First of all, congratulations! Getting engaged is such an exciting time. Wedding planning doesn’t have to be a stressful process. By breaking it down into steps, it becomes a lot easier.
Here’s where to start:
Call Friends and Family
Get the word out! Before you post the big announcement online, pick up the phone to let your close friends and family know! They’ll love hearing the news straight from you. After that, you can share your big news online.
Insure Your Ring
Engagement rings are a big investment! You never expect anything to happen to it, but it’s wise to get it insured just in case. Check to see if you can add it to an existing policy or get separate jewelry insurance.
Enjoy the Moment
It’s easy to get lost in wedding planning mode, but take a moment to cherish this special time. These early weeks are special – don’t rush!
Discuss Your Wedding Vision
Before you start scheduling tours, sit down with your partner and talk about your shared vision. Big, traditional ceremony? A small, intimate one? Either way, deciding on the key points such as the style, size, location, budget, and date will help to reduce stress later.
Divide Wedding Responsibilities
Planning is a big task, and the good news is you don’t have to do it alone! Split up the to-dos so you’re both involved. Teamwork will make the whole process more enjoyable.
Set a Budget
Before you book anything, you need to have your budget figured out. Break it down into categories, such as venue, catering, rentals, attire, photography, and other costs. We recommend researching the average costs in your area to set realistic expectations.
Plan Your Engagement Party
If you want to celebrate your engagement, consider throwing an engagement party! It can be as simple as a dinner or a backyard gathering. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy this time before the wedding planning is in full swing.
Book Your Engagement Shoot
Schedule your engagement photoshoot! These photos can be used for save-the-dates and invitations, so they’re handy to have. With our venue rental at Ainsworth House & Gardens, we include time on the property for save-the-date or engagement photoshoots.
Choose a Date
There are a few things to consider before choosing a date: season, location, and guests’ availability. If you want an outdoor wedding in Portland, aim for late spring to early fall for the best chance at sunshine. Once you choose a date, planning becomes much easier.
Research and Tour Venues
Venues book fast – sometimes up to two years in advance – so start your search early! Think about what’s included, guest capacity, and whether they have preferred vendors.
Draft Your Guest List
After touring venues, start on your guest list. Knowing your venue’s capacity will help you decide how many people you can invite. This will also help you when booking other vendors later.
Choose Your Wedding Party
Decide who you want by your side on the big day. Ask them 6 to 12 months in advance so they can prepare for the events leading up to the wedding day.
Start a Wedding Checklist or Hire a Planner
Creating a checklist can help keep things on track. If you feel overwhelmed, consider hiring a wedding planner. They can help with suggestions and manage the logistics.
Book Key Vendors
Choosing your vendors early is important because they can book fast. These are vendors like your venue, caterer, photographer, entertainment, dance instructor, and florist. You’ll want to book them anywhere from 6 to 24 months in advance.
Start Your Wedding Website
Wedding websites will help keep guests informed. You share details like dates and locations and link your registry. Many platforms also allow RSVPs.
Start Dress and Suit Shopping
Dress shopping should start 8 to 10 months before the wedding to give ample time for alterations. Grooms should start looking for suits 2 to 4 months out.
Send Save-the-Dates and Invitations
Save-the-dates go out around 6 to 12 months before your wedding. Wedding invitations should go out 8 to 10 weeks before the big day. If you have out-of-town guests, consider sending invitations out even earlier.
Research Additional Vendors
Once the big vendors are booked, look into extras like hair and makeup. Additional vendors to consider would be officiants and rentals. Do some research, schedule trials, and get these booked!
Plan Pre-Wedding Events
Your wedding shower and bachelor(ette) parties usually happen 1 to 4 months before the wedding. If you have people traveling, consider having these events close to the wedding to save on travel costs for guests.
Have Fun With It!
Wedding planning takes time and effort, but it shouldn’t feel like a chore. Make sure to celebrate the small milestones along the way. At the end of the day, this is all about starting your life together.
Taking the process step-by-step makes wedding planning much more manageable. Stay organized, chat with your planner, and try to enjoy the process.
Ready to start planning? Book a tour of Ainsworth House & Gardens today.
