Ahh, congratulations!! Being engaged is such a fun milestone in your life. You get to be in this bubble of bliss where calling each other your ‘fiancé’ or ‘fiancée’ seems totally strange yet sounds perfectly normal! Before you start worrying about booking in vendors (I’ll get to that), remember to soak in all the love and excitement you two share and all the love you are receiving from your inner circle - friends, family, your neighbours. Being engaged goes by quickly, so soak it all in and enjoy. It truly is such a special time!

Maybe you got engaged a month or two ago, or maybe only a few days ago and you’re probably wondering “well, what do I do now that I am engaged?” No need to fret because I am here to help put your mind at ease, by giving you my top insider tips and industry pointers.

Embrace the Bliss

It goes without saying, but the first tip I have is to enjoy this moment in your life. Being engaged is such a beautiful time that honestly goes by too quickly. Are you remembering to take it all in? I recommend to everyone who is newly engaged to remember how you are feeling, remember to breathe, and embrace the bliss you are in right now. Finalizing details will come soon enough but for now, spend time together and soak in the love and excitement you’re feeling!!

Share your must-have’s

Sit down with your partner and determine what you absolutely must-have on your wedding day. You should be able to share your own list and be able to listen to your partner’s. You may both have very similar items on your list, or perhaps very different ones. What is shared will start to determine the kind of wedding you end up having, such as a medium-sized destination wedding or an intimate mountain elopement (cute!). Regardless, I recommend sitting down together, order in your favourite dishes (ours was take-out Chinese) and have fun with it! The day is about sharing your love equally, so open up and listen to one another first.

Discuss your budget

This one could be scary for some, but remember to be realistic. Discussing with your partner a number that you absolutely cannot go over should be priority one. You should also consider a second number with all your must-haves (see above), that you discussed earlier. Sometimes vendors, decor, and venues can have numbers that may surprise you. Try not to be overwhelmed though! Discussing your wedding budget will ultimately help you determine what vendors you prioritize, as well as the cost for venue, food and decor.

My industry pro-tip is to look into booking vendors early as their prices will often increase around the beginning of the year before spring or at the end of the year in winter for the following year.

Decide on your date!

This one is seriously so much fun and such an exciting detail to narrow down together! I remember when my husband and I decided on our wedding date - it was truly the best feeling knowing “this is the date we get to celebrate each year”. The date you choose could be decided because of the season, a date that holds significance or that the venue you have your eyes on has only a select few dates available left. Discussing those must-have’s may help narrow down the wedding date but I advise you two to pop a bottle of bubbly because the countdown has started!!

Download/purchase a planner

Go to Chapters or download a wedding planning app such as TheKnot.com to start putting some of the details you’ve determined together. I personally recommend The Knot as it has the ability for guests to RSVP and keeps track of guest food choices as well. You also get to build a wedding site that you can customize for your guests to refer to leading up to the wedding. A physical planner is super helpful as well, as you can keep track of vendor contacts, important dates and budgeted numbers. Being organized is one less stress you won’t have leading up to your big day!

Start booking in your top vendors

Depending on the vendor, they can often start to be booked out two years in advance so be sure to start booking after determining your budget and your date. It is so important to share with your partner what your priority vendors are and determining which ones you want to book as soon as possible!!

THE VENUE: This one is at the top because they can book out far in advance; especially during the busy wedding season of June through September. If you have your heart set on a venue keep an open mind to your chosen wedding date but be sure not to settle for anything less than what you want. If you’re looking into a venue in Southern Alberta, I wrote a blog on a few venues I’d recommend!
THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Similar to the venue, photographer’s can often book out two years in advance and sometimes close their books two months ahead. If you have your heart on a photographer be sure to reach out as soon as you can and build that connection with them! We also understand potential clients can shop around, so be sure to book ones you feel will suit you and your partner’s day best.
THE FLORIST: This one is so personal as florists are such beautiful artists. Some may have access to specialty florals and their own gardens, and some might only shop locally small. Just like your photographer, you should choose a florist that that will help bring your vision to life.
HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTISTS: So this one might be a surprise, but these vendors normally only take on one wedding per day. If you have a specific artist in mind, ensure you reach out for a consult as soon as you can and then book them in!

Other vendors depending on your budget may include a wedding planner or coordinator (sometimes there are coordinators who are assigned to you once you book your venue!), stationary designer, videographer, and officiant.

Details, details, details!

Finally, the details. The dress, the suits, the decor. These are the small items that begin to orchestrate themselves one by one. Make yourselves a Pinterest board for inspiration, follow vendors in your area (or where you are getting married) for ideas, trends and inspiration. Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. Wedding planning should be SO fun! Keep it simple and true to you and the rest will start to align.

If you have any questions, or are interested in reaching out to me as a potential vendor for your own wedding, contact me! I’d love to discuss!