Getting engaged is one of the most exciting times if your life. It can also become a suddenly overwhelming time. You may want to announce your engagement, someone may throw you an engagement party, and then there is that thing called wedding planning...
There are a couple of important questions to ask yourself before you begin the planning process:
1. What type of wedding do you want to have?
2. How many people do you want to invite?
3. Who is paying?
4. What is your budget?
The answers to questions 3 and 4 may impact the answers to 1 and 2. If you want a wedding that may be more expensive but don't have the budget to cover it, you may need to cut the guest list. If you want a small wedding, but your parents are paying and want a bigger wedding, you may have a problem deciding on a guest count.
Once you answer those 4 starting questions, you should prioritize your vendors. If food or photography are most important to you, they should receive a greater portion of your budget. If that means you can't have a videographer or need to have a DJ rather than a band, then you prioritize accordingly. Once you have set up your budget, you can begin to look for a venue and other vendors.
Unless you have a particular day that is special to you as a couple, it is best to choose a venue and pick a date for your wedding according to that venue's availability. Once you have a venue and see how that fits into your budget, you can begin to look for other vendors.
There are resources that can assist you in looking for recommended wedding vendors. A few of them are The Knot, Project Wedding, and if you are located in a more populated area I highly recommend Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book. Many wedding blogs have a preferred vendor list, but keep in mind some of these vendors pay for the honor of being recommended, so always make sure you get references or recommendations from someone who has used that vendor, or check for reviews online of their services.
Sources differ on how many vendors from each group you should interview before making a deposit or signing a contract. While I think it is very important to shop around, especially so you can compare prices and be sure that you are being charged a fair price, I only interviewed one or two vendors from each catagory. I did my research beforehand, however, so by the time I met with a vendor I was really only confirming a decision I had already made. Vendor catagories you will need to consider may include:
Venue
Caterer (food, drink, service)
Officiant
Photography
Band or DJ (may be different for ceremony and reception)
Cake
Florist
Invitations & other paper goods
Wedding Planner or Day-of Coordinator
Videography
Transportation
Bride's Dress
Groom's Attire
Wedding Rings
Favors
Rehearsal Dinner
Hair & Makeup for Bride/Bridal Party
Calligraphy
Accessories
Rentals
Figuring out what type of wedding you want to have and choosing your venue, date, and other vendors can be overwhelming, but if you do your research, take a deep breath, and remember to enjoy the planning process, you'll make it down the aisle with your fiancee' and your sanity, and you will have yourselves a beautiful day.
