Just Got Engaged? We Break Down the Next Steps for You! – The Wedding Planning Guide

Did he finally pop the big question? Yay! Congratulations! We couldn’t be any happier for you. Since you’ve joined the bride-to-be’s bandwagon now, it’s time to start with the wedding planning arrangements.

The sooner the better is the mantra we ask all the brides-to-be to follow; after all, it’s your once-in-a-lifetime moment. We can only imagine that you’ve been dreaming (sometimes, day-dreaming too) since you were a little girl about how magical your wedding day would be. I know you’d blame Disney for all those fairy tale stories now.

Anyhow, your journey to the big day has begun and now is the time to make all those wedding fancies come true. But make sure while planning a wedding, you don’t make it just all about you. Do get your fiancé involved wherever possible; after all, it’s his wedding too, right!

Announce the Engagement

Photo By: Jodi Clickers

So, first and foremost, before you upload any highlights of your engagement onto Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media platforms, ensure you let all your family members know personally that he proposed and you said yes!

Above was just a red flag of our wedding planning guide. Now, let’s progress into the real heavy bit, all the serious stuff we mean.

Pick Your Date

Photo By:  PhotoBhoot 9

Once your close buddies know that you’re engaged, the immediate question that follows is when is the big day? Just as you’ve dreamed of every other detail in your head about the wedding, we’re sure you have a date in mind too. If not, sit with your fiancé and fix on a season or a month that you would want your big day to be held on.

Insure Your Engagement Ring

Kamaschachter

Whether you’re disorganised, clumsy or disaster just seems to find you at every nook or corner; you need to be very careful and organised. Rings have their way of getting damaged or lost right under your eye. Therefore, it’s wise to get your precious rings insured and not wait for disaster to strike.

Make a Rough Guest List

The best way to make your guest list would be requesting all your family members to make an A list and a B list of invites. The A list will include all the important people whose attendance on your special day is a must. The B list includes those whom even if you strike off your list, it won’t really make a big difference to your festivities. Once you collect these lists from family members of both sides, sit with your fiancé and create a rough guest list. Indian weddings tend to have last minute guest entries; therefore, always keep an approximate number so that it’s easy for you to accommodate last-minute confirmations.

Set Your Budget

Your bank balance is now out in the open. Discuss your finances and all the savings you two must’ve stocked up to celebrate your union. Your budget or budget planning is the make or break point from where all your wedding planning arrangements head forward. Do not make unrealistic assumptions and watch it fall flat on your face when you’re hit with the current market rates.

Decide Who Will Be Your Bridal Party

Photo By: Dot Dusk

If you are having a catholic wedding, decide your entourage right away. That will include the maid of honour, bridesmaids, groomsmen, page boy, and flower girl and so on. The bridal party (for wedding of any religion) could also include the key people who will be managing the wedding festivities you intend to host. Decide on the names and get confirmations beforehand of their willingness and availability on the fixed dates.

Decide On a Theme and Wedding Decor

Photo By: The Creative Lens

Make your wedding day a personalised affair by including a theme. Your wedding décor, festivities and favours will fall into place if you have a theme running through. You can also incorporate the theme in your wedding invitation for starters, giving a hint to your guests on what they can look forward to at your wedding. You could take some ideas and inspirations from here.

Scout and Book a Venue

ITC Windsor

The sooner the better! Wedding venues get booked as early as a year in advance. To avoid disappointments, start scouting for the best and reasonable venues based on the functions that will be held and whether or not it suits your requirements and décor ideas. It is always advisable to book a venue close to your ceremony venue or have just one venue that accommodates your wedding ceremony and reception at one place to cut down on transportation or vendor costs.

Scout, Interview and Book Your Vendors

Photo By: The Creative Lens

Hunt for the best vendors around the town; you could also hire them from other cities if you’re willing to accommodate their travel and stay expenses. By vendors we mean, your mehndi artist, decorators, caterers, makeup artists, etc. But above all, whom you pick as your photographer is what matters to seize the moments of your big. Ensure once you’ve finalised on your vendors, you personally interview them to check if your personalities match. Even though they might be the best in your industry, you wouldn’t want to be dealing with all the fuss that comes along with them.

Shop for Your Bridal Couture

Photo By: PhotoTantra

Shop, shop, shop and go berserk! But when you shop, shop smart! Don’t splurge on things you would regret buying or end up having a big loan before you begin your new journey. Save up! For instance – If you love a Sabyasachi lehenga-choli but cannot afford the complete outfit, try a mix and match. Buy only the lehenga if it fits your budget and match it with a different choli and duppata that goes well with it. You could also opt to get your bridal couture on rent, but make sure you do not end up dropping anything on it (otherwise, be ready to kiss goodbye to your deposit). You could also check out our online store for the best deals on branded bridal wear, jewellery and accessories.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun!

Photo By: Amour Affairs

Don’t get all worked up with all that running around to make things perfect for your D-day. Remember, no matter how well-prepared you may be, last minute glitches are a part and parcel of any kind of celebrations. So, take time off, now and then, during your wedding planning phase to relax. Head to a spa, pamper yourself silly, go on a date with your girlfriends and spend quality time with your family (without discussing the wedding).

We hope this wedding planning guide smoothens the roadway to your big day! Should you need expert advice and help, you could always hire a wedding planner.