Getting engaged is exciting! But you might get overwhelmed at the thought of all the things you need to do before your wedding. We’ve compiled the most important things to do before your wedding, so that you can enjoy your happy day.
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Tell people – in the right order
It’s tempting to share your bling all over Instagram and Facebook. But before you do that, make sure you tell the most important people one-on-one.
A phone call or visit to both sets of parents, a phone call to your best friend and a message for your siblings should come before any public announcement. Otherwise, you could be dealing with grumpy family and friends before you even get started. And that is a recipe for a disastrous kick-off to the engagement.
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Decide on a time-frame
Next, it’s time to sit down with your partner and figure out some important factors. The first decision is when you want to celebrate your big day. Depending on your circumstances, this could be months or years.
A time-frame also helps you to decide other important points. It may also need to be tweaked to suit your preferences – if you get engaged in winter, but want a spring wedding, you might need to be realistic and set it at 15 months rather than 3 months.
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Get a realistic budget set
The number one problem that arises for an engaged couple is arguing over finances. So while it’s early, figure out what you want to spend, and how you’re going to manage that.
Find out early on if either family is willing to contribute or cover a particular cost. Then, decide on how much you’re willing to spend. Some couples can only afford a few grand, whereas others have far more to spend.
Remember: the key here is for it to be realistic. You probably won’t be able to save 50% or more of your pay-checks for a long period of time. It’s also important to know what your partner is willing to sacrifice – some partners would prefer to wait longer and give up less.
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Agree on a theme or concept
It’s impossible to plan a wedding without having some idea of what you want it to look like! But remember, you have to agree on this. If he wants a Star Wars theme, and you want a soft pastel wedding, it could go ugly quickly.
If you’re not sure what you want, have a browse of Pinterest for inspiration. Your concept can simply be colours, or you can extend a theme across the whole wedding – food, decorations and outfits.
Once your concept is set, remember to stick to it. This makes it easy to decide on what extras to include, and what to skip. For example, a modern DJ might not mesh with a vintage wedding – but a vintage car would!
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Pick your wedding party
Now that you have a concept and a budget, it’s time to go ahead and decide on the wedding party. You might just stick to a best man and maid of honour, or you might want all your best friends. The choice is yours.
If you want to be a little creative, you might like to come up with a fun way to ask, or a little present to match the concept.
Once you have your people, make sure you bring them in on the concept. After all, you don’t want a mismatched wedding party! So let them know if they are buying their own outfit, and what colours or styles to aim for.
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Go shopping with your girls
Time for the fun stuff! Now that the groundwork is laid, you can hit the shops and start shopping up a storm. This is the time to get everything sorted and booked, from the dress to the flowers and decorations.
Try to get this done fairly early on, so that you can have fun with it. No one likes a Bridezilla who throws a tantrum when she can’t find her perfect dress on Day 1! You might want to mix in other fun group activities, such as meals out, to reduce the stress.
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Check out some venue options
For most couples, the biggest chunk of change goes towards a venue. So you want to make sure you’re getting what you want, for the best price. That’s why it’s good to look at a few options, even if you have your heart set on one place already.
Some people want the wedding and reception at the one venue. Others prefer to split them up, so you’ll need to make sure everyone can make it from one to the other.
You might also prefer a low cost option, such as a large family home or a local park. Remember that low-cost options can still add up – for example, you might still need a marquee in case of rain.
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Ask for help
Whether your wedding plans are big or small, the stress can pile up. It’s worse if you’re juggling it all around other obligations, such as work and hobbies. So if you are feeling the pressure, ask for some help.
If your budget allows for it, you might want to hire a wedding planner to take care of the little details. If not, then ask a trusted friend or family member to step in.
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Go cake tasting
Planning a wedding isn’t all stress. So take a day off from your chores, grab your partner, and spend a day cake-tasting! After all, the cake is an essential part of the day (or at least, that’s what you can tell yourself).
Try some flavours and types you might not be familiar with. Sometimes, the perfect cake is something a little different. If you get torn between two flavours, consider two smaller cakes, or even mixed cupcakes.
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Get some cool wheels sorted
The last thing you need is worry on the big day about a car breaking down! So make sure you get some quality transport arranged.
Australia In Style has plenty of options for you – from Hollywood luxury to classic style, even sporty convertibles! We can also cater for larger wedding parties and wedding guests.
Our cars come with everything you could want for your big day. Driven by a trained chauffeur, a car will come with car decorations, sparkling wine, chilled water, a snack pack, and even a golf umbrella for rainy days. So get this one ticked off your list quick-smart.
Bonus tip: It’s a big day, but it’s only one day. So have fun, and stress less!
If you have the absolute basics covered – food, family, friends and your other half – everything else is the cherry on top. Your wedding won’t be a disaster if your flowers don’t turn up or your bridesmaids don’t match perfectly.
So remember to enjoy every day as an engaged couple. After all, a wedding is simply a celebration of your love.
