Where do I begin?

dionnab06

So I just got engaged yesterday and I do not know where to begin. We were thinking about a June wedding so that does not give me much time. Please Help!

sessionswedding

It's OK!  Just take a deep breath.  First, the checklist on the Knot is a good place for finding out what you need to do and when.  But here are some general guidelines, roughly in the order they should be completed.

- Make a rough guestlist so you can get a rough head count

- Come up with a budget

- Book a ceremony and reception venue that can seat that head count and fit that budget that both have availability on the same day in June (this will solidify your wedding date)

- Pick your wedding colors (use your venues for inspiration)

- Go shopping for your wedding dress

- Order your dress

- Interview and book an officiant if you don't already have one in mind

- Interview and book a photographer

- Interview and book a band and/or DJ (if you plan to have one)

- Interview and book a florist

- Have some caterer tasting/samples to choose a caterer

- Interview and book a caterer (if not included with your venue)

- Have some cake tastings to try out cake bakers and cake flavors

- Interview and book a cake baker (if not included with your venue)

- Interview and book a videogrpaher (if you plan to do video)

- Book your honeymoon (if you plan to take one)

- Interview and book wedding day transportation (limo, horse and carriage, buses, etc.) if you plan to have it

- Choose and ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen

- Shop for bridesmaids' dresses and order them

- Decide on the bridesmaids' shoes, jewelry, etc. and plan to pay for anything you dictate other than the dress itself (i.e. if you want them all to wear the same necklace you need to buy it).  Otherwise give your girls a rough idea of what to wear with their dress.

- Interview and book a rental company if you need to rent tables, chairs, linens, a tent, etc.

- Decide on your wedding day shoes, veil, jewelry, etc. and buy it all

- Decide on a hair and make-up style for the wedding day

- Book hair and make-up trial runs and book hair and make-up artists for the wedding day

- Choose floral designs based on colors and budget

- Choose cake design, size, shape, flavors, etc.

- Create a firm guestlist and collect addresses

- Choose your invitation wording

- Order invitations

- Choose favors and order them or any supplies you need to make them

- Choose reception centerpieces and order any DIY supplies you need or hand off the design to you florist if they'll be making them

- Choose and order or DIY "details" like the guest book, card box, personalized napkins, toasting flutes, cake cutting set, unity candle or sand, etc.

- Create wedding registries (if you planned to have them)

- Get engagement photos taken (if you planned to have them)

- Decide on a menu for the cocktail hour and/or reception

- Buy wedding bands and have them sized and/or engraved if necessary

- Address invitations or have a calligrapher address them

- Mail invitations 8-12 weeks before the wedding

- Have your dress altered, if necessary

- Decide on tux designs, colors, etc. and book tux rentals for groom and GMs

- Have your bridal portraits 6-8 weeks before the wedding (if you plan to have them done)

- Choose songs for the ceremony and a rough playlist for the reception

- Decide on any readings you want to have during the ceremony and ask a VIP to read at the ceremony

- Create and order/print ceremony programs if you're having them

- Buy gifts for the wedding party

- Figure out something old, new, borrowed, and blue

- Pick up your marriage license

There's more, but that will pretty much cover it!

JGreenfan2000

I know it seems overwhelming at first but once you have your contracts in for your dj, cater etc then its all down hill from there and you also have people on here who give you great advice. After you get a rough guest list and budget then you need to find a venu and set the date after that. 

JGreenfan2000

Congratulatons tell us how he proposed!

khines18

Enjoy your engagement with your new fiance this week! Remember this is a fun time for both of you. Guest list, then book venues first. June is a popular month, myself included as a June bride, so you may find it hard getting venues. Where in AL are you getting married?

Look over different versions of to do lists. I prefer "The Complete Wedding Planner and Organizer" from Books A Million. I carry it everywhere when meeting with different vendors. It gives a great list of questions to ask and budgets and general information on just about everything.

Best wishes!