CONGRATS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT! This next season is a season of new, exciting and the beautiful steps you'll be taking towards a new journey into marriage. By now you're feeling love, happiness and joy and probably sharing the engagement high with the world! Oh yeah, almost forgot about that.. Theres a global pandemic going on out there! BUT WAIT- IMO Don't feel guilty for sharing exciting moments because every part of life is to be celebrated the way we want it to be celebrated! The truth is there is always something to look forward to, a positive out of every tough situation, and I like to think of happy moments as JUST THAT. Your recent engagement has brought happiness and joy to you, your family and your closest loved ones. Remember that and hold that closely when planning your wedding amidst a Global Pandemic. You chose love, and love is always the answer!💕
Once the high of the actual engagement starts to wear off, and the reality of planning a wedding sets in…and it can be overwhelming! & sometimes can seem like a lot for 2 people to handle!
So, we’ve pulled together our top 5 tips for newly-engaged couples to help you navigate those first steps — and the planning process as it flows. Buckle up and grab your planner because you’ve totally got this!
1. WHERE TO START? HERE'S A START!
Start with the most important things like your financial budget for the entire wedding (celebrations leading up to the wedding included: Bachelorette/Bachelor Festivities, bridal shower, engagement party etc), your ideal wedding guest count, meaning how many people you'd like to share your special day as well as accommodating a venue/location that fits your you both and your dream aesthetic! These conversations involve you both, so making sure you're on the same page before the planning actually starts is crucial to moving forward in harmony together and also learning to work as a team. Marriage is TEAMWORK! Start here :)
2. HIRE A PLANNER/COORDINATOR
or appoint a friend! HUGE PLUS* If you have expert event planners or fellow wedding vendors in your circle, they’ll probably have some great tips you might want to implement. Apart from the planner and coordinator and having those around you offer help, remember This is YOUR day! You don’t need to take anyone’s opinions into account (unless it feels right), and you don’t even need to ask anyone’s opinions at all (unless you want to).
3. YOU REALLY NEED ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS!
Taking engagement photos is one of those things I personally think every couple needs to experience pre-wedding! For a lot of people, being in front of the camera can be poffputting or they simply haven't done it enough to be self proclaimed models! *SELFIES don't count lol* Your engagement session will give you that experience where you'll be able to learn how to feel comfortable in front of the camera together and just be yourselves! It also will give you the opportunity to bond with your wedding photographer/video team before the big day. This is huge because I get to learn your good-side so come wedding day I know you like to be on the right side always, and I also know that you guys are comfortable enough with each other where we can laugh, hangout and have fun and be genuine with each other when you're locking eyes, and not feeling pressured over the camera. For me, the engagement session is all about learning how to document you guys, your precious love and your genuine playful attitudes with each other!! Trust us, it’s an all-around good idea and its no risk-Just fun, pre wedding! Lastly, when else are you going to be engaged, your next photoshoot will be day of your wedding! Seriously, in 20 years your married selves will be so happy to have your engagement season documented!
4. BE OPEN TO CHANGE AS IT UNFOLDS IN PLANNING!
During a global pandemic weddings and social gatherings are up in the air these days. Your dream day might change last minute, but as long as you know that at the end of the day marrying your soulmate is your end goal roll, just roll with the punches! I mean this in the most respectful and loving way, sometimes we get caught up in the look of it all and in the little details that we forget the real goal of the actual wedding day, it's to marry your love and become one. However that may look, just keep your heart open to change and adjust as you need to. Hold on to what's important and remember that no matter what happens, it's your day and it will be absolutely perfect. Whatever you decide to do, wether it be elope, have 150 guest count and socially distance, or opt for the outdoor venue and reception area, it's your guys' day and that already makes it so special!
5. BOOKING YOUR DREAM VENDORS!
gut when booking your wedding team. Take the refferals from your friends/family. Lookup reviews, see how peole engage with your vendors and follow their following! Reach out to people who you in your heart feel you can trust and count on full heartedly. Your wedding vendors are a team of people who work together to make sure your day goes perfectly as planned, and when things come up, because they always do, trust that we will take care of the fire alarms in the best way possible all while you continue enjoying your day without any idea there was even a fire alarm going off.
Your Wedding Vendors- We're a team of people who have your back no matter what, so come wedding day you have full trust and faith that your day will be smooth sailing becuase everybody on your team works as a team. I always recommend to link your vendors up pre-wedding! Share your Photo/Video team's info with your planner/coordinator, your DJ, Florist and even your Venue. Let us serve you the way you deserve, as a team!
PHEW! That was a lot! I hope it's helped you as you embark on the wedding planning journey!
Now go out there and plan your dream day, follow your heart and remember to finish with the end in mind. Marry your Soulmate ✨