I just got engaged and...?

Question

How the hell do I plan a wedding???

Lol.

What are the first three steps I should take? I'm feeling a bit anxious about it all...

I'm so happy...I just don't want this be a big stressful thing. Thanks for all the great answers. Keep them coming. :)

Answer 1

First of all congrats. Second look at theknot.com. They have a ton on information from A-Z.

Answer 2

The first three steps, huh?
I don't know about that but here is a starting off point...

If you haven't already picked a date, that is a good place to begin.
You may also want to start gathering a list of guests names and addresses.
Whether you are paying for the wedding yourself or your parents are footing the bill, or both, you should all get together to decide on a budget.
After that, make a list of all the things that will need to be paid for and how important those items are to you, this will help you decide what percentage of your budget you are willing to spend on each thing. For instance, I spent a third of my budget on photography because it topped my list.

Your list might include:
Reception (site, food, music, etc)
Dress
Invitations
Flowers
Photography/Video
Cake
Wedding Favors

If you plan to have a formal bridal party with several bridesmaids and groomsmen, you'll need to decide if you are buying their attire or if they must purchase their own. Let them know early so they can start looking and getting fitted for a dress/tux and make arrangements to save the date.

The best thing you can do is research. How long you will be engaged will determine the amount of time you have to do this. You should contact at least a couple reception/ceremony sites and photographers, schedule meetings with them to find out what packages they might offer and what they charge, this will help you make a better decision and hopefully get a good deal. Start early though, so that your date does not get booked by someone else. Shop early for your dress as well, this gives you plenty of time for any necessary alterations and time to find the perfect accessories. Just remember it is YOUR day. Some people might try to take over the planning or not like the colors you have chosen, etc. Listen to their opinions and be polite, but in the end, do what makes you happy on your wedding day.

Answer 3

Planning a wedding can be stressful. I just got married in July 06 and when my husband and I first started planning the wedding it was stressful and I didn't know where to start. What helped me was my maitron of honor got married months before so she helped me get started. If you have any friends, relatives, or maybe someone you know on your fiances side of the family that just recently got married have them be your maitron of honor. Also there are many websites that can help you with the process with checklists and stuff. A word of advice also keep the wedding as simple as possible and include your fiance in the wedding plans. There are some men that don't like to get involved with that kind of stuff but some men don't mind. I'm going to include some links below for some wedding planning websites.

Answer 4

It takes a year to plan a wedding ususally. The first thing you have to do is decide how big or how small you want the wedding. Than from there have a budget. Based on your budget you can have an idea of how many people you want to invite and the location etc.... Remember don't stress yourseld and if necessary hire a wedding planner

Answer 5

First of all, choose a date. That is the first thing people are going to ask you when they find out when you're engaged, and you are going to get *extremely* annoyed trying to explain, "Well, we haven't quite picked out a day yet . . ."

Second, choose a location. Book way ahead of time so you can be sure you get what you want as far as a reception hall and so on.

Third, figure out who you want to stand up for you at your wedding. Once you choose bridesmaids and particularly a Maid of Honor, things will be a bit easier for you -- you can run dress ideas by your friends, pick out color schemes and flowers and invitations, etc.

Most of all, don't get overwhelmed. This time is going to be pretty darn stressful for you, but it's also supposed to be a wonderful, happy time. Keep in mind that this isn't about how many people you invite or what color the napkins are. Be happy! And congratulations!

Answer 6

No matter what, there are going to be things that stress you out. I am keeping my wedding very simple but planning is still stressful. The first thing you have to do is pick a date. Anything your book or order needs to know your date. We picked our date and then went to the church first because the most important is a place for ceremony. Then when you have that booked you need to find a place for reception. Sometimes these places may not be available on the same date so you need to have a couple backup dates just in case. My sister had to change her date 3 times when finding a reception place available on the same day as the church. After you have those booked, you should pick your attendants and ask them, and then start figuring out what else you need (dress, flowers, invitations, limo, dj, cake, etc.) and start booking. It is wise to set set a budget with your fiance, even if its just a basic one, so that you have an idea of what you want to spend on things. There are a lot of checklists in magazines and online that give you an idea of what you need and how far in advance you need to book them. Just google wedding checklist.

P.S. Allow LOTS of time for gown shopping, try on lots of different styles, and go to lots of different stores. Sometimes you can find similar dresses for drastically different prices in different stores.

Answer 7

Congratulations. First 3 things are all decisions 1) when to get married 2) how many people/how much to spend 3) where to get married

Here is what comes next - where to have reception, do I split the reception/wedding guest list (small wedding/big reception), who to pick for bridesmaids, whether or nor I get a wedding planner, where to register.

I suggest you get a bridal planning book that has a check list and etiquette guide, or go to one of the websites that specialize in helping you plan your wedding.

Answer 8

1. Set your date (and a couple alternate dates)
2. Estimate your guest count
3. Estimate your budget
4. Find a ceremony and reception location (you'll need your guest count for this to be sure the locations can fit those numbers)
5. Ask your desired attendants to participate in the ceremony (and help with the planning)
6. Throw an engagement party!!

For free planning worksheets and info on a DIY wedding planning book, go to www.abcustom.com

Answer 9

1- Decide on a date
2- Find and book a church
3- Find and book a reception hall

Everything else falls into place after that. Those are the 3 main things. Then start looking around at local bakers, DJs, photographers, caterers, etc. Use theknot.com. It has a month-by-month checklist that tells you what you should be doing. Have fun too, don't stress about it!! ;)

Answer 10

Congratulations!! First you need to decide on a date. Decide where you want to have it. Reserve the place. Pick out a dress, How many attendants will there be? Their dresses, and tux style. Find a florist, decide on cakes what kind of reception, cake punch or appetizers or complete sit down dinner? Caterer. Invitations. I recommend a simple book on planning a wedding. Go to www.weddingplanner.com and look around. Good luck!

Answer 11

MAybe this will help some:

1. Need to find a place to have it.
2. need to find out how many people your inviting
3. need to find someone to cater it or who going to do the cooking.
4. need to find who is going to decorate it
5. need to find out who's the bridesmaids and bride's grooms area, and what they will wear.
6. who the best man and the maid of honor is and what they will wear.
7. KNow when the wedding date is and how fast you need to get all of the above.
8. also need to plan for the honeymoon, where to go and for how long
9. and the best part who's paying for what?
10 also don't forget if it's a church wedding need to talk with the priest about it or the person marrying you.
and last but not least if you need a lot of help get a wedding planner and they can do everything for you.
Opps forgot one thing too like who's making the cake.
Need more advice IM me anytime.