Your partner finally got down on one knee and popped the question. Now that the initial celebration is beginning to phase out, and you're left asking yourself: "Where do I start?"

Research and Logistics - Let's Talk Vibes


Your first task, as a newly engaged fiancé is to decide what the vibe will be. Are you going for an elegant black-tie wedding worthy of Taylor and Travis? Are you more of a country couple hoping for the hoedown of a lifetime? Did you and your love bond over Twilight, and now you'd like to recreate the iconic Cullen wedding? Are you bookworms that see yourself surrounded by stacks of novels on your wedding day?


Take all your fantasies and plug them right into Pinterest. Start building that mood board. Save images you love in a folder on your desktop. You also need to think about not just where you want to be, but who you want to be with. Do you see yourselves surrounded by 150 of your closest friends and family, or would you prefer a small affair with just your intimate circle?


Lastly, but importantly.... budget. We don't want to talk about money, but once you start getting quotes it can be pretty overwhelming. Pick a number you're comfortable with spending. You can have a wedding with any budget, but at some point you might have to compromise about what you want, or negotiate with yourself for a different number.

Check out a wedding expo or two!


You and your fiancé have a few pretty pictures, a vague guest count, and an idea of what we want to spend on the celebration. A good place to jump off the wedding-planning deep end is a bridal expo! Do a quick google search for Wedding Shows near you. The best ones, in my experience, are usually about $15 per ticket, but almost always give away tickets for free when you register online.


At the show, you'll have the opportunity to see what's trending in the "wedding world," and you'll be face-to-face with wedding professionals in fields you might not even be aware exist. Did you know you can hire someone to walk around with a portable cannoli-filling station at your reception? Neither did I, until I met one of these vendors at an expo! Most booths will have little giveaways, but all will have helpful advice for beginning your planning shenanigans.


Shows can be overwhelming if you go unprepared- look over this guide before you go so know exactly what to look for.

Let's go on a Tour!


If you didn't find your venue at the expo, you'll want to do a quick google search. Search engines like the Knot or the Wedding Wire can be especially helpful at narrowing down your favorites. Contact the ones you love, go on tours, ask SO many questions. Figure out what comes with each venue and make a spreadsheet that lays it all out. You might think a bare bones venue might be a bargain, but once you add the cost of renting the farmhouse tables and Chiavari chairs, it might be more expensive than something more all-inclusive that has a higher initial price tag. Does the venue you love allow any outside vendors or do you have to choose ones from their list? Do your vendors need insurance? Once you've picked a venue and settled on a date, read that contract over like your very high retainer depends on it - because it does! Make sure to read this guide so you know what red flags to look for before you sign!

Counting Down the Days!


Now you have a wedding date! Build your guest list and send out those Save-the-Dates. You can find some really helpful wedding binders and planning timelines online that will keep you on track and ticking things off your list. Pretty much everything else can be done at your own pace, but here are a few things to keep in mind:


-Wedding Dress: Wedding dresses can take up to 9 Months to order from a bridal shop. Falling in love with a dress just to learn that it won't arrive on time sucks. If you plan to wear a dress, give yourself plenty of time to make many appointments to find the right one, and to get it tailored once it arrives. If you're short on time, there's still hope! Most states have a few resale shops. The Bride Project in Ann Arbor is a great example. You can walk out the same day as your appointment with the perfect dress, and profits from gently used dresses go towards cancer research.


-Photographer, Videographer, and DJ: We typically book weddings up to two years in advance, with our most popular dates being Michigan October weddings. If your date is quickly approaching, it doesn't hurt to ask if it's still open! Weekday and off-season dates generally tend