10 Essential Tips for an Engaged Couple's Journey

Introduction: The Importance of an Engaged Couple's Journey

The exciting journey towards your dream wedding begins. This is a time filled with love, joy, and those jumpy giddy feelings as you start walking on the path to forever together. Your engagement marks the start of a beautiful journey, and it's essential to make the most of this once-only special time. Here are ten essential tips to help you hop, skip and jump through the planning of your wedding and help make your engagement a memory for generations to come.

Tip 1: Announcing Your Engagement

There’s a ring, so shiny and bright. Glistening in the bright sun light, blinding everyone who walks by. Congratulations! Now it's time to share your exciting news with the world. Start by informing your immediate family and close friends personally before making a public announcement. The last thing you want is for your friend in Japan to tell her mom who then tells your aunt in New Jersey that she saw it on social media. Ut oh. Do it in person, or at least over the phone, but make it happen with a personal touch. You may choose to host an engagement party or task someone, like your sibling or bestie, to start  spreading the news. Remember, this is a momentous occasion, so celebrate it in a way that feels right for you and your partner.

Tip 2: Hiring the Wedding Planner

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, especially with all the decisions and details involved. Hiring a wedding planner can alleviate much of the stress and ensure that your vision becomes a reality. A professional planner will guide you through the process, offer valuable advice, and connect you with trusted vendors. They will work closely with you to understand your preferences and help you create an unforgettable wedding day. From full planning to just day-of, your wedding planner will take care of all the, “I didn’t know about that” areas you never knew existed. 

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Tip 3: Setting a Wedding Budget

Before you panic over numbers, it's crucial to establish a realistic wedding budget. Your wedding planner should have a budget meeting with you right away to get the numbers in order. As soon as you can, it’s best to discuss with your partner and allocate funds to different aspects of the wedding, such as venue, catering, photography, and attire. 

Tip 4: Choosing a Wedding Date and Venue

“I don’t know,” and “We’re not sure yet,” are both common phrases I hear when couples at bridal expos are browsing around. That’s ok! Not having your date set in stone isn’t the end of the world, but it does hinder your venue and vendor selections a tad! Selecting the perfect wedding date, and then venue, sets the tone for your entire celebration. Consider different factors such as weather, availability of your preferred venue, and the season that resonates with you both. Visit potential venues, envisioning how your wedding will look and feel in each space. Once you find the ideal location, secure your date and then work with your planner to begin planning the finer details. Is aunt Sheryl baking your cake or will you go with cupcakes? Are you doing silk flowers or the real deal? Will you be doing ‘sneak peak’ photos with your partner before the ceremony or wait until after? Are you blocking hotel rooms or leaving it up to guests to pick and choose? Don’t worry, your wedding planner can help you with all that, plus more!

Tip 5: Creating a Guest List and Sending Out Invitations

Creating a guest list can be like playing Candy Land with 17 four-year-olds, but only having a few pieces to play. Who goes next? Did they move to the right spot? Is that the card you selected or is it someone else's? Seriously, if you’ve never put together a guest list, it can seem really daunting! But this crucial step is essential, and it’s important to invite those who are truly important to you. Start by listing close family members and friends, then extend the invitations to other loved ones. Ensure that your venue can accommodate your desired number of guests. Don’t assume anything, get it in writing (on the contract, in an email, on an invoice - make sure it’s the same throughout). Once the guest list is finalized, send out stylish invitations that reflect your wedding theme and personality. Remember that your seating chart and guest list are two different things! Wait to get your RSVPs back before you decide on where to sit uncle John!

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You probably don't know how many cakepops to order or when to put them out on the table for your guests to enjoy. Good news, Leece and her team will work with you to figure out the smallest to the biggest of details with ease. Stop stressing and start smiling when you  book a free consultation with Leece today!

