How to Create Your Wedding Budget

Creating your wedding budget is easily one of the most important steps in your wedding planning process.  This will determine pretty much everything else in your plans.  It will determine what venue you book, how many friends you invite, what type of catering you can afford.  

What does a normal wedding cost?  

Wedding Wire reports that the average cost of a wedding is $34,000.  But what it doesn’t factor in is the region-specific budget averages.  In Boston, the average cost of a wedding is anywhere from $60-$100k+ .  In Colorado, depending on where you’re getting married, you can easily spend $30-$100k+.  In the Tahoe region, where we’re at, the average cost of a wedding is roughly $60-$80k and up.  That being said, the average cost of a wedding varies greatly depending on where you’re located and how much you’re willing to spend. 

Types of wedding budgets:

Did you know there are different types of wedding budgets?  Yes, there are! 

According to Splendid Insights, budget are broken down into six different categories: 

1. Intimate ($1000 or less)

2. Economical ($1,100 - $10,000)

3. Standard ($11,000 - $30,000)

4. Premium ($31,000 - $95,000)

5. Luxury ($96,000 - $500,000)

6. Ultra Luxury ($500,000 or greater)

If you have been gathering most of your wedding inspiration on Pinterest, do note that most of the wedding budgets you’re admiring fall into the Premium and above category. 

Who pays for the wedding?

According to Wedding Wire:  47% of weddings in 2019 were paid for by the couple,  52% by parents,  1% by all.  

Traditionally, the bride’s parents, and the bride and groom themselves will pay for the wedding.   

In modern times, it is very common for both parents and the bride and groom to split the costs or the bride and groom to cover the costs of the wedding. 

Once you’ve set your budget and allocated the areas together, then you can divide and conquer the areas of the wedding for each grouping to cover.  

What should be allocated in your budget:

Below is a list of what should be included in your wedding budget for your wedding day. They are broken down by percentages and of course, everything can be customized based on your preferences.  Just make sure that the totals equal 100% of your budget. All these items should also include your gratuity. If you don’t need a category, simply assign that allocated money to a different vendor or save that money. 

1. Wedding Planner- 11%

2. Bridal Fashion + Accessories- 5%

3. Groom’s Attire- 1%

4. Beauty- !%

5. Rings- 2%

6. Sationery-2%

7. Venue: Ceremony + Reception- 11%

8. Officiant- !%

9. Catering- 22%

10. Photograpraphy- 5%

11. Cinema- 5%

12. Desert- 2%

13. Bar + Beverage- 4%

14. Entertainment- 10%

15. Transportation- 1%

16. Rentals + Decor- 8%

17. Florals- 3%

18. Favors and Gifts- 3%

Other Areas to Consider Creating a Budget For:

1. Engagement Party- Typically hosted by Parents or Friends

2. Childcare- Recommended if having more than three children

3. Rehearsal Dinner- Traditionally hosted by the Groom’s Parents

4. Bachelorette/Bachelor Weekend- Traditionally paid for by each individual person.  

5. Brunch: Traditionally paid for by the bride, groom, and parents. 

6. Travel + Accommodations- Traditionally paid for by each individual party. Can be paid for by bride and groom

7. Honeymoon: Traditionally paid for by the couple

To help you save time and feel a little less stressed, I’ve created a FREE Customizable, Downloadable Wedding Budget Spreadsheet for you!

Get your free customizable budget spreadsheet here:

How To Make A Wedding Guest List

Here are some helpful tools to help you curate your guest list.

Who Gets to Invite Guests to My Wedding?

Know that whoever is contributing to the wedding financially should be able to invite some guests. So if you and your parents are paying for your wedding it is customary to split the guest count amongst yourselves. However, if you are paying for the wedding on your own it is up to you whether you would like to allow your family to invite guests and how many they are allowed to or simply invite family only to your wedding.

Who Should I Invite to My Wedding?

Typically a guest list is comprised these categories calling

1. Your families

2. Your friends 

3. Your colleagues

Remember, this is your wedding and you do get to have the final say on who will be invited.

