Weddingbee Blog

Take a couple of weeks or a month to really just enjoy being engaged, don’t worry about the wedding planning yet!

Give yourself enough time to plan everything - set the date at LEAST nine months away. Don’t set the date 4 or 5 months away, you’ll be in for a boatload of stress and no downtime.

Wait to pick your bridesmaids. I have 7 and wish I didn’t have that many.

(1) Take a few weeks to really enjoy your engagement. I rushed in to wedding planning right away, which was fun, but I felt burned out quickly (as did my fiance).

(2) Figure out an approximate guest list before you do anything.

(3) Take your time researching vendors– I made some snap vendor decisions because I was in a hurry to get things booked. I now realize I could have chosen a still-great, but less-costly route.

(4) But don’t take too long– popular vendors (particularly venues and photographers) book early!

(5) Don’t let wedding planning take over your life. There was a point where all I could talk about was my wedding and all I looked at online was wedding websites. I felt like I was becoming a bore. Don’t forget who you were pre-ring! Get invovled, get hobbies, stay active in what’s going on in the world.

(6) Have fun! Being engaged is fabulous and fun– enjoy every minute

Totally agree with the above poster who said wait to pick your bridesmaids. I picked mine a year and a half out and a lot of things can change in that timeframe.

Also, dont rush into selecting a venue just to get something booked. Make sure its really what you want, bc its the single most important decision you make.

Seriously, I don’t even know where to start!

DEFINITELY agree with not choosing your bridesmaids too hastily. Also think about the qualities you’re looking for in a bridesmaid - my criteria was just “one of my closest friends”, and it should have been close friends who care about weddings, are organized, and like to plan things. I ended up with a BM who sort of secretly thinks weddings are stupid, and isn’t taking it as seriously as I want her to. Honestly, your BM’s are supposed to really help you, it’s work, and it’s expensive. If you’re not sure about someone, have an honest conversation with them, and give them a chance to back out gracefully, because a BM who feels roped into it will not be a good one.

It has already been said, but take a moment to appreciate being engaged. Then, realistically, consider all the logistics that go into planning ANY event and don’t let yourself get sidetracked because it is a wedding…just remember it is an event and you should be able to keep yourself from going overboard.

I may be in the majority here, but I would say - book your location and photographer as soon as you decide on one!! I wanted my first choice, and even 15 months out - they were booking up fast. I don’t regret jumping into planning right away, getting all my vendors booked left me time during the engagement to take breaks and concentrate on things other than wedding stuff. Even with those breaks, I still got everything done on time or early - and with only 5 days to go…I have nothing left to do except get my hair/makeup done that day and show up! It’s wonderful to be done and have this entire week to relax, hang out with family and friends, and spend time with FI before the craziness begins.

I agree with Jen…I had to book my reception site 18 months out. Now with 15 months to go- I sign photographer and catering contracts this week, and then I can slow down for a while.

Take a week or two and relax with your fiance. Then pickup Martha Stewart asap! lol j/k Always keep in mind that this is you and your fiance’s day not anybody else’s. Don’t let anyone bully you into thinking you need more/less than what you want. Create a guest list as soon as possible, it will help you immensely when budgeting.