Tip 6: Selecting Vendors

Choosing the right vendors is crucial to creating a memorable wedding experience. Research and meet with potential vendors for catering, photography, and entertainment. Attending local wedding events and bridal expos will help you meet these pros and set up consultations. Taste the menu options, review portfolios, and attend live performances or view demos to assess their quality and style. Select vendors who understand your vision and can bring it to life, ensuring that your wedding day is everything you've dreamed of. Put down your retainer fees or first payments as soon as you can to insure your date gets locked in, and if you come across a vendor who’s booked on your date, ask them for a recommendation. The wedding pros I work with all help each other out, and we genuinely want the couples to have the best experiences while planning their weddings. 

One of my favorite vendors is Chef Troy who owns and operates the LexVegas Bistro in Lexington, Virginia. His food is divine and they have an ABC license so you can enjoy full bar service, too. They cater and have have excellent options to choose from making your exquisite wedding food experience one to talk about for decades to come!

Tip 7: Dress Shopping and Selecting Attire for the Wedding Party

One of the most exciting aspects of wedding planning is finding the perfect wedding dress and attire for your wedding party. Begin by researching different styles and trends that resonate with your personal taste. Maybe you have a religious or ceremonial style that you want to showcase. Maybe you want the opposite style than your sister had at her wedding. Or maybe you aren’t a ‘dress gal’ and have zero clue what you want! Schedule appointments at bridal boutiques and involve your loved ones in the process. Don't forget to consider the comfort and preferences of your wedding party when selecting their attire, ensuring everyone feels confident and beautiful on the big day. Think of your wedding attire as your ‘brand’ and have fun with it - think inside or outside of the box as much as you want. After all, it’s your wedding!

Tip 8: Managing RSVPs and Seating Arrangements

Remember that guest list you worked on? And you got uncle John’s RSVP with his ‘plus one’ added in. Now it’s time for the seating arrangement game! Good news, with your wedding planner’s amazing help, this seating arrangement game actually is super easy. What you’ll need to do is keep track of responses, dietary restrictions, and any special requests from guests. Kids or no kids? Circle tables or long farm tables? Six top, eight top, or ten top? Outdoors or indoors, or both? Take the time to consider the dynamics within your guest groups, like uncle John and his ‘plus one’, when arranging the seating plan. This will help ensure a harmonious and enjoyable atmosphere for you and your guests. Keep open lines of communication with your wedding planner, who can help you navigate this sometimes tricky task. 

Tip 9: Finalizing Details with your Wedding Planner

Time flies when you're having fun. It seems like just yesterday you announced your engagement, and now you’re so close to your big day! This is the time when you’ll be finalizing all the remaining details. Schedule meetings with your wedding planner to review the timeline, confirm vendor contracts, and discuss any remaining tasks. This is an excellent opportunity to address any concerns and ensure that everything is in place for a seamless celebration. Trust in your planner's expertise to handle any last-minute adjustments or unforeseen circumstances.

Tip 10: Enjoying your Wedding Day and Beyond

Finally, the day you've been eagerly awaiting has arrived. Time to celebrate! Take a moment to breathe, relax, and enjoy every precious moment of your dream wedding day. Trust in the professionals you've hired, your planner, your venue, and your other amazing vendors, to execute your vision, and let go of any worries. Remember, this day is about celebrating your love and commitment. Cherish the memories happening right in front of you and carry the joy of your wedding day with you as you start your new journey as a married couple.

Conclusion: Celebrating the Engagement Journey

In conclusion, walk-skip-jumping on the journey of your engagement is an exciting and transformative time for any couple. By implementing these ten essential tips, you're laying a strong foundation for your partnership together. An easy thing to remember are my ‘3Cs’: communication, compromise, and commitment. Combined, the ‘3Cs’ are the cornerstone of a successful relationship. Embrace the challenges, cherish the moments, and always prioritize your love and respect for each other over all else. As you navigate this journey together, allow these tips to serve as guiding lights, lighting up the path towards a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment. Here's to the beginning of a beautiful adventure as an engaged couple! As I always sign the guest books, ‘To Love and Everlasting Love!’

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Don’t let stress get the best of you, hiring a professional wedding planner can alleviate any headaches that might pop up from the overwhelm of it all. Save yourself the hassle, the stress, your time and some money. My team at Elegant Events by Leece has many options to choose from with planning packages! Take a look at the personalized planning options by clicking here.

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