Should I Invite This Person to My Wedding?

I love this graphic breakfast traffic from brideandbreakfast.ph which will help you determine whether or not you should invite a person to your wedding. some basic things to help you consider whether you should invite a person or not are:

• Do you consider them a friend,?

• If they are friends do you feel they are really truly for you? Do they have their best your best interest in mind?

• Are they family?

• If so, are you close with them?

• How much interaction have you had with them in the past years?

• Will inviting this person make our wedding more fun?

• Can you afford to invite this guest to your wedding?

• Is there space for this person at my wedding?

There are certainly times when parents feel more strongly about inviting a guest then you do and so long as there would not be any emotional harm to having a guest at your wedding that is okay.

Lastly, remember that every venue has a max guest capacity so it is important to keep your invited guest list to within the contracted guest capacity for your venue.  The general rule of thumb when inviting guests is that anywhere from 60 to 80% of the total guess count will attend your wedding. If you are wanting to have a smaller wedding but wanted to invite a lot of people to be kind, you should anticipate the majority of them will be able to attend.

What should you what details should you gather about your guests when curating your guest list?

When you are putting together your guest spreadsheet, you will want to have their full names. They're mailing address, email, and their phone number. If they live out of the country make sure you have the proper zip code, too. Putting together your guest list can be a hefty task and I highly recommend dedicating some #weddingwednesdays for crafting your guest list. I have put together a free wedding guest list spreadsheet for you. Simply click on the button below to access yours. if the thought of gathering all of your guests contact information is overwhelming to you, consider asking your family to help you with this task. specifically, if each of your parents will be inviting guests, simply share the spreadsheet with them and ask them to fill in their own guests contact information.

Should I have an A-list, B-list, C-list?

Your A list will be the guests that will be invited to your wedding no matter what. Most often a B list is comprised of the guess that you would like to invite but the venue doesn’t have capacity for them to attend.  You would move to the B list after your A list guests have started rsvp'ing and you are receiving some No’s. Your B-list would not receive a save-the-date but would receive an invitation in a timely manner so that they can have ample time to RSVP for your wedding. Most couples do not have a C list, but if you do, your C list would be invited after your be list what's gone through and you realized you have room to invite the people on your see list.

Get your FREE Wedding Guest Spreadsheet here:

Have questions or need wedding planning help?

Leave a comment or send us an e-mail! We are happy to help!

Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Date

With your ideal location squared away, nows the time to explore your ideal wedding date!  

Below are some helpful guidelines to determine the best date for your wedding:

Off-Season or On-Season Wedding?

You may or may not have heard, but in the event industry there is generally an off-season and on-season.  On-season is when most events take place, off-season is when we’re doing all the behind the scene work it takes to plan your event.  Generally speaking, on-season takes place during the warmer months when the weather is better to host gatherings.  Off-season generally takes place during the colder months when it’s not as fun to travel. 

Many clients ask if it’s really true to you can get a discount for an off-season wedding.  The answer is usually yes, but it’s not always a significant savings.  Maybe a savings of $1000 and that usually comes from the venue only. 

What Day of the Week Should I Book My Wedding For?

As you might have already known, Saturdays are the most popular day of the week to get married.  Next to that would be Fridays then Sundays.  Because Saturdays are the most popular days of the week, they cost the most.  Fridays and Sundays are usually around a grand less and a week day event is usually two grand less. 

If you are able to book a Saturday wedding, wonderful! If you are set on a venue that only has Fridays or Sundays available, don’t fret!  Your guests will be there for you and love a good reason to celebrate.  If you’re not too concerned on which day of the week you’d like to get married, week day weddings are exceptionally fun, too. 

Should I Book My Wedding on A Holiday Weekend?

If you love Christmas or 4th of July and want to get married on one of those dates, go for it!  There is usually a higher fee for you since it is a national holiday but those are great options since guests usually have extended holiday weekends then.  Do note that travel fees are usually higher around those dates.

Some holiday weekends that aren’t as popular?  Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, and Columbus Day. 

