Mad Talks: You’re Engaged… Now What?!
Find Your Venue
Some thoughtful advice: IF you are planning for a wedding during peak-wedding-season (June-October), I strongly suggest planning ahead.
“Okay, but Madie, MOST people don’t plan on when they are getting engaged!”
Touché. What I mean is, don’t rush your engagement season. I am just as excited for you, however, if your heart is set on a specific venue/vibe/vendor, and that season is less than 6 months away - don’t get your hopes up when vendors are already booked for that said season. As your friend, I would rather you enjoy and cherish this season with your partner and check off all the vendors you are dreaming of, than to rush through it, book with your plan D, E, and F. And not LOVE your wedding planning experience.
Book Your Photographer:
This is just as important when booking your venue. Wedding photographers and wedding venues go hand-in-hand. While you are finalizing on a venue, multi-task your time and also inquire with the photographer you are wanting to book with. Plan ahead! Please do not put this off when planning, odds are - your photographer/videographer may have helpful tips and tricks to the industry that can put planning at ease.
Talk Budgets
No one likes talking finances, okay? But this can set the tone for your wedding and its luxuries. NO - you do NOT need to take out a mortgage for your wedding. NO, you do NOT need to book with vendors whose prices you don’t agree with and sacrifice your day-to-day lifestyle. NO - you do not need to do XYZ that cost a kidney at your wedding because it’s “trendy.” This is a personal choice, a personal discussion with your partner (and family members, if they are offering to help financially), but ultimately your choice. My biggest advice to you, is to always keep all parties involved who are offering a monetary amount and informed on what is going on.
Establish your Vibe/Theme
Your Pinterest board you had from middle school, may not be your vibe anymore. And if it is - the time you would’ve spent on planning and researching are cut in half! Bounce off your vibe with your venue location. A country-styled wedding may not mesh well with a little-Italy styled wedding venue, and vice versa.
Book your other BIG vendors
Your caterers, bartenders, DJ, hairstylists and makeup artists, florists, and rentals! The sooner you book, the more options and time to plan you will have! While no wedding vendor is “small,” based upon my expertise - venues and photographers are constantly booked first and booked out first. While this may vary from location to location, know that this is what I notice through my business.
If you have any questions or additional topics, you can email me at madiegphotography@gmail.com with the subject titled “Anonymous Question/Topic” and I will help you out as best as I can!
