You’re engaged. Now what…?

Congratulations on your engagement!

If you are anything like I was, you will want to get planning right quick. Use my handy-dandy checklist if you’ve got no clue where to start…

12+ months out:

• Announce your engagement

• Ensure family and close friends know - preferably in-person or at least over the phone - before you post it on social media!

• Formal, printed announcements sent to family and friends are a nice idea.

• If your parents are ‘old fashioned’, they might like to post an ad in the newspaper.

• Set a budget and determine who will be paying for what – make sure the budget is realistic while still being within your reach

• Have a talk with anyone that might be contributing to the wedding financially, make sure all parties concerned are comfortable with any arrangements being made.​

• Draft a preliminary guest list

• Be sure to check with the parents if there is anyone they want you to invite.

• Gather ideas and decide what type of wedding you want: style, size, location, time of day etc.

• Do some research on Pinterest.

• ***Rosie.d. Special Tip - If you are overly enthusiastic about planning your wedding, start a scrapbook! Fill it with pictures and commentary of things you love (...or don't love). Record special memories - like how you felt when you found your wedding dress. You will enjoy reflecting on the planning phase post-wedding.

11 months out

• Plan you engagement party (if you are going to have one)

• Be sure to stick to a budget and keep numbers in check.

• Due to the fact that an engagement party is considered less formal than a wedding, it is perfectly OK to invite people who more-than-likely won't be invited to the actual wedding.

• Set a wedding date

• Do this in consultation with immediate family only. Don’t make your day revolve around others.

• Begin researching bridal attire

• Bridal gowns can take 6-9 months to be made and shipped, so make sure adequate time is planned for this…it’s the last thing you would want to be missing on your big day!

• Start your ceremony and reception location search

• Arrange to visit the actual place. Don’t go off pictures on their websites – which can be extremely deceptive at times.

10 months out

• Determine your wedding’s colour pallet or theme

• Ensure it goes with the venue (e.g a beach themed wedding held in the country could be a little difficult).

• Reserve a ceremony and reception site

• This will most likely include paying a deposit, so be prepared for that.

• Make sure you get receipts for all the payments you make.

• Select the members of your bridal party

• When doing this, my best advice is to think about how long you have known the person and whether you will still be speaking to that person in 5 years’ time.

• Selecting your bridal party early in the planning phase means that people participating in these roles will have ample time to start saving…and planning your Bridal Shower and/or Hen’s Night.

9 months out

• Bridal gowns

• Make appointments (if required) at Bridal Salons to try on wedding gowns – with each salon, check deposit requirements, ordering timelines and lay-by terms/conditions.

• If wearing an heirloom gown, clean and schedule alterations.

• Start meeting with vendors – photographers, caterers, bakers, videographers, florists, bands/DJs

• always check examples of previous work; websites, reviews, family/friend referrals.

• Remember to ask about deposit requirements, timelines and any associated terms/conditions.

• Interview officiants

• Attend one of their services if you can.

8 months out

• Delegate agreed responsibilities to the Groom – if he can be trusted!

• Lock in any vendors that you are happy with

• This may require paying deposits – again, be prepared!

7 months to go

• Finalise wedding theme and palette

• Continue to lock in vendors as you and your partner agree on them

• Have a girly lunch!

• ​***Rosie.d. Special Tip - Arrange to have a girly day with your bridesmaids. Do some dress shopping and talk bridal shower and hen's night ideas over a fancy lunch with a glass of wine. Normally the Maid of Honour runs the bridal shower and hen's night, but she will need assistance from the other maids, so having everyone in one place is handy - especially if they haven't met before.

Remember that this timeline is only to be used as a guide. You dont have to do things in this order either - this is just to be used as a prompt to make sure that you have completed everything you need in time for your big day.

Stay tuned for ‘You’re engaged. Now what…? (Part 2)’ in my next blog post!

#engagedplanningtimeline