Should I Be Thinking About a Special Date for My Wedding?

Many couples will book their wedding near a sentimental anniversary date for them.  Maybe it’s the date you started dating or the the date he proposed?  If those are meaningful to you, then go for it!  Look for venues that have that date available. 

Maybe an anniversary date for your wedding isn’t too important but that year has a really fun date to remember.  For example, in 2020, 10/10/2020 is a very popular date.  In 2007, 07/07/07 was one of the most popular dates.  In 2021, one of the most popular dates will be 12/11/21.  If those dates are important to you, go for it but consider booking early!  These dates tend to be booked up fast. 

I hope these tips for choosing your wedding date were helpful.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to comment below or send an e-mail!

Should I Postpone My Wedding Due to Covid-19?

As the shelter in place orders continue to be extended, we're getting a lot of our clients in a lot of couples in general asking if they should consider postponing their wedding. to be sure, this is an unprecedented time to be engaged and plan anything let alone plan your wedding.

We’ll keep this short and sweet. if moving forward with your original date is giving you too much anxiety and stress I would like she would encourage you to consider reaching out to your clients starting with your Venue and seeing what their postponement policy is. Also start asking your venue what's alternate dates they may have available later this year or in 2021. Wedding planning is already a very stressful time . COVID-19 is adding an extra layer of stress. No one will fault you for wanting to postpone your wedding for the safety of your guess guests and your own sanity. Your family,  your guests, and your vendors all love you and want you to have the wonderful events that you've been planning. We will be there to celebrate with you whenever your wedding can take place. Do know that some vendors are requiring a postponement fee. It would also be a kindness to consider paying a portion of your remaining balance at the original due date to help cover their overhead for this year. 

To wrap it up, we love you and want you to stay safe and healthy as much as your loved ones and your guests.  That does include your mental and emotional health, too. 

Whether just to create a plan B (or plan C really), we encourage you to start exploring what postponement would look like to help ease the stress and anxiety layer that is here due to Covid-19. 

I’ve created a super helpful tool to help you keep track of your vendor communication and a tutorial on how to use it along with some other helpful tips. 

8 Reasons You Should Hire a Wedding or Event Planner

Raise Your Hand If This You:

a. You’re newly engaged (Congrats!) and not sure where to start with all your wedding planning. In fact, you’re feeling highly overwhelmed and super stressed out with all that has to happen before you walk down the aisle.  You’ve heard about wedding planners but not sure if hiring one is right for you.

b. You’ve been engaged for close to a year now, have a lot of your main wedding components figured out. But there are a few areas you’re still unsure of and a few you’ve got planned but want to confirm your plans seem right. You’re looking into hiring a wedding planner but are still on the fence.

c.  Your wedding is literally weeks away.  You’ve got everything planned and are considering asking Aunt Lucy to get together and go over your plans.  Your 50% positive this is a good idea but it may be better if you just hire a wedding planner.

We still hear of folks who get to their wedding day and don’t have a wedding planner or day of coordinator.  Regretfully, their story is told and now wish they’d invested in hiring someone other than their Aunt, Best Man, or DJ to ensure all the details happen smoothly and any Day-of mishaps or emergencies are put out quickly.

1. Information:

And we’re talking two types of information here.  #1:  Your wedding planner knows the ins and outs of the wedding industry and should be able to educate you on things like current day wedding etiquette, what a ceremony processional is, and what the going rate is for wedding florals or a Photo Booth these days.  #2:  That person is going to have ALL the information day of.  When anyone has questions day of, they’ll be going to your wedding planner, NOT your maid of honor, to answer their question, thus alleviating stress and worries from any of your close loved one.

2. Connections:

A good wedding planner will be able to make some awesome recommendations for you on any vendors you may still be needing.  In fact, they very likely have a whole slew of personal vendor referrals they can make because they’ve seen these vendors do amazing work first hand!  If they can’t find one that fits your requirements with in their immediate network, they should have access to a much bigger resource of recommendations they can find those referrals from.

