Day one: Where to start

Ari O

Hi!  I just got engaged over the weekend, and today is my first day looking around.  I started looking on pinterest and here, and I'm overwhelmed already.  The planner on here says that I should be looking for ideas and things I like, but there's so much that I like that it's hard to decide what direction to go.  Did anyone else have that kind of problems, and how did you finally make a decision on which way to go?  I'm not the "typical" girl who planning since youth.  

kmbryant2413

Welcome, and congratulations on your engagement! 

The forums here at TK are very different than the website. The Knot is a wedding industry, designed to make money. Their 'top vendors' are the ones who paid the most, etc. So the checklist here on TK is going to be designed to help you spend the most money possible, especially through their website. I didn't really 'do' a checklist when I got married, but some other ladies will certainly be able to direct you to a great one, or give you some ideas.

Most regulars here first suggest setting up a budget with your fiance. It's a great communication builder in addition to laying the foundation for your wedding. Remember, that a wedding does not need to put you in debt, and you shouldn't start off your marriage that way! While you should properly host your guests, you do not need to break the bank for it.

After you have set up a budget, set up a guest list, and then look for a venue that will comfortable house everyone. Don't go the other way with choosing a venue then a guest list, it usually comes out poorly. From there, you can go dress shopping, cake tasting, and everything else to your hearts desire! It is also STRONGLY advised that you do not ask anyone to be in your wedding party (bridesmaids, MOH, groomsmen, etc) until 7-8 months or less until your wedding. A LOT of unnecessary friction can arise.

I would highly recommend lurking the boards. Etiquette, DIY (if you're that kind of person), and Budget weddings will all help you get a great idea on how to host your guests, and the ladies here give great advice. Many of them on the forums however have strong personalities, and while they are blunt and honest, please do not take it as a personal attack! You can learn a whole lot here on the forums that the regular Knot site might not provide for you (and you might make some friends )

When is your wedding? Make sure you take time to enjoy being engaged! Give us some more details, and welcome to The Knot!

Ari O

Thanks!  A lot of that is very helpful.  Our wedding is 10/25/14, because I didn't want to rush.  I'm also not a procrastinator, so I kind of just want to get it done.  Then I start worrying that I am not going to enjoy the process or get what I want if I just rush to do it.  So, I'm basically already starting to stress about how much I'm going to stress.  

AddieCake

Ditto KM

We started by talking about the kind of wedding we wanted, and then set a budget and made a potential guest list knowing we wanted to keep it at or below 100 people. Then we started looking for venues that met those needs. From there, things started falling into place. 

Congrats and happy planning!

TeddiD34

Congrats! I'm also set to be an October 2014 bride.

Enjoy the planning. We have so much time for all the little details.

amaryann210

I wasn't one of those girls that has been dreaming about my day since I was a kid, either, and I agree, when we got engaged, I was SO overwhelmed with everything!  Since you have a year and a half, take it one step at a time, and everything will fall into place.  FI and I will only be engaged for 8 months by the time we get married, but we're already ahead of the game in terms of planning.  The most important thing for us was to figure out who was paying for what.  My parents are helping us out on the reception and we're paying for the rest.  We budgeted from there. 

Good luck and congratulations!