Newly engaged... What first?? See details...?

Question

I am recently engaged and we plan to have a long engagement (havent set a date but sometime early next spring so about15 months)... We chose to make this a long engagement for financial reasons plus we're still finishing school, also I wanted time to really enjoy the whole engagement and not be too rushed planning it. We want a really nice, big wedding (my parents are paying and theyre fairly well off).

Id like to start thinking about things slowly.. but I dont know what to do first! I love scrapbooking so Id like to scrapbook my wedding planning as we go. I guess id like to find some kind of planning book or list (online or in a store) that tells you the traditional steps to planning a wedding (i dont think i want a wedding planner). Any ideas? Anything is much appreciated!

Answer 1

First off Congratualations!
I too am engaged but getting married this summer. We chose a long engagement as well two years by the time we say "I DO". The fist thing I highly suggest on doing is going to theknot.com and registering your wedding it helps you keep track of things to be done, manages guest list and you can also make a free website for your guest to see your story and some detail about the wedding. Also, wedding planning is supposed to be fun, but it will get stressful no matter what. The bigger the wedding the worse it gets, I know Im planning my own and have planned my friends weddings as well. I didn't get a wedding planner for financial reasons otherwise it would have taken a load off of my shoulders. There are plenty of books that can help. but you have to remember this is YOUR wedding and books often can open up an array of ideas for your wedding and can take away from your own ideas. Start by setting a date, that is really important and will help execute a lot of your planning. Then start making your guest list, that is also key as well. Believe me by the time you get married you would have visited your guest list over and over and over. Theknot.com helps with all of that and sends you reminders, helps you create a budget, it really is great. Hope this helps and happy planning. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

Answer 2

Best wishes on your engagement, and kudos to you for planning to be well organized and unhurried leading up to the big day!!

The big book stores have whole shelves of wedding planning books. Take some time and pick one that suits YOUR style. There are a lot of them that are set up "workbook style" with ideas for preserving your momentos, either in the book or in your own format and they work best for the bride that is planning a long engagement. They will go through month by month and list what needs to be done...(12 months out, select date, book church etc. 1 month out refill prescriptions, book pet care for honeymoon, etc). They have places to write in working lists, attach fabric samples, press flowers ....you get the idea.

Ultimately, you really need to shop for your book. You will be using it for a long time, and keeping it forever. It should reflect and enhance your personal taste and needs.

As for a wedding planner...even if you want to do most of the planning yourself, you might benefit from taking a preliminary meeting with a planner to help with some important decisions like choosing a caterer, musicians etc...people you will hire. They know who cancels at the last minute, who takes 40 minute breaks during a reception, promises jumbo shrimp and delivers microscopic canned shrimps...that kind of thing. You might also want them to help you the last couple of days and the big day so they can field all the questions and make sure everyone (read groomsmen and ushers) is dressed and in place, that the events at the reception are handled smoothly, timely and with the right music, etc. so after all your hard work, you can relax and enjoy the day!! Otherwise, you will be in the brides room with your girls...and some goofy boy will come knocking...Bob can't find his cufflinks...Jim has on brown socks, and he sat Cousin Bertha on the wrong side. LOL, let the wedding planner worry about that!!!

I hope you have fun planning your wedding. I've had fun just typing these hints!!

Answer 3

Start with a really good wedding etiquette and planning book. My suggestion is Emily Post's newest book, "Etiquette" and "Bride's Book of Etiquette". Both are great resources. If, along the way, you have questions that cannot be answered in generic style books like these, try http://www.topweddingquestions.com where a wedding expert will answer your planning questions on a chat style board. But, this is not a chat with other brides. You'll get expert etiquette and planning advice on the real deal - not other bride's opinions.
If you're not sure about whether or not to hire a wedding planner then read an article about what a wedding planner is and what they can do for you at http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding_planner_consultants.html

Answer 4

I started 19 months ahead of time, and now I only have six months left! I started purchasing the things we'd need like my jewelry & dress, shoes, guestbook set, tablecloths, etc. You should try to book your officiant early, as they get booked well in advance. Also, choosing the bridesmaids gowns gives them more time to pay on them. Check into the wedding laws in your area, check out different venues for your wedding & reception. Having a lot of time is a very good thing-you can be choosy. I made about a dozen lists of things to do, things to buy, etc. An indispensible tool for me was setting up a wedding website on WeddingChannel.com. It's free, and there are a lot of resources on there to walk you through the process. Before you know it, you'll be down to six months too. Congratulations and good luck.

Answer 5

I'm a newly engaged too but the long engagement is not anywhere near us we are getting married early next summer end of spring and that is not too far away so I brought my dress from DavidBridal.com I got a really pretty strapless one that I love and it will be here in about 3 months will all the custominzing I did. For the food I went to one of our favorite resturants to cater it and what we did is try different appetizers and main courses. For the cake I live in a big city so they have really good cake makers and you cn buy a beautiful wedding cake for like 2,000 ours is just gorgeous. Well I hoped that helped and good Luck and Congratulations!! Anymore advice email me at [e-mail]

Answer 6

There are somethings you will need to start considering now. Your guest list, the wedding site and reception site. Sites book up fast during peak wedding season, but you'll need an approximate guest count to ensure that you are booking a big enough site. My recommendation is work on your guest list first. If you want to create your own wedding planner, www.abcustom.com has free planning worksheets (plus discounted invitations and save-the-date).

Answer 7

First congrats! 2-book your locations ASAP...this can't hurt to have that down pat...things book up quickly so you wanna have 1st pick! 3-go look for dresses for you, and get ideas for bridesmaids. also, pick out your colors and any themes you will have so that if you happen upon a big sale or something like that-you will know what to look for. beyond that, go to weddingchannel.com-they have a really good schedule to follow on how and when to do things, plus a really cool countdown clock to your wedding which is kinda cool to know! good luck with it all....trust me-your gonna need it! :)

Answer 8

Try www.wedalert.com Also pick up a copy of Brides magazine at the store

Answer 9

Google 'plan wedding' you'll find sites like weddingmanor[dot]com that will take you through it step by step.

Answer 10

ezweddingplanning is what i used it gives you a list of things to get done first to last good luck and congrats