Wedding Tips

So you’re engaged, what’s next (part 2)

The step-by-step guide (and worksheet) to your first few steps in your wedding planning process.

By now, you’ve hopefully completed the first eight steps from my previous post. If you haven’t, go check it out first. Here’s the link — So you’re engaged, what’s next (part 1). The next steps should be done between 12-10 months before your wedding.

For the next few steps you will be working on hiring wedding vendors. It’s important to be conscious of two things, #1 is the importance of the particular type of vendor at your wedding and #2 is the amount of time the vendor will need to be there.

The rule of thumb is the more time the vendor needs to be at your wedding, the more likely you will need to hire that person earlier than others. If the person can’t work multiple weddings on the same day (ie wedding planners, photographers, entertainment…) they are a higher booking priority.

#9 Research! Now’s the time (if you haven’t already) to start your spreadsheet full of potential wedding planners or coordinators, wedding photographers & videographers. You can use one tab for each vendor to keep them in one place.

  • Ask important questions like: Are you available, what’s your average cost, what do you provide, how long have you been in the wedding business?
    • It’s important to note, while the average cost is important, it shouldn’t be a deciding factor. Yes, you should try to stay within budget, but if your heart is telling you to pick someone outside your budget, maybe there’s a reason for that. See if there is anything they can do to work with you before you count them out.

#10 Whittle down your list to the top 2-4 from each category. Schedule meetings with them. Make sure you either talk on the phone, meet in person or over a zoom-like chat.

  • This is important because it’s much easier to get a feel for a company/person to see if they’ll be compatible with you and your wants and needs in person or over the phone. You don’t want to just hire someone because they are cheap or because they were the vendor for your cousin’s wedding. What works for others may not work for you.

#11 Hire your wedding planner/coordinator. You can provide your whittled down list of photographers and videographers and see if they have any insight on them. There are so many wedding vendors in the Houston area, thought, that there’s a high chance that the planner hasn’t worked with them (yet). Don’t count vendors out just because they haven’t worked with your planner.

#12 Hire your wedding photographer and videograper. Not everyone hires a videographer, but if you are wanting one, now’s the time to hire.

#13 Since you have a location, date and most likely time for your weddings. It’s time to work on your save-the-dates and your invitations. There are loads of options for both. You can make magnets, interesting trinkets with the dates inscribed. There are large online companies that do invitations and small individuals. You can get invitations designed and printed from an online shop or go into a store and pick some out. You can even make them yourselves. Below are some ideas of where to start your invitation hunt.

  • Vistaprint.com
  • Etsy
  • Google “wedding invitations”
  • Check Instagram #WeddingInvitationDesign

#14 Now that you’ve got some of the bigger vendors out of the way, it’s time to think about food. What kind of food do you want to have at your wedding? What kind of food do you want at your rehearsal? Make sure to talk with your parents & in-laws to be if they will be helping you throw either your wedding or rehearsal. Once you’ve come up. Research your catering options and whittle the list down to a couple. If you want, this is a part you can delegate to someone else.

#15 Pat yourself on the back! You deserve a big break or a special date night. Go out & have some fun. Don’t think about wedding planning at all.

Download the worksheet. Click on this link — So you’re engaged, what’s next–10-12.pdf

If you liked this information and want even more amazing wedding planning and posing tips and tricks, sign up for my email series and get all of my 10-years of wedding knowledge free to your email! Fill out the below form to start getting emails today. Please note, I do NOT sell your information or spam call you. I just want you to have the best, least stressful time planning your wedding.

 

kelly.anne.urban@gmail.com

Recent Posts

Dia De Los Muertos Engagement Portraits

Celebrating Love and Heritage: A Día de los Muertos Engagement SessionWhen two people come together…

1 week ago

Why Your Wedding Needs a Private Last Dance: A Perfect Ending to Your Day

Picture this: the reception is winding down, your guests are chatting and celebrating, but you…

4 weeks ago

A Sunset Engagement Session on Galveston Island: Love at the Beach

There’s something undeniably magical about a sunset engagement session, especially when it takes place on…

1 month ago

Why Your First Dance Should Follow Your Grand Entrance

The grand entrance at a wedding is one of those big, unforgettable moments. You and…

2 months ago

Capturing Love at the Orchard at Caney Creek

A Beautiful Engagement Session with Sam & liz. Engagement photos are such a beautiful way…

2 months ago

Essential Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer: Beyond the Price Tag

How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer: Key Questions to Consider When planning your wedding,…

2 months ago