You're Engaged! Now what?
March 31st 2008 09:36
Congratulations! You're engaged! As soon as you share the news with friends, they'll definitely start asking you about wedding details. "When are you getting married?", "Where are you holding the ceremony?", "Who's doing your gown?" are just three of the many questions you'll encounter. Don't panic! Here's a little help on what to do next.
1. Consider a date.
There are two parts to this: a) you'll get to determine how long your engagement will be, and b) you'll get to plot your timetable more efficiently with an end-date in mind. Discuss with your partner how long a time you need to prepare for the wedding AND the marriage.
2. Set your budget.
Weddings are expensive. You've got the gown, the locations, the suppliers, the caterers, the rings, the invitations... All these and more will affect how grand or simple your wedding will be.
3. Announce your engagement.
Call the paper and get the details from them -- fees, size of photo, etc. Throw a party with family and friends and break the big news there. Let the world know about it!
4. Choose your wedding locations.
Are you getting married by the beach? In a garden? In a church? Consider your options -- which ones have you dreamt of? Which ones are feasible? Your chosen location will probably require permits and clearances so look into those too. This goes for reception venues too.
5. Study wedding requirements -- pre-wedding seminars, marriage license, etc.
My husband and I are both Catholics. Before having a Church wedding, we needed to attend three seminars. We had to take several tests (written and verbal) for both of us to understand how ready we were for the big plunge. Even getting a marriage license required a seminar! These seminars are scheduled, so check them out to ensure you have enough time to complete all these requirements before your big day.
6. Choose your wedding party.
Once you've nailed down your wedding attendants, you can officially ask them for help! Choose those who are closest to you. They will know what your quirks are, and you will need their solid support when you start turning into Bride- or Groomzilla. Choose well!
7. Draft your guest list.
How big a wedding do you want? This can help determine how many guests you're welcoming to your wedding. The more guests there are, the more expensive your wedding will be. Do you want to keep it intimate? Consider guests who you personally know. You can rule out the friend of the Uncle of your Mom's cousin. It gets awkward though when parents help out with the wedding's expenses. They sometimes feel they're entitled to invite people you don't know. That's something you'll have to manage well!
8. Look for your wedding gown!
Start flipping through magazines, browsing websites, window shopping. Find the style that suits your body type and personality best. It can take ages to find the perfect wedding dress so start now!
This is just the beginning. You still have to shop for your wedding rings, get a wedding registry, write your vows, interview suppliers, pick a wedding theme... it may sound overwhelming but it is a lot of fun.
Take deep breaths now, and enjoy the process. Congratulations again!
Image by wvermeulen
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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A work colleague has only just become engaged - so I've passed your tips onto her.
What a timely post.
You may even get a new fan out of it - here's hoping.
Perhaps I'm in a nitpicky mood - but why is the ring in the photograph on her right hand - perhaps she's not quite as ready to take a big a plunge as we all think.
Sorry.
MNG
Comment by AmyHuang
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Just been there and done that and below were my answers:
"When are you getting married?" - don't know. Not now. Maybe 2010.
"Where are you holding the ceremony?" - Not having one. Just going to sign our names and then we can head to the pub after.
"Who's doing your gown?" - what gown?
Comment by elvis-girl
Wow this is a great read, it sure does give advice to many couples who don't know how to start preparing for the best day of their life.
l too just recently got Engaged, and l am always busy with the hustle and bustle of every day life, that l am not giving myself time to organize my Wedding preparations, so this little piece of advice will be very useful to me, and l am sure to many other people that read lt..
So l am going to read your site more often,
Keep up the good work..
Suzan.
Comment by What's Your Story?
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Amy: Sign the papers and go backpacking right after!
Suzan: Congratulations! And thank you for the visit. If there's anything I can help you with, just holler!
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
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