Where to start

jpantel1

I just got engaged and I'm so overwhelmed with where to start.  I have a date of september 2012.  Where should I go from here?  Should I start looking for a wedding planner?  If so, where can I find a good wedding planner in northern VA?

Salas2012

I'm planning 9/12 too! As far as where to start- planning is definitely overwhelming - A key area to start is drafting your guest list- you won't know what places are a fit until you know how many people you're going to have.

As far as ideas and info- I started with a couple of magazines (the knot and martha stewart) and did some online research (the knot and wedding wire). If you're getting married in this area there are SO MANY OPTIONS. We're actually still deciding.

As far as a wedding planner- it really depends on how much you want to take on yourself and if you have it in your budget. My budget is small and I like planning so I'm getting a day of coordinator. I've found Table 6 and Diamond Events are 2 that really seem like a good fit and they're reasonably priced. If you want nothing to do with planning- you can get a full service coordinator that will even go look at venues for you (of course it's costly but if you're busy and hate planning- I get it).

I hope this helps and if you have any questions- let me know! I've just started posting on this board but I've found it very helpful in my planning!
 

Tlongo

Congrats!! I think you need to decide things like indoor/outdoor rough estimates on # of guests. Just make sure you take it one step at a time. Make a planner to track all your vendors.

LoveKiss

If you want to use a planner for every step of the process, then yes, that should be your place to start. You'll also need to come up with a budget (how much you and your families are willing to spend, not how much you think things are going to cost), a rough guest list (don't just pick a number out of the air. actually sit down with your FI and families to make this list), and a rough idea of what you and your FI want to experience on your wedding day. Are you the kind of people who prefer the outdoors? Is your dream day spent in your fanciest clothes or in your flip flops and cutoffs? When you think of food, are you paper plate and BBQ person or a fine china and 5 course meal person? Think about what the two of you really love in life, and start defining your vision using those elements.

mickeypotter

I took a totally different approach. It's called the "I-Don't-Care" approach. There is no such thing as a perfect wedding. That's the first thing you need to learn. The second is IT IS ABOUT YOUR LOVE--its not about a stupid venue, flowers, etc. I think people forget that....and you'll see that as you start reading more of the message boards. Third, you will need to let go and trust people/vendors. Unless you have no life--and I'm sure you like everyone else is super busy--you need to let the professionals you hire do their job. I was super duper lucky to have amazing vendors that I just let do their thing.

Enjoy the process. It is fun. Oh and let your finance do some of hte work

Ljacks87

Congrats! By setting a date, I assume you have chosen your venue. 

I know you want to work on the fun, pretty wedding stuff first, but the first step of wedding planning is NOT fun. The first thing you need to do is sit down with your FI and work out a budget. Everything will be based on this budget, from amount of guests you can invite to how much you should spend on your dress, photographer and DJ/band. Decide how much you can afford to to save each month and multiply x # of months the engagement will be. Do not ask family for money. They will give you money voluntarily  if they want. Any extra cash should be considered a bonus. Once you know how much you can afford, put it into TK's budgeter. I have used this tool throughout my planning and it's been invaluable. 

Once the budget is set, you have an idea of how much you should be spending on the reception food/beverage. This is generally (40-50% of your total budget). This will determine how many guests you can invite. You can them make the guest list.  

Lisa50

Before you hire a planner, it might be wise for you and your fiance to sit down and talk about what you want the day to be.  Should it be small and intimate?  Quiet?  Late into the night party?  Cake and punch?  Sit-down dinner?  Something in between?  What you want it to feel like is just as important as what you want it to look like.

After the two of you come up with what you want (mood, setting, etc.), then the two of you should set a budget.  You may want to investigate general costs ... attire, decor, venue, catering, photographer, music, and party planners ... as you come up with your budget.  Then, I think you're ready to contact a planner.

Once you have your venue selected, it doesn't take a TON of time to plan a wedding.  Take time to enjoy your engagement.  Cheers!  Good luck.

LoveMuffins

I think budget is the first thing you should figure out. All the other stuff comes after the budget... right now you don't nkow if you can afford a planner, if you can afford a big wedding or a small wedding, a casual wedding or a fancy wedding. Figure out your budget and then you can start figuring out where and what you want Good luck!

SMCsux

Congratulations on the engagement and picking a date!!!

I would say the first place to start is figure out your budget?  How much do you guys want to spend?  That will control everything.  Talk to your fiancee about what kind of wedding you both want.  Once you have figured that out, figure out how many people, talk to your Fiancee first, then both sets of parents.  Then start looking at venues that accommodate both your budget and your expected guest list.

As far as a wedding planner, I am not much help, we didn't have one and it worked out fine . 

My best advice is to remember to breathe, and take it one day at a time.  Also remember why you are doing this, you are marrying the one you love.  Also, remember to enjoy your fiancee.  Especially as you guys get closer and more stressed, make some time for each other to not do or talk about anything wedding related.  Have fun and enjoy the process .

Good luck, and if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.  Also, don't be afraid to ask for help along the way!  Congrats again!!

sk8tpnkz24

I remember when I got engaged... I had already started buying things for the decor, my invitations, it was so much fun. I think you should prioritize. You should start by setting the wedding date, scouting for venues, looking for wedding photographers, etc.

With that in mind, I'd love it for you to check out my wedding photography packages. I'm very affordable compared with other DC photographers. You can look at my website http://www.zadesignz.com. I'm also listed in  theknot.com