahead of time. When inquiring to vendors such as caterers, florists, and entertainment, always include your date and venue in the subject to maintain a clear email thread. Take the time to hop on a call to make sure you see eye to eye on the vision of your wedding day.