3. Cost Reduction:

Maybe you’ve got a particular allowance to stick with or maybe you’re able to allocate an unlimited amount of funds to your wedding.  Regardless your situation, your wedding planner will be able to help you make the most of your available resources and even be able to help you find ways to keep those estimated costs!

Kayla Adams Photo

4. Avoids Hassle, Reduces Effort, + Saves Time:

A good wedding planner is going to have an amazing system in place to ensure a smooth wedding planning process for you True, there can always be stress with wedding planning especially since there’s a lot for our brides and grooms to decide! But with a wedding planner, the hassle, effort and time needed to be spent are reduced significantly as they’ve already found the most efficient ways to plan a wedding.

5. Simplifies + Organize:

Similar to the last point, your wedding planner should have a cut an amazing organization system all set up before you even inquire with them.  When you hire your wedding planner, you’ll be amazed at how much simpler the planning process is than you thought it’d be and how organized everything is.

6. Reduces Anxiety By Reducing Risk:

Yep, you heard that right.  You don’t have to stress as much because you’re plans are being made by a professional planner; someone who’s had a lot of experience planning weddings (+ maybe even events!) and can ensure that your wedding day plans and logistics are happening in the most foolproof way.  And, if there is a chance of risk (can we say outdoor wedding + summer downpour? Yep, been there, seen that.) You can rest assured that your wedding planner has taken that chance into account and thought of Plan A, B, and C.  This might be a good place to point out that it hiring a wedding planner not only reduces YOUR anxiety + stress but can also reduce the stress + anxiety of those near and dear to you (say mom, aunts, bridal party, and close friend) because they don’t have to worry about all those logistics and plans day of.  They only have to be present, be their beautiful selves, and enjoy the beautiful day.

7. Fun/Entertaining:

Didn’t think that hiring a wedding planner goes with fun/entertaining?  Well, it does actually!  Because all the hassle, effort, time, anxiety, + risk has been reduced therefore alleviating a ton of that stress, your emotions are that much freer to enjoy the wedding planning process.  Furthermore, your wedding planner knows how to make the wedding planning process (can we say planning meetings over a glass of beer/wine at a coffee shop?) And all the fun vendor meetings + tastings where you learn more about what you like and all that delicious cake and food you get to try.  All that is just a little bit fun, you know?  Day of, if you’re wanting to bring the fun to your party your wedding planner will be able to either help make your dreams happen OR be able to create a really fun environment for you and your guests to enjoy.

8. Design+ Attractiveness:

A good wedding planner should be able to help bring your vision to life in the most aesthetically appealing way.  We often have brides come to us with their design vision needing just a little bit of reassurance or a lot a bit of help needed to make their dream happen.  We also have those brides who need help creating the design/theme of their wedding.  And guess what?  Your wedding planner should be more than able to help you design the wedding of your dreams.

Okay, and just a few more reasons you should hire a wedding planner:

1. They’re not your mom, sisters, or best friends.  We get it, it’s so much fun to have all the ladies in your life come together to help you plan your big day.  And they’ll probably be so excited to help, too!  But it’s super nice to have someone who isn’t so close to you that will be able to hear your visions and dreams objectively and who’ll be able to ensure they’ll happen the way you’ve dreamed. Not your mom or best friends way.

2. They’re a professional.  Your wedding planner takes their job seriously and is constantly educating themselves in industry best practices, networking with vendors, and growing themselves all so that they can serve you better.  For us wedding planners, we kind of geek out on all the above because we love what we do but do it because we LOVE serving YOU (no rhyme intended).Ridgewood Films

Most wedding planners offer a handful of different services so you can choose one that will most fit your needs.  So hiring a wedding planner should be an easy decision for you.

But if you’re still on the fence about whether you should hire a wedding planner, give me a ring or send an e-mail.  We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.

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Tips for Finding Your Photographer

Wondering The Best Way To Find Your Wedding Photographer?  

