Just became engaged 3 months ago

[CornyCow04]

Im kind of a vigin to this whole wedding things as i only got engaged a short while ago. So what comes next????

[Kacie_bride]

Have you set a date yet? That is probably the thing (in my opinion) that needs to come next.

[The Wedding Diva]

Welcome to the engagement period and to the board!

Yes, the first thing you will want to do is to set a date! Keep in mind holidays, off-seasons, etc. Next, set a budget and tell a lie about how you will stick to it. Next, tell your budget amount to someone close to you so that you are accountable.

There are lots of timelines and such all over the internet. Try to pick up a planner from your local book store, or try to compile one of your own. I really like the Martha Stewart Keepsake Wedding Planner because it is SO organized and resembles one I give to my brides. It has pockets to keep vendor information in it, a plastic business card holder, plastic zip pockets etc. You can also download a free mini planner from www.blissweddings.com, and print it out.

Enlist as much help as you need, and look for new ways to express yourself and your love at your wedding.

Hope this helps!

[Jenn060306]

Hi, welcome and Congratulations on your engagement!!!

Definatly talk to your FH about what kind of wedding you had in mind. That might help to narrow down the time of year and the a specific date.
Definatly check out some wedding time lines on the internet. I belive there is one here at OneWed. It has really helped me. I also have got a couple books on wedding planning. Mostly as gifts from friends. So i've been able to get some good info from that.
I opted to make my own planning book because the ones at the stores where really too big and rather pricey. I have a 51/2" by8" note book that i have writen my list of things to do, all my thoughts and ideas and i've clipped in all the important papers as well. I've found its much easier to carry with me to appointments and such.

All the girls on here are wonderful! They are so helpful and have some great ideas! So keep posting you're ideas and questions! We love to help!
Good luck with your plannning!

[dee177]

Hi,
Congratulations on your engagment and welcome to the site, I got engaged in August and have found everyone really nice and helpfull. Setting a date is defenatly you prioroty, so sit down with your fiance and work one out. How soon you get married may depend on your budget so you can give your self time to save up. Good luck with everything.

[CindySue]

Congrats and Welcome....
I agree with everyone else....setting the date is VERY important. You really cant start working on anything else until you know WHEN you are getting married. EX: If you plan to get married during the cold or rainy season....then an outdoor wedding is out. You also can use the seasons to help pick you colors. You will get a lot of help in here so just ask away.

[rissy]

Congrats
I know exactly how you feel. My boyfriend proposed 2 months ago and while we have a date I'm so worried about the budget...weddings are so expensive. I don't see how we are going to pay or organize things, even though it is a year and 2 months away. What sort of price range do you want your wedding to full into?
Firstly decide on formal, casual, semi formal, traditional or themed wedding. Next set your date. Then tell both sets of parents... I was in a big panic about finances until I talked to parents and discovered what they intended to contribute. It may seem rude but they can't expect to get out of it scott free. Then do up your budget. there is a great budget calculater I found on www.bridesonline.com.au (http://www.bridesonline.com.au) I'm in Australia but the trends on expendatures should be much to same.

I hope it helps a little. I look forward to hearing how you got on. This wedding business is CRAZY..lol

[Kacie_bride]

Well... sometimes parents get out "scott free". I guess it depends on where you are in life. My parents are paying for the whole thing, but I am also a still in college right now. I'm going to graduate and then 2 weeks later get married. Needless to say I have no money. My fiance has been supporting me and himself and he only graduated from college a year and a half ago. He had to take a job around here that doesn't pay as much money as he could be making elsewhere, because I had to stay here to finish school.

I guess what I'm saying is if I was out of school now and had my finances straight, I would probably pay for most of it. Or if it is like your second wedding you probably would fund most of it yourself. I guess it also depends on your family situtation and where they are in their lives. But if I would defiantely talk it over with them. Your family is usually a big deciding factor on how you want your wedding if they are to be involved. Remember if they are paying you have to take more of their advice than you might want to.

[WebLady]

Congrats and welcome to the board!

Here is a planning check-list that may help you along the way ...

9-12 Months Prior

� Order and get the rings fitted
� Set the date
� Choose Officiate
� Consider pre-marital counseling
� Talk to a bridal consultant
� Set a budget
� Choose colors
� Decide on theme of reception
(dance party or dinner party, etc...)
� Compile guest lists
� Choose attendants
� Go dress shopping
� Attend local bridal shows
� Start shopping vendors

6-9 Months Prior

� Order gowns
� Book ceremony & reception site
� Book Photographer
� Book Videographer
� Book DJ/Musicians
� Book Caterer & Baker
� Book Florist
� Send out "Save the date cards"
� Make arrangements for time off work
(don't forget a few days before the wedding and a few days
after the honeymoon ... you may also need to take time
off to meet with your photographer to see your wedding pictures!)

