5 Things Every Bride Should Know BEFORE Planning A Wedding.
Congratulations bride, you're engaged!
NOW WHAT….?
Well once you’ve called every bestie to tell them, posted the ring on every social media platform, and instantly begin pinteresting..
TAKE A MOMENT and breathe in the fresh air of engagement!..
#1 BREATHE IN THE FRESH AIR OF ENGAGEMENT
Engagement Air smells like love, serenity and happiness.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it” – Ferris Bueller
So STOP.. and soak up this moment with your new fiance! This is a big moment for him too, don’t forget that.
#2 GET YOUR RING INSURED
This is so important. When your hubby-to-be (or wifey-to-be #LoveIsLove) dropped a BAG on that pretty ring of your’s, the guy across the counter most likely tried to sell him insurance for it.
Maybe they got it, maybe they didn’t.
Regardless, GET IT, BECAUSE LET ME TELL YOU…
When I accidentally banged my hand hard (and I mean HARD) off a cement wall and one of my diamonds flew out of my ring…. I thanked my lucky stars, my fiance, Kay Jewelers, and Jesus himself for ring insurance.
#3 PICK YOUR THEME/STYLE
Sit back, close your eyes and THINK… what is your style? what is your fiance’s style?
If they are different, how can they be incorporated?
One of my favorite part about weddings are being able to walk into a reception and say “wow, this is SO them!”
I am apart of a wedding that is basically nerd themed. With little personalized decorations featuring Harry Potter, Star Wars, Game Of Thrones, etc. Why? Because it is UNEQUIVOCALLY THEM! (Shout out to Julia & Zack)
Some may think that there is NO place for stuff like that in a wedding.. I say screw that!
YOUR wedding should represent YOU and YOUR fiance for who YOU ARE. Catching the trend? It’s ABOUT YOU!
The theme you pick will dictate the venue you choose and how you plan to decorate it, the cake you pick out, the kind of dress you get, literally everything. So pick that first!
#4 GET A WEDDING PLANNER & SET THAT BUDGET
It’s 2020 people, weddings are expensive. SET A BUDGET!
It doesn’t matter if Grandma is paying for the florist, Mom is paying for the dress, and Dad is paying for the venue…. Write every budget for every expense down in your wedding planner.
The wedding planner I’m currently using is the picture on the right! I got it for $8 on Amazon. I love it’s simplicity and outline!
Let me tell you why this planner will save your sanity and your pockets.
For example… there will always be a rack of $10,000 dresses at your nearest bridal shop, but you have $1,500 written in your budget. So you’re shop attendant won’t show you ONE dress above that price.
If you go in with no budget… they will put you in ANYTHING.
There is nothing more devastating then falling in love with a dress you can’t afford.
#5 "PROPOSE" TO YOUR BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN
Be careful when choosing who will stand next to you on one of the most important days of your life.
Just because you’ve been friends with them forever, they’re your favorite cousin, you were in their wedding, you would feel bad if you excluded them, etc. DOES NOT MEAN THEY SHOULD BE IN YOUR BRIDAL PARTY.
There are SO many factors you MUST consider before you choose your maid of honor, bridesmaid, best man, and groomsmen.
- “Length of friendship means nothing. Elasticity of friendship means everything.” -Jenessa Williams
- e·las·tic·i·ty – the ability of an object or material to resume its normal shape after being stretched or compressed.
- Financial responsibility is key. How does your friend handle money? Will they be able to afford attending a bachelorette/bachelor party and possibly their dress/suit?
- What do they have going on in their life? There are so many events they would have to attend…an engagement party, bachelorette/bachelor party, bridal shower, wedding, rehearsal, possibly a Stag-N-Drag. Some of your friends might be to busy, and that’s okay!
Now…. you may begin planning! Few recommendations for you:
I recommend not picking a date for your venue, but letting the venue pick your date.
The best venues BOOK UP FAST. Sometimes years in advance. They may not have the date you wanted available, so don’t fall in love with a date just yet.
Next move onto your vendors (photographers, videographers, DJ, stylist, florist, etc. AGAIN the best ones book the fastest), then the dresses and suites, then all the decorations, favors, etc. after!
From one bride to another, you got this babe.
If you ever feel like you don’t, lean on love. Let this be the first step in learning what forever really feels like with your person.
Support each other, hear the others opinions & wants, and agree to disagree… well maybe not on the centerpieces because seriously what do men know anyway?