Photos Are A Big Part Of Your Wedding Day. These Photos Capture Everything About Your Wedding From The Ceremony To The Decor, From The Guests To The Emotions And Expressions On Their Face. Picking Out Just The Right Photographer To Capture Your Day In The Way You Want Can Be Hard. Here Are Some Tips On How To Pick Out The Right Photographer For You And Your Fiance.

Style: What Style(S) Do You Specialize In? How Would You Describe Your Photography Style?

There are many different styles of photography. Before you begin researching photographers, you’ll need to first decide what type of photography style you prefer, as that will help determine which kind of photographer you’ll want shooting your wedding. Some photographer styles are the following:

• Documentary

• Portraiture

• Fine Art

• Edgy and Bold

• Dark and Moody

When should I book my photographer?

It is never too early to start looking. Photographers are one of your VIP Vendors so they should be booked pretty early in your wedding planning process.

Search photographers near you and start browsing their website and portfolio. If you are interested in them, contact them and see if they have your date available. When to book your photographer will depend on a few different factors such as the following:

• Is your wedding around a holiday? If so, photographers can be extra busy, so booking as soon as you know you want them to shoot your big day is a good idea.

• Is your wedding on a weekend or a weekday? Weekends are very popular for weddings, therefore photographers tend to be busier on the weekends.

The earlier the better to book a photographer, as they can be booked out months away.

Research/Setting Up Interviews:

Once you have an idea of what kind of photos you like, you can start to research the photographers around you. If you like what you see on their website, contact them to see if they are available on your wedding day. If they are, ask to meet up with him. It is hard to make a decision like this just based on their website portfolio. You must meet potential photographers in person and see if you click with each other. Below are a few questions to ask:

1. Will the photos be retouched and color balanced? Is that done before I see the proofs?

2. How many weddings have you shot and how many do you do in a year? Also, what’s your favorite part of a wedding dayKayla Adams Photo

   and time of year to shoot?

3. Have you ever shot at *venue name* before?

4. Do you shoot both digital and film?

5. What is included in your packages?

6. How many hours of coverage do we get? What is the charge for overtime?

7. What is the deposit and total fee?

8. Will you be my actual photographer or will it be one of your associates?

9. Do you have backup photographers who will shoot the wedding if you’re sick?

10. Will there be a second shooter or any assistants? If so, is there an additional fee for each?

11. How long will it take us to receive the photos?

12. Will you follow a shot list?

13. What are the restrictions for sharing photos online?

When you meet with a wedding photographer have an idea of what you are envisioning for your wedding. It would also be helpful if you had a list of the types of pictures you want from your wedding so the photographer can get a feel for your style as well. Don’t be afraid to convey to the photographer what you are looking for!

Follow me on Pinterest for Wedding Photography Shotlist Inspiration!

https://www.pinterest.com/marcellacamille/bride-groom-portraits/

Tips for Choosing Your Ceremony Songs

An important part of planning a wedding includes picking music to fill the air during your special day! You get to tastefully create the atmosphere, mood, and theme by choosing a musician or DJ that fits your style.

Here Are A Few Pointers To Help You Decide This Important Detail:

DJ Or Musician?

WIth many different options when it comes to music, two popular options are DJ’s or musicians. Either choice can make your day incredibly special, it just depends on your preference. If you choose to go with a musician, think about booking an individual/group sooner rather than later, since their schedules can be full up to 12 months in advance (crazy, right?). It may take some time to find the right one, but this is an important process! With so many genres of music available and instrument combinations, make sure your option reflects your taste in music and the atmosphere you wish to create for the ceremony.

Wedding Ensembles

There are many types of musicians you can hire for a wedding, including soloists, a duo, trio, or quartet of instruments or a live band. Some common choices are guitarists, pianists, violinist, cellist, or combining two to three of these instruments. These combinations can provide a fuller sound for your ceremony.