4-5 Months Prior

� Book wedding day hair & make up person
� Have "Engagement Photos" taken
� Send engagement announcement to local paper
(with an "Engagement Photo")
� Order Invitations and Thank You cards
� Set up Gift Registry
� Decide on guest favors
� Order Tuxedos
� Book Limo service for wedding day
� Book Honeymoon plans
� Start up personal wedding website

6-9 Weeks Prior

� Mail Invitations with RSVP cards
� Get Marriage License
� Attend bridal showers
� Order guest favors
� Plan Rehearsal
� Final dress fittings
� Do test hair & make up
� Have pre-bridal portraits made
� Order Thank You cards
� Coordinate guest lodging
� Keep up with RSVP's

2-4 Weeks Prior

� Confirm travel plans
� Keep up with final RSVP's
� Finalize details with all vendors
� Do final dress fitting
� Have dresses steamed
� Have a "girls day out"
� Relax!

Look around the board and feel free to ask questions and jump in. We are all happy to help where we can. :goodluck:

[WebLady]

Here is more about getting started planning ...

Once you are engaged, set the date and start planning. Even if the wedding is a year or more away, you can get on the road to planning. Make a wedding notebook and/or folder and pull pictures out of magazines of all the things you like and make notes about what you would like to have for your wedding ... and look online too! Then go over your ideas with your groom; at least ask him if he wants to be a part of the planning even if he declines, he may surprise you. Talk to friends and family and past brides for ideas and contact a wedding planner and just talk about your ideas and options.

Come up with a budget and decide if you want a traditional church wedding or maybe an outdoor wedding. Then start shopping locations, the best locations are those that can offer space for the ceremony and reception. Be weary of the "all inclusive" facility, though these places may save you money but they often have many restrictions. Wherever you decide to have your ceremony, just be sure they can give you what you want! After all, it is your day and you should be able to have it your way!

Saturdays in the spring and summer book fast at most places, try to book the location(s) for your wedding about 9-12 months prior to be sure you can get the date you want. Then once you have the venue, start shopping for your other vendor services. (don't hire anyone more than a year out)

Many vendors will book an average of 6-9 months in advance of a date. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to find what you need and want and then you may end up having to settle or even pay more. Give yourself time to find what you need and want and get the best service at the best price.

Good Luck & Happy Planning!

[rissy]

Couldn't aggree more Kacie. My parents aren't contributing that much but every little bit counts. As for the money situation, don't get yourself down about it. You are starting out and thats the exciting bit, it can only get better. I'm trying to do my wedding budget but without being tacty. It isn't going to be the dream wedding of when I was a little girl but it'll be a dream to marry the man I love...

For anyone out there, I really recommend not going into debt to pay for one day, I think it would put some unneccessary stress on a relationship, especially if you haven't lived together before or you want to have children relatively soon after the day. It's about enjoying your honeymoon phase and not continuely worrying about how to get by every month.

Good luck with Graduation and the Wedding.

[CindySue]

Brian and I are both in our 30s and we already have other bills we have to take are of. We have also been married before so we are paying for our wedding ourselves. We really werent sure how we were going to do it. Thats why we started a "wedding fund". We decided up front how much to put in each week out of our checks and its really been a peice of cake. We treat it like is a bill that HAS to be paid. When dont even think about it anymore. Im able to put togehter a very inexpensive wedding without being "tacky". (I was shocked, but it actually can be done!)
Brian has made a comment that we continue the fund AFTER the wedding for us to use to pay for special nights out and to be able to do something really nice for our anniversary every year. I thought this was a great idea!

[Kacie_bride]

Yes, budget is a big thing. It is definately one of the first things you shoudl do. I think it is a good idea to take some out of your checks each month. Hopefully you may even have some money left over and you can spend it on the honeymoon or any after expenses that may creep up.

[CindySue]

Yes, budget is a big thing. It is definately one of the first things you shoudl do. I think it is a good idea to take some out of your checks each month. Hopefully you may even have some money left over and you can spend it on the honeymoon or any after expenses that may creep up.
We are taking whats left on our honeymoon. When we get back, we will start all over again, saving for our anniversary. We have decided that we will take turns every year making the plans. Since he planned the honeymoon, i get our 1st anniversary!

[Kacie_bride]

That's a cool idea.