Newly Engaged? Start your wedding planning with these steps!

You're newly engaged! Congratulations! Once you are ready to start your wedding planning (and don't let anyone rush you), these are the first steps to take in this order:

1. Make a sample guest list. Sit down with your partner and pull out a spreadsheet and put down the names of everyone you want to invite. If everyone on that list RSVPed yes, then thats your target guest count! This number will inform everything else, from budget to venue, etc., so we're not guesstimating that guest count. This will also help you to avoid a guest list that is over your venue's capacity.

2. Decide on a target wedding date. You do not have a wedding date until you've booked a venue, but it's good to set a target with first, second, and third choices or a target month, so that you can be flexible with venue availability.

3. Set a budget. Have the uncomfortable conversation with whoever is financing the wedding, whether it's just you and your partner, or if family is helping, and come up with an outside number that you're comfortable with.

4. Find a wedding planner. If it's in your budget and wedding planning goals, this is the point at which you'll book a planner! This is because the planner will help you with everything that follows and having their expertise will venue hunting will be invaluable

5. Book a venue. Until you have a contract signed and deposit placed, you do not have a wedding date, but once those things are done, you can move on with wedding planning.

Easy peasy! You got this! Questions? You know where the comments are!

Happy wedding planning.

Andy <3