Background Research

Background research is a vital part of choosing your musician or DJ. Videos of their work can show you their style, sound, and give you an idea of what to expect on your special day. In addition, look at costs for all of your options. There is a wide price range, but every couple can find a music choice that matches their budget and taste. Musicians and DJ’s can range from $300-$1500 based on experience and package details. Some of these details include how long you want them to stay at the venue. The cost may vary depending on if you’d like them there for the ceremony only, or for an all-night extravaganza. In addition, think about having a conversation to include unique songs you want them to play. Dream a little bit, and don’t be afraid to personalize your music selection so you can walk down the aisle to your favorite song. Most groups will be more than willing to accommodate special requests… this is your day after all!

Okay, that’s a lot of details but doing the research will be worth it! Your first decision is to choose between a DJ or a musician, and from there think about the atmosphere you’d like to create. Make sure it reflects your taste, and add some personality to the music choices they offer. When personalizing a musician option, listen for instrument combinations that sound well together and research groups that match your criteria. The logistics of cost, package selection and time at the venue are important details to figure out, but once they are set you will feel relief! Enjoy the process and you’ll be left with a lively, full, music experience on your wedding day.

And to hep you make sure you’ve got all the songs you need, click the link below to get your Free Must Have Wedding Songs List!

Want a Free Must Have Wedding Songs Form?

How To Find + Book Your Wedding Transportation

Ahhh, How Do I Get Everyone To The Venue?!

Here Are Some Tips To Get Your Wedding On Time And In Style With Your Bridal Party And Guests In Tow.

Where Do I Find Wedding Transportation?

Well friends, a quick search on google or yelp is the first place to start.  Then we recommend searching TheKnot and WeddingWire.  And if a do-it-yourself search just doesn’t fit in you, ask your wedding planner!  They have many resources up her sleeves to help you find just what you need.

Who Do I Transport?

The first step is to take a headcount for immediate family and VIPs. This typically means the bride and groom, their wedding party, both sets of parents, siblings not in the wedding party, and grandparents. Some couples may also provide transportation for out-of-towners or all guests if there is extensive transportation from the ceremony to the reception. So, how do I decide who to transport? The decision may come down to budget. Just make sure no VIP guests are stranded.

When Do I Book My Transportation?

Book a car company way in advance. Hire your car company about 6 months out (after you’ve settled on your date, party size, ceremony, and reception site. Be aware of any other special events that may be happening around your day such as prom, graduation season, etc. Formal vehicles will be in high demand during this time and it is best to book your transportation event early if possible. Keep in mind, you don’t have to use the first company you find. Research your options and gets quotes from the top contenders.

www.weddingcarskentmedway.co.uk

If you are hosting out-of-towners, or your ceremony and/or reception site are far, consider providing them a ride from a location (i.e. their hotel) to the wedding and back. A charter bus or shuttle which holds up to 60 passengers, will usually do the trick. Or go the extra mile and choose something with character that matches your wedding, like a double decker.

www.kaylaadamsphoto.com

When booking your wedding transportation keep in mind traffic, pictures running late, time of day, etc.  Pad in some extra time onto each trip you’ll be making for any unexpected delays. Keep in mind, getting everyone into the vehicle on time can be a task in itself. Another thing to keep in mind when booking your transportation is wait time. Most rental companies will charge by the hour, with a minimum booking time. Be sure to calculate the total hours needed from the ceremony pickup to the end of the reception, to determine whether it’s worth it to pay for the wait.

Making It Official With Your Wedding Transportation

Once you choose your transportation, be sure to get all the details in writing with your rental company. These points should be included in the contract:

• Date, time, and location(s) of pickup and drop-off points

• Type and number of vehicles rented

• Exact hours each vehicle is hired for

• Amenities supplied in each vehicle

• Total cost included gas and mileage

• Overtime fees and gratuities

• Deposit amount

• Cancellation and refund policies

And that’s all folks!  If you feel like you need a little further guidance, drop a comment below and we’d be happy to help!

p.s.  Isn’t my friend Emily such a beaming bride?

How To Get Wedding Insurance

Just as you have insurance for your home, for your car, for your health, and possibly even your cell (if you’re one of those who constantly drops theirs in the water or cracks the screen), it’s not a bad idea to have special event insurance for your wedding or event.

Now That We Know Why Wedding Insurance Is Important, Find Out How To Purchase It And Which Ones We Recommend.

