Getting engaged can be one of the most memorable and exciting moments in your life. For t­he first few weeks after the proposal, you’re both filled with happiness and are bursting with anticipation. You’ve met the man or woman of your dreams, you’ve decided to get engaged, and now it’s time to plan the wedding the official celebration of your love and commitment.

We can help prepare for all your wedding needs, questions and planning and we can make it the best day it can be for you and those you care about. This means a lot of preparations for a couple, as well as for their family and friends.

Things, such as the invitations, reception, catering, music, dress, wedding rings, transportation, bridesmaids, in-laws, location, and budget must be taken into account and planned for.
An unprepared family gathering is not a good place to announce the engagement. Schedule and organize a small family gathering during the engagement’s first month. As a couple, you need some time to revel in just being engaged. Plan to host an engagement party two to four months after the proposal. That way it will give the future couple a chance to visualize their eventual wedding, crucial element to consider when deciding on the type of event too throws.

Everyone who is invited to the engagement party should ultimately be invited to the wedding. Otherwise, guests might wonder what they did at the engagement party to insult you. That being said if the couple decides to host their own wedding and keep the list small but the family wants to throw an extravagant engagement party, let the family arrange it. Just be sure to let people know that the wedding will be small so no feelings will be hurt when guests aren’t invited to the wedding. If you are worried that your friends will think you want to have a big bash just to garner gifts, include a nice note in the invitation that requests no gifts.

Every host, family member and couple wants to plan an unforgettable affair, but you never want to upstage the main event. Try to create a different mood for the engagement party while maintaining your own style. You won’t want to force a casual cookout if you and your guests favor formal parties, and vice versa. But if your guests are up to it, set apart a formal affair with a sit on the floor, buffet style engagement event; preview a semiformal daytime wedding with a hip cocktail party, ties optional; or balance a destination wedding with a home cooked dinner party.

In every step from engagement to wedding the couple should always consider. Choose a date for the engagement or wedding that all parents, relatives, and close friends can make commitments on.  Remember that a wedding or engagement can be very simple and cost effective or very expensive and glamorize so get creative. Your party can be as casual or formal as you like, and there’s no rule against hosting the events on the beach, on a boat, at a vineyard, in a backyard, a public park, a church or anywhere else. Just keep in mind the number of people you’ll be having, the budget, theme and the kind of mood you’d like to set.

Always stick to a budget from the start of your wedding or engagement event. Write down all of the elements of the party: the invitations, the food, the drinks, the entertainment, the décor, the dresses and suites and come up with a realistic estimation. Keep in mind that some of the nicest engagement parties can be laid back at home affairs, and a wedding a simple backyard gathering.

If hosting your wedding in a church consider contacting your local Clergy as soon as you have some dates in mind. Churches that are high in demand can be booked and scheduled years ahead, especially if you want a Sunday or Saturday wedding date in the summer.
Some churches have restrictions so ask if your photographer or videographer will be allowed inside the church. Since you can run into restrictions, make sure to clarify all your questions exactly when you meet.

Consider having the church bells ring out at the end of your ceremony. This can be quite spectacular but it will be an additional cost. Having some Doves released as you walk out of the Church would be worth considering for that extra special romantic touch. When you meet with your Clergy, be prepared to discuss the reasons behind wanting a religious ceremony. The making of vows and marriage in a church is taken very seriously.

The final week before a wedding can be extremely harried and filled with last minute details but it is important to take some time to relax during this week. It’s important to ensure that everything is in place for the wedding and that nothing is overlooked but it’s also important to remain calm and not get caught up in the details of the wedding. Allowing yourself some relaxation time will ensure that you are well prepared for your wedding and that you have fully enjoyed the planning process.