“Yes” was your answer. A new and exciting part of your life is about to begin, surrounded by pure happiness, happy tears, and many congratulations. But after the first happiness wears off, you might wonder, “What’s next?” From “just engaged” to “I do” is an exciting time, but it can also be a little stressful. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. After you get engaged, you can ensure that the road to the altar is as smooth as your love.
Spread Your Happiness and Take It All In
Before you jump right into planning your wedding, take some time to just breathe and enjoy this special moment. The wedding is a big moment in your relationship, and you’ll talk about it for years to come. Get a glass of champagne, tell your best friend the good news, and get ready for many well wishes and love. Don’t rush; now is the time to enjoy the glow of finding love.
After your close friends and family have had time to process the news, you can think about making a bigger announcement. Sharing your happiness with your community, whether it’s through a formal statement or an honest post on social media, is a wonderful way to start getting involved.
Dream a Little Dream, Together
So now comes the fun part! Before planning and budgeting, discuss your wedding day desires with your partner.
- Is it a small ceremony where people walk around barefoot on a beach in Queensland or a big event at a beautiful farm in the Yarra Valley?
- It’s possible that your style would fit better at a country barn wedding in the Adelaide Hills or a chic party in the city of Sydney.
Now is the time to talk about your main worries. Please identify the aspects that are non-negotiable for each of you.
- Is it delicious food?
- A live band that keeps everyone on the dance floor?
- Or the beautiful pictures?
This initial brainstorming session will play a crucial role in the planning process, ensuring that the day truly reflects your unique personalities as a couple. This is where all of your wonderful ideas will begin as you begin your dream wedding planning.
The Nitty-Gritty: Budget and Guest List
Costs and a Guest List are the Details
Look at the cash. It’s not the prettiest part of wedding prep, but it’s vital. Being open and honest about money early on will save you a lot of stress later on. Please research the average wedding costs in your state to gain a clearer understanding of what yours might entail. In Australia, the prices can be very different, so a good starting point is very important.
Now that you have a decent idea of how much you can spend, you can start making the party list. This will significantly influence many of the choices you make later, including selecting the venue and determining the food costs. Prepare to negotiate; the process can be delicate. A helpful tip is to create ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ lists to help you decide which guests are most important.
Setting the Scene: When and Where
If you have a general idea of how many people you want to invite, you can start to think about a date and a place. It’s a good idea to start your study early because popular wedding sites in Australia book up 12 to 18 months in advance. Choose the season you want to get married in:
- A cosy winter party
- A warm summer evening
- A cool fall afternoon
- A bright spring day
The entire day of your wedding will be shaped by your chosen location. As you look at your options, which could be anything from a beautiful country house to a stunning waterfront location, your wedding day will start to take shape. If managing all the suppliers and deadlines feels overwhelming, now is a good time to consider the benefits of hiring a professional wedding event manager. A schedule lets you focus on the fun parts of the process by taking care of some tasks.
Don’t Forget to Take Care of Your Friendship
Plans for the wedding can be very busy, but it’s an exciting trip you’re both on. Getting closer to your wedding can make you feel more excited and emotional. It’s normal to feel a mix of happiness, excitement, and even worry. Your relationship and talking to each other must come first.
Set aside time for date nights that have nothing to do with the wedding. Keep taking care of your relationship and support each other through the ups and downs of getting ready. It’s also important to recognise that the wedding is a big change in your life. Getting mental health support can be a proactive and beneficial way to make sure that you both handle this change with strength and resolve.
Let the Celebrations Begin!
Are you prepared for the celebration to commence? Once you’ve made some of the most important choices, you can begin to consider an engagement party. Your families can bond, and you can celebrate with loved ones. Participation parties in Australia are often casual and easygoing, which fits with our laid-back lifestyle. Whether it’s a casual get-together at your favourite pub in the neighbourhood, a hip cocktail party, or a barbeque in your garden, make it a party that speaks to you.
Once again, good job with your involvement! Right now is a very intriguing time in your life. These first steps will help you plan your wedding and set you up for a lovely married life.
We’d love to hear what you think! What was the first thing you did after that? Let’s hear your stories and tips in the comments below!
