He's just popped the question and you said Yes! You're on cloud 9. Once your head has stopped spinning and you've returned to earth you realize you are engaged! Almost as quickly as you said yes the wheels begin to turn. There are a million things running through your mind. We need to pick a date, select a venue, compile a guest list, choose attendants, find the perfect dress, what flavor cake, what style or theme, color and decor, indoor or outdoor, d.j., band or other live music, photographer, videographer, plated, buffet or hors d'oeuvres reception and the list goes on and on and on. Before you've even had a chance to announce your engagement you're exhausted with just the thought of all you have to do. RELAX! Take a deep breath and enjoy your engagement. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and your wedding plans don't have to be completed in one either. You have as much time as you want to plan your special day and make it everything you've ever imagined it to be. Whether you decide to do all the planning your self or hire a professional to assist you, the entire process from beginning to end should be fun and exciting. Allow yourself enough time to feasibly put together the wedding you are envisioning. This will reduce stress and give you a greater selection of vendors to choose from. Prioritize and take it a step at a time. Visit your local bookstore and purchase a Wedding Planner or get a 3 ring binder and make your own using free printables available on the Internet. There are a variety of sites that allow you to print worksheets from their sites. Now would be a good time to objectively look at how much time you have to invest in the planning and coordinating process. If you are a bride who is a full-time student, a professional or who has other constraints that limit the amount of time you can invest in planning your wedding, you might want to consider hiring a Wedding Planner who can guide and direct you each step of the way. Maybe you have
some time to spend on coordinating and planning, but would like help in locating and securing venues and vendors, suggestions on getting the most for your money, ceremony or reception design, negotiating contracts or other areas. Many wedding planners offer partial planning packages that allow you to do most of the planning yourself, but offer assistance when and where you need it. Maybe you have plenty of time and people to help you in the planning and coordinating process, but you would like for your friends and family to be "guests" at your wedding and not be working the day of. A day of/weekend of package might be something for you to consider. Which ever direction you choose to go remember to have fun in the process. It's your special day and it should be the very best it can be.