How Do I Get Wedding/Event Insurance?

Purchasing your wedding/event insurance policy is super easy!

There are many different online wedding insurance companies to choose from (I’ll provide them below).  Most allow you to simply fill out your wedding/event details such as date, location, guest count, coverage needed, and policy holder’s name and contact info, venue’s name and info and you can then purchase and print that day.

Below are some of my favorite wedding/event insurance providers with example policies covering just general aggregate liability insurance and then a second example policy showing general aggregate liability insurance with event cancellation.

1. Wedsafe.com

2. Theeventhelper.com

3. www.protectmywedding.com

4. www.markel.com

 We know that with our current climate, many are trying to purchase wedding insurance in light of COVID-19.

Here is a good statement of understanding of wedding insurance and if it will be covered according to Vice President of WedSafe.

Because of the fluid nature of the situation, coronavirus claims must be handled on a case by case basis to properly assess what coverage is applicable to each bride and groom, due to the endless variables and scenarios that can arise. Like most insurance, cancelling for the fear of something potentially happening, including coronavirus concerns, would typically not be a covered reason for cancellation. Also, given the news coverage and official designation as a pandemic, it is considered a known event, which would likely preclude any coverage for policies sold after a certain date in time.

 -Steve Lauro, vice president of Aon's WedSafe program

Interested in learning more about special event insurance for your wedding/event?  You can learn more about special event insurance by visiting any of the insurance websites or by visiting this comprehensive review on wedding insurance companies.

10 Things to Do Now That You're Engaged

Congratulations!  You’re Engaged!!

He popped the question and you said yes!  You’ve made all the phone calls, done all the celebrations and you still can’t stop looking at that gorgeous sparkling ring.  Yes, you are engaged!

And yes- that does mean you now have a wedding to plan! 

But WHERE to start??

Below are 10 key steps to take when you first get engaged!

1.  Hire A Wedding Planner Or Consultant:

   There are a few different ways a wedding planner can help you.  You may just need to hire someone for a few hours who can connect you with recommended vendors and help to make sure you are on the right way.  This would be hiring for Consultation Services.  Or perhaps you have family and friends who can help you determine all the details but you don’t want to burden any of them with the day-of logistics.  This service is perfect for wedding management. Or perhaps it would be better to hire a professional who can literally do all the ground work for you and collaborate with you all along the way. This service would be considered Full Planning.  At the very least, I recommend hiring a wedding manager who can handle all set-up and logistical concerns for you.  This will guarantee a relaxing and enjoying day for you and your loved ones to fully engage in all the wonderful day’s activities. Believe me hiring the right wedding planner is well worth it!

2. Determine Your Budget.

   There are several categories of wedding budgets you could fall into:

   Intimate Wedding Budget: $1000

   Economical Wedding: $1100-$10,000

   Standard Wedding: $11,000-$30,000

   Premium Wedding : $31,000-$95,000

   Luxury Wedding: $96,000-$500,000

   Ultra Luxury Wedding: $500,000

   When you are looking at your budget, now is a good time to chat with your parents, grandparents, and any other common contributors. Often, the cost of your wedding is split. It is also commonly hosted by the couple itself. If you are following with tradition, it is hosted by the bride’s parents.

3. Determine Your Preferred Date/Months:

   If you’re planning on an 18+ month engagement, odds are you’ll be able to get the date of your choosing.  If your engagement is 18 months or shorter, you may have to open your preferences to a particular month or months.  When determining your preferred date or dates, I recommend considering a few things:

   1. The Important People:  Who are the important people in your lives you are willingKayla Adams Photography

      to work your date around?  This could be your fiance’s grandparent’s in another state who would have a hard time traveling during the winter months OR perhaps you have siblings with only certain weeks during the school year they could attend your wedding.

   2. Annual Holidays/ Cultural Events: Are their annual holidays or cultural festivities that could make it hard for guests to attend?  For example, the first two weeks of June are the popular graduation celebrations.  December is plush with annual festive holidays. Do you mind having your wedding on one or near one of those celebrations?

