Newly engaged? What’s the next step?

Planning   a wedding can be big undertaking. Many times the course of planning from the   moment of engagement to the wedding day can stretch over several years. It requires   patience, budgeting and organization. A wedding binder or filing system can   help keep receipts and information all in one place. Additionally, use these   steps as guidelines for your own event.

1. Engagement party
  Many couples enjoy having an engagement party to announce that they’re planning   a life together. Engagement parties are receptions on a smaller scale. It’s   not necessary to invite all of the guests you’d be inviting to the wedding unless   you have the budget to do so. Keep it to immediate family and you may also want   to invite close friends. If finances are an issue, consider a brunch or a cocktail   party with passed appetizers instead of a full sit-down dinner.

2. Set the date
  Once you decide you’re getting married, you should consider when you want the   big day to occur. This can depend on what month of the year you enjoy or when   you think you may have saved enough to cover the cost of the wedding itself.   Prime months include the spring and summer. If you want to have your wedding   relatively soon, you may find that certain dates are already booked up for houses   of worship and reception halls. Choose an off-peak time of the year, such as   January, March, November or December.

3. Establish a budget
  The scope of your wedding will depend largely upon what you can afford. Many   of today’s average weddings range from $25,000 to $35,000. Make a list of all   the costs you will have: wardrobe, clergy fees, reception hall, flowers, photography,   gifts for wedding party, transportation, honeymoon, etc. Figure that the majority   of the costs will be around $2,000 each (excluding the reception site, honeymoon   and ceremony). Seeing the end cost will help you develop a plan for saving.   Keep in mind that many of the payments and deposits are made over time, so you   won’t have to come up with the lump sum all at one time.

4. Wedding sites
  Once you have a date and budget, your next step is to make arrangements with   the church, synagogue or other place where the ceremony will take place. Most   houses of worship prefer you secure the day with them before booking your reception   site. Many places book a year or more in advance, so it is important to shop   around and secure your locations as soon as possible. When looking at reception   locations, it helps to have a preliminary idea of how many people you’ll be   inviting to the wedding so you can compare costs and decide on room sizes. Certain   places offer lower rates for Friday and Sunday than Saturday night. This can   help to keep your reception more budget-friendly.

5. Photography, Music, Flowers, Limos, Hairstylist
  Some wedding vendors book up as fast as reception sites, particularly if they   come well recommended. Secure your date for services with these people shortly   after you reserve your ceremony and reception site. Vendors will likely require   a deposit and balance paid before the wedding.

6. Wardrobe
  The ladies in the wedding will need to browse for and decide on gowns roughly   6 to 8 months before the wedding. This allows time for the dresses to be ordered   and alterations to be made. Gentleman can typically shop for tuxedo rentals   a month before the wedding.

7. Registry
  Register for them as far in advance as possible. This way if people want to   give you gifts from the registry in advance of the wedding, they’ll know what   to choose. Definitely register by 2 to 3 months before the wedding, because   this is when the bridal shower is typically held.

8. Stationery
  Order your invitations, save-the-date cards, etc. 5 to 6 months before the wedding   so you have time to check the proofs and ensure they’re printed correctly. Wedding   invitations are usually mailed out 1 to 2 months prior to the event. It is customary   to stamp the RSVP card so that guests simply put it in the mail.

9. Religious requirements
  Some houses of worship require classes or retreats before a wedding ceremony   to prepare the couple for marriage in a religious sense. Make sure these tasks   are completed.

10: Honeymoon
  It used to be the groom’s task to book the honeymoon, but most couples do it   together these days. Book the honeymoon and apply for passports if necessary,   several months in advance.

11. Seating arrangements
  This can be one of the most challenging parts of wedding planning. Once the   majority of your RSVPS are in hand, you’ll want to think about seating. Most   reception halls will give you a seating map that you can use to determine seating.   If you are a visual person, you may want to enlarge the map and cut out the   names of guests to stick in different areas of the room until the seating is   just right.

12. Balances due
  In the last months to weeks before the wedding, most balances will be due for   the services. The reception hall will want a final seating count and you will   be picking up your gown. When paying these balances, it’s also a good idea to   confirm with musicians, photographers and limo companies.

13. Rehearsal
  Set a rehearsal a week prior to the wedding or within a few days before. This   gives everyone a trial run. A dinner is customary following the rehearsal.

14. The big day
  Rest up the night before and organize all of your wardrobe, honeymoon packing   and then get set for one of the most momentous days of your life.