So I’m Engaged, Now What?
Congratulations to all those that got engaged over the holidays! It takes some time for it to sink in, but now you need to start planning the wedding. I’m sure you have a million thoughts and ideas going through your head, but most importantly, what should you do first?
Here are my top 10 to get you started!
1) Announce your engagement.
You can do this through facebook/blog/build your wedding website/local newspaper/or plan an engagement party.
2) Set a budget. Where is the money coming from and how much? Know that wedding loans do exist if you need one. The average wedding in Columbus, Ohio for 200 guests runs about $28,000.
3) Hire a professional wedding planner. Make sure you interview at least 3, ASK questions, and make sure your planner is CERTIFIED, QUALIFIED, EDUCATED, and EXPERIENCED!
4) Set the date and send “SAVE the DATES”. You want to send these 6-8 months in advance to your guests. Very popular if you have a lot of out of town guests. You can get these from your wedding planner, order online, or go to a local invitation shop. Save the dates are fun and this is also where you can be creative. They can be magnets, calendars, cards, or even evites.
5) Get organized and stay organized. Start your wedding binder. This is where all your thoughts, plans, pictures, and ideas will be collected. Keep this with you and take it everywhere, because you never know who you might run into.
6) Create an inspiration board. You can create an actual board, it could just be a sheet of paper with lots of cut out ideas, or you can create it online. This is a very handy tool to show wedding professionals when you meet with them so they understand your desired feel and look for your wedding.
7) Start shopping for the wedding dress. The local shops we have in Columbus are:
9) Attend bridal shows. Get information, get inspired, interview wedding professionals, and win prizes!!
January 8th & 9th -The Columbus Bride Show, Vets Memorial, 12-5pm
January 13th-The Wedding Preview Cocktail Party, The Blackwell, 5-8pm
January 21st- Franklin Park Conservatory Bridal Show, FPC, 6-9pm
January 23rd-The Perfect Wedding Guide Winter Gala, Hilton Polaris, 12-4
January 30th -Claiborne Productions Bridal Expo, Aladdin Shrine Center, 11-4
February 17th-The Renaissance Hotel Wedding Tasting, 5:30-8pm
February 20th- South Asian Bridal Show, Hyatt Regency Columbus, 1-5pm
March 6th-Columbus Buckeye Bridal Bash, Ohio Union, 11-4pm
April 15th – The Wedding Experience, Grand Oaks, Pinnacle, and Oakhurst, 6:30-10:30pm
10) DID I SAY HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER?






