4. Book Your Venue:

   On average, most couples book their venue 18 months to one year out. (Check out this article from Huffington Post)  Crazy, I know.  I spent nearly two years as the wedding coordinator for a local wedding venue and I found those stats to be true.  With that knowledge I definitely recommend getting on top of the venue search fast!  Check out websites like theknot.com, weddingwire.com or wedding.com to help you find venues that fit your budget and your style.

5. Choose Your Bridal & Groomal Party:

   Kayla Adams Photography

   Who are the people in your life who have genuinely been there for you?   Who has supported your relationship together?  Which of your friends can you envision being a #lifer?  Larger wedding parties of 6+ are quite popular nowadays but it is just as fine to have only a best man and maid of honor.  The important decision factors here are choosing those people who genuinely love you and have been and are willing to support you two day of and the rest of your lives.

6. Create Your Guest List:

   A lot of this determines on your pre-determined budget.  What’s your food & beverage budget goal?  Most likely, you will have people from different seasons of life being invited.  Both sets of parents will have guests they’d like to invite and it is very likely that you may have friends from your life and your fiance may have friends from theirs.  Then you will also have friends you know collectively you’ll want to invite.  Many couples consider this one of the hardest parts.  If possible, get together with whomever is financially contributing to the wedding and determine your guest list there.  Also, don’t forget to write your A-List and B-List. 

7. Book Your Vendors!  

   Yep- you guessed it.  Just as your preferred venue and date of choice can book up fast, so can your vendors.  So it’s important to book those shortly after engagement, too.  But who do you need and how do you find them?  You can also visit websites like weddingwire.com, the knot.com, or wedding.com if you’ve got the time and ready to take that task on BUT a good wedding planner will have a whole slew of wedding professionals in her network she can recommend to you.  I love being able to connect some of my favorite industry professionals with my couples. Vendor Must Haves are: Caterer (if not included with the venue), Photographer, Florist, Dessert/Baker, DJ/Emcee, Officiant.  Some other vendors that would come in handy:  Calligraphist/Typographer, Wedding Design, Decor/Rentals, Videographer, Food Truck, Photobooth.

8. Create Your Design:

   Hop on Pinterest!  Your design and theme may change a little from your initial pins but it is SO helpful to create a board labelled Our Wedding, The Best Day Ever, or Wedding Inspiration to help you two start to solidify the color palette and type of decor/feel you both want.  It’s a fun way to build the day that is strictly about you and your love.  Perhaps you have a hobby that you both really enjoy or there’s a certain era you both wish you grew up in, maybe you both love Telenovelas…  Whatever it is that speaks to you both, start pinning those things and you’ll start to see a clear vision of how you want your special day to aesthetically look. Note:  Having a Pinterest board is also super helpful to share with your wedding planner, florist, and any other vendor who is helping with the aesthetic design.

   Once you’ve generated your initial inspiration, we highly recommend pairing down your likes to your top 15-20 and then having your wedding planner design your mood board from those. That way you don’t get overwhelmed with the many many options out there and your wedding can have a cohesive, branded aesthetic and feel.

9. Select Your Attire:

   Brides, the process of getting your gown may take quite a while.  So gather your gals, a bottle of champagne, book some appointments and start trying on bridal gowns!  It’s also a good idea to determine the bridesmaids attire now, too.  It can take a few months for the gowns to be delivered and then alterations. So you want to allow plenty of time to have those ordered.  If you’re lucky-the dress will be the perfect fit.  Don’t forget to order your veil and belt if wearing those, too!

10. Make Honeymoon Plans:

    Traditionally, this is the groom’s responsibility to make sure all the travel arrangements have been met.  Whether you are deciding on the plans together or not, it’s a good idea to make sure your travel documents (like your passport, visa, birth certificate) are up-to-date and ready to go.

There are many more details that go with each one of the items mentioned above and no doubt weddings take a lot of work  but they are also a LOT of fun!  So don’t forget to be present, relish the process, and take time to enjoy the season of being engaged!