You just got Engaged!

Your Guide to Starting Wedding Planning on the Right Foot

Congratulations on your engagement! Getting engaged is such a high! You cannot stop staring at your ring, you call all your family and friends.. but once the initial excitement settles, you might find yourself wondering, “What do we do next?” This guide will walk you through the most important steps to take after getting engaged, which vendors to prioritize, and how to set yourself up for a smooth and enjoyable wedding planning journey.

Celebrate Your Engagement

Before diving into the logistics of wedding planning, take a moment to enjoy your engagement. Host a small gathering with close friends and family or plan a romantic getaway with your partner! Not only does this moment deserve a celebration, but it also sets a positive tone for the planning process ahead. Remember, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so enjoy every moment.

Discuss Your Wedding Vision

Once you’ve celebrated, it’s time to sit down with your partner and discuss your wedding vision. Talk about the style, size, and atmosphere you both envision for your big day. Do you dream of a grand affair or an intimate gathering? Do you want to elope just the two of you? What kind of venue and theme appeal to you? Establishing a shared vision will ensure you stay on the same page and help you make decisions that align with your desires

Discuss what your priorities are – you each might have different priorities and that’s ok! Combine them into a list you both are happy with; this list will guide you throughout the entire planning process from allocating budget and choosing vendors, to selecting your food and beverages.

Stay Organized

Wedding planning can be complex and sometimes stressful, but staying organized will help you navigate it with ease. There are many tools that can help you stay on top of it all:

• Unique shared email address
• Checklists
• Spreadsheets
• Planning apps (The Knot, Joy, Zola)
• Notepad/phone notes by your bed for those late night ideas
• Pinterest boards

Set a Budget

Setting a budget is one of the most crucial steps in wedding planning. It will determine the scope of your celebration and guide your decisions moving forward. Start by discussing your financial situation and any contributions from family members. Once you have a clear understanding of your budget, allocate funds to different aspects of the wedding, such as the venue, catering, attire, and decor. Remember to leave some room for unexpected expenses. When allocating funds, keep in mind your priorities – allocate more to what is important to you, and consider dropping your low priorities altogether to save.

Create a Guest List

Your guest list will significantly impact your budget and venue options, so it’s essential to tackle this task early on. Begin by drafting a preliminary list of guests you and your partner would like to invite. Consider the size of your desired venue and your budget when finalizing the list. Keep in mind that it’s perfectly acceptable to have a smaller, more intimate wedding if that’s what you prefer. Larger number of guests affects your budget in multiple ways – you’ll need a larger venue, your food and beverage costs increase, the number of tables you need which means the number of flower centrepieces, place settings and decor rentals goes up with more guests, amount of favours.. just to name a few!

Choose Your Venue

Once your budget and guest list are in place, it’s time to choose a venue. The venue sets the stage for your wedding and often dictates the date and overall aesthetic. Consider factors such as location, capacity, style, and amenities when making your decision. Popular venues tend to book up quickly, so it’s wise to prioritize this step early in the planning proces.

Book Key Vendors

After securing your venue, focus on booking key vendors. You’ll want to go back to your priorities list for this step! The first vendors to get booked should be:

• Photographer / Videographer
• Planner (if you are opting for coordination/management only, this step can wait a little!)
• Officiant (Calgary and Rocky Mountain officiants book up fast! )
• Caterer (if your venue does not provide catering)

Embarking on your wedding planning journey is an exciting adventure filled with love and anticipation, but can also add a lot to your plate. By following these first steps after getting engaged, you’ll set yourself up for a successful and enjoyable planning experience. And if it ever gets too much, remember, a wedding planner can be an invaluable asset. At Events By Kate, we specialize in treating our clients as we would our closest friends – our priority is for you to enjoy the process and help create a day that is all about you so do not hesitate to reach out and schedule your free consultation.

Happy planning!

Photo Credits: Nadine McKenney Photography, Alberta Diamond Exchange, The Norland Historic Estate