Congratulations on your engagement! The moment when you and your significant other decide to spend the rest of your lives together is one of the biggest moments of your life! It’s time to pop the bubbly, snap a special photo and share the news!
You may think, “Now what?” Wedding planning can be wonderful – and a little overwhelming – so Meadow Brook’s experienced event specialists have pulled together their top tips for couples to do once they’re engaged.
Be in the Moment
Before you get locked into wedding planning, remember these early days are special for you and your partner. These are the exhilarating moments when you and your new fiancé can enjoy each other and dream of your wonderful future together. Take a moment to celebrate between the two of you before you spread the news.
It is fun and exciting to post on social media, but don’t forget to take time to share with the important people in your life – and consider those, such as grandparents, who may not have Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Visiting, calling, or video chatting with loved ones lets you enjoy the moment and celebrate your engagement together.
Talk to Your Fiancé
When wedding planning, there will be a lot of decisions to make, both together and with your new parent-in-laws, but the first big question is “What do WE want?”
The early days of an engagement are a good time to take each other’s temperature on important issues, such as who you’d like in the wedding party, religious considerations for the ceremony, size of the guest list, the desired season for your big day, general budget and more. While you don’t need to get down to every detail right away, having a plan for some of these major items will help you narrow the search for venues and dates,
Get Inspired
Once you’ve narrowed down your season, size, and budget, the wedding planning fun really begins! From wedding magazines to wedding planning websites like The Knot and Wedding Wire, to the all-time favorite Pinterest, there are so many places to help newly engaged couples get inspired and excited.
Consider the kind of atmosphere you want. Are you focused on a dreamy, garden party ceremony, an elegant ballroom reception, or an electric dance floor? You and your fiancé can discuss your style and aesthetic choices. Now you can explore trends, the overall style and ideas that could be a part of your big day.
Set Your Wedding Timeline
A 2022 study by The Knot shows the average length of an engagement is 15 months. Some couples prefer a long engagement while other couples are ready to tie the knot right away. Either way, one of the first questions from family and friends is always “when?”
It’s important to understand the volume of details that go into planning a major event. The best way to set everyone’s expectations for the wedding timeline is to determine when you would like to get married and work backwards. Some couples know they want to be married outdoors while others are interested in winter weddings. Determining a general date and season helps you to back up every other decision and creates your timeline.
Now to Plan the Wedding
Now that you have some of the big decisions under your belt, it is time to actually start planning your wedding! This is the time to attend wedding open houses, visit venues and research great vendors such as photographers and florists. Ask for recommendations from friends and family who have recently been married and consider working with a wedding planner or event specialist who can help.
Planning a wedding may be filled with surprises, emotions and learning opportunities. Remember to pack your patience and enjoy your new fiancé while you plan the first day of the rest of your lives. Happy wedding planning!
Meadow Brook Hall hosts free wedding open houses and site visits that give couples a chance to explore the estate and meet with our event specialists who can help you navigate the path to your dream wedding.
For more information about weddings at Meadow Brook Hall, contact mbhevent@oakland.edu or call (248) 364-6220.
