Where do i start?

[andybabe]

Hey everyone!
I am newly engaged, and wondering were to start. Please help!

[LaceyinPgh]

My suggestion would be the basics. You need to determine what kind and size of wedding you want. What potential dates. Then work out a reasonable budget. After that you can worry about things lke dresses, locations, colors, ect. I really like *******. They have a great checklist that keeps you on tast broken down by month for your specific wedding date. Besides the Knot all of the ladies on here are exceptionally nice and we love to help. Welcome.

[WebLady]

Congrats and welcome to the board! :D

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 premarital 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:

[Kacie_bride]

Welcome and congratualtions! Tell us what you are thinking so far. Any dates in mind, etc.

[WeddingManager]

My suggestion would be the basics. You need to determine what kind and size of wedding you want. What potential dates. Then work out a reasonable budget. After that you can worry about things lke dresses, locations, colors, ect. I really like www.*******.com (http://www.*******.com). THey have a great checklist that keeps you on tast broken down by month for your specific wedding date. Besides the Knot all of the ladies on here are exceptionally nice and we love to help. Welcome.

We have the same thing here at Onewed.com

[Jenn060306]

Congratulations on your engagement!

My first step was deciding what was important to us in our wedding. What are the must haves! Then a date and booking a place for your reception. From your reception location you'll know what eles you need to book, (some locations include alot like catering and DJ, so that's one less worry for you) it will set the tone for the whole day whether or not it will be more formal or more casual and how many guests you can invite.
Good Luck! Keep us posted on how the planning is coming! Feel free to ask for more help/ideas and to bounce ideas off us. We love to help!

[CindySue]

Welcome to the board! I think you will like it here. What ideas do you have? Dates, colors, themes? What would you consider your dream wedding and could you pull it off? Do you know much you have to budget with?

We have the same thing here at Onewed.com
Yeah...I found all that the other day.....wishing i could have found it sooner.....the stuff here is better that what had to use.

[shawnsgirl]

Use the check lists they are a great help...Here's how my fiance' had started planning and things kind of fell in place. In the last month we got a lot done...First we chose a season to get married. Early fall...Then we decided on a month we based it on what suited not only us but our families as well. His parent are teachers and we are planning a whole weekend event so august (not my first choice) worked the best for all of us. Sonce we knew which month we wanted we went to out pastor and found out which dates were best. We had two weekend s we could work with..After finally finding the reception hall we wanted luckily the one weekend on august which actually falls in the same date in which we began as a couple august 18th!!! So we then booked the church and the hall together, hopefully it will fall that easily for you....After that things kind of flowed from there from chosing my bridesmaids to my color it has all flowed from there. I was totaly clueless as far as colors are concerned. I went with what would suit with the reception and our tastes. I had it narrowed down to two and the lovely ladies here helped me finally decide....Although I'm still having second though Bright turgiouse, white, silver, and choclater vs. Coral, pink, brown, and a hint of lime. I still like the pink but my finace won't wear a pink tie..Can't blame him for that....okay enoguh of that...Back to the subject. Try to stay clear of the Birdal bags and stick with the online. The bridal magazines offer ideas for those with the big bucks$$$$ but you can find ways to pull the same stuff off at cheaper prices. Make sure you always do what you and fiance' want. Don't always arrange things for others or always feel you need to use their suggestions...I would advise finding out starting on thinking about a time of year and a budget let things slowly go from there. Things will flow, and also use the checklist so everything can be broken down for you and done in a timely manner so everyting doesn't overwhelm you. Also, check out ******* I love that site..Check out the etiquette and real brides to get some inspriation!! If you get stuck or just need to vent all the gals and future Mrs. are the best!!!!