You have found your one and only you want to spend the rest of your life with and you are now ENGAGED! YAY! Congrats! Little did you know that is step one to start planning your wedding! So you are on the right track. But, now what? My advice as a wedding photographer and vendor who has been part of many couple’s journey to the alter is to take a moment and enjoy this special time with your fiancé. Yes, thinking about all the fun details of the big day and the event itself is a blast. Yet, take a few days to take pleasure in hearing and saying the term….Fiancé! Cool, right?! Once you let it soak in, picking your date should be next item to check off. You can’t really start choosing vendors until you set a date. But, before you start researching vendors discussing a budget is a smart idea. Keep in mind your wedding is just one day is a lifetime of marriage. A solid marriage, built of love, loyalty, and hard work should be your main focus. The wedding will come and go, but a strong marriage is the ultimate goal. 

Now that you have your budget figured out it’s time to check out venues. Typically many venues will begin to fill their calendar with booked dates at least a year out. Narrowing down your venues, such as your ceremony or reception locations should hit the top of the list. The venue will set the tone for the style of your big day. Sophisticated, classic, rustic, whimsical, or trendy. Whatever your vision is you should check the venue off right after you set your date. My next suggestion when your venue is finalized would be to sit down with your fiancé and determine what your next biggest priorities are for your wedding. What I mean by this is what are the aspects of your day you are super excited about? Are you totally into having the hottest band around rock out at your reception? Or maybe you want your guests to have the best meal money could buy. Personally, I’m hoping you place your wedding photography on the top pedestal. Your memories, moments, the emotion of the day. All captured for you to look back and relive your wedding each time you look at a photograph. My business, however is not only about freezing your moments in time, but also creating an unforgettable experience throughout the entire process. From booking to album delivery, I want you, your fiancé, and even your families to enjoy the time spent with me. Enough about my passion though and let’s get back to your priorities. No matter which path your lead down keep the perspective that some vendors only book one couple per date. For example, when you book myself as your photographer, you get me. I book no other weddings on that specific date. Many other vendors are the same. This is why I recommend booking these type of vendors first if they are high on your list.

Once you get those big high importance vendors secured now you can focus on the smaller vendors who can work with several different clients on one day. Florist, cake artists, dress shops, and groom’s attire to name a few. And now you can direct your attention to the details of the day celebrating your relationship, style, even showing family and friends how much they mean to you both. Those special touches are the ones that can be the most memorable. 

I hope this post has given you a little insight on where to begin now that the ring is on your finger! The journey from engagement to the alter can be a roller coaster of excitement, stress, questions, and building relationships. Again, if you keep in the forefront of your minds an incredible marriage is what you want in the end…It will all be worth it! Congrats once more and blessings to you and your fiancé! 

Warm Regards, 
Lauren