Newly Engaged? What 10 things to do next...
You’re engaged! Congratulations!
It’s a good idea to start thinking about some of the basics for wedding planning as soon as you reasonably can. Here are my top tips for making the most of your engagement, and getting ahead with your wedmin...
Share with the family first
Before you update your Facebook status to ‘engaged’ and post hand selfies on Instagram to the world, remember to get straight on the phone to your parents and close family members. Telling them first will mean everything - and the rest of the family will appreciate a phone call, too!
Get a manicure to show off that ring
Chances are you’ll be showing off that gorgeous ring to quite a few people over the next few weeks. Make it shine in all its glory by placing it next to a fabulous manicure. Keep it simple with a glossy nude polish if your ring has coloured stones, or if you’re a diamonds-only girl, off-set it with classic red nails or even a darker burgundy hue. I would also recommend you keep some good quality hand cream to hand to keep those hands in tip top condition!
Have your ring sized and insured
Although that ring on your finger is irreplaceable, if anything really did happen, you’ll kick yourself for not getting it properly insured. If you already have home or contents insurance, a quick phone call will allow them to add your ring to the policy - if not, there are plenty of independent companies that will insure your new ring for a reasonable cost.
If your ring also needs resizing, it’s best to do it now - otherwise you’ll panic about it slipping off your finger for weeks! Most high street jewellers can get it done for you within a short time period, so you won't have to part with it for too long however I would recommend using the jewellers were you purchased the ring if possible.
Book yourself in for regular facials
Whether you suffer from problem skin or just want to make sure you’re looking picture-perfect for the big day, a monthly facial is the best way to get your skin primed and ready for those wedding photos. Starting up a dedicated skincare routine now is also a great idea to keep your complexion in great condition between appointments. I recommend a good cleanser, serum and moisturiser as a starting point. Just remember that putting time and a small investment into your skin now will reap the benefits on your wedding day.
Choose a wedding date
Do you see yourself as a summer couple or are you dreaming of a winter celebration with all the trimmings? The time of year will not only dictate the style of wedding you have, it will also have an effect on what is available. Summer is still the most popular time to get married and some venues are likely to be booked up several years in advance. If you do have a particular place in mind, you might have to be flexible and consider marrying at a different time of year or perhaps alternative days.
Other factors will also have a bearing on your choice of date - If you're inviting lots of people with children you might want to avoid choosing a date in the middle of the school summer holidays when many of your guests are likely to be away or during the school term if a week day. It's always a good idea to skip the weekend of the FA Cup Final or any other major sporting event if you don't want some guests sneaking off at some point during your wedding day to find results or constantly looking at their phones!
In the early stages you don't have to set a definite date in stone, but it's good to have an idea of what time of year you would like to get married.
Work out your wedding budget
It's very easy to get carried away when planning your dream wedding, and before you know it you've spent a small fortune. Before you commit yourself to anything, sit down with your fiancé and work out what you can afford to spend and what your priorities are. If either set of parents are contributing, it makes sense to involve them in the discussions too.
Now that you have your budget, start doing initial research the main aspects of your wedding. What venues are in your wedding location, and what are their price points? Are you going to hire a wedding planner? If so, this should be another one of the first suppliers you start researching.
Compile a guest list
You don't need to have the names finalised but it does make sense to work out exactly how many friends and family you want to invite. The size of your guest list has a huge impact on where you can marry. If you've set your heart on tying the knot in the local village church just up the road but it only holds 50, you're going to have a re-think if a rough estimate total of guests is running at 150.
Likewise, your choice of reception venue and the type of function you have will be determined by the number of guests – a sit-down do at your favourite hotel might be perfect for 80, but with a cocktails-and-canapés party it might accommodate 120. Many venues offer standing and sitting capacity numbers, which will give you a rough idea. You should also have a think about whether you want separate day and evening guests, or if you'd like to invite the whole guest list to all of your celebrations.
Start looking at wedding dresses
Obviously you don't need to make a final decision on what you're going to wear right now, but it could take you a long time to find the wedding dress of your dreams so it makes sense to start your research early. Look through magazines and mark any dresses that catch your eye, then begin to narrow down your choices. Pinterest is another great source of inspiration so create a secret board.
Once you've got a better idea of what you want, you can start making appointments to try on different styles. Think about how you would describe your ideal wedding dress - one of the first things the bridal consultant will ask is "what do you have in mind?" Have an idea of the most common shapes - princess, fishtail, column, mermaid and A-line - so you can better explain your vision. Allow yourself plenty of time to find the right one; you don't want to be rushed into making the wrong decision.
In my experience, I often find the brides I work with end up with a dress in a style that differs from their original vision. Always take advice from the bridal shops and perhaps try some of those styles that you hadn’t considered as you may be pleasantly surprised!
Think about a venue
It is no surprise that wedding venues can get booked up years in advance so it is worth visiting as many venues as you can from your shortlist.
Ask yourself - do you want a religious ceremony in a church or chapel or would you prefer a civil ceremony at either a registry office or licensed premises? And where have you imagine holding your reception? If your ceremony and reception are both in the same place it will be easier to sort out a date, rather than having to liaise with two different places over availability.
The location of your venue – close to where you live or somewhere central to where all the family live? This will also have an impact on guests who may need to find overnight accommodation or make travel arrangements. Also consider catering arrangements. Venue fees are often a separate rate with many other add-ons, including food and other costs - so consider that before you decide on anything.
Spend some time together – just the two of you
A couple days after your proposal, go out for dinner and start outlining wedding ideas. No need to drill down into specifics — this is more of a conversation to get a clearer understanding of what you both want. What season do you both think would work best? Do you want to get married outdoors or indoors? Do you picture your wedding being large or small? Getting on the same page will make talking about your wedding easier to friends and family who ask about it.
Another exercise I would definitely encourage you both to do is discuss your wedding must-haves, as well as things you don’t care for. For example, having a great wedding photographer might be your first priority, while a small wedding might be important to your fiancé. You may not want any bridesmaids, while he might not want to do a mother-son dance. Knowing what’s important to each person as early as possible is a great way to set expectations early and prioritise what you want for your wedding later on.
If you would like to consider some additional help and support and guidance in planning your wedding day then please do get in contact as I would love to chat over a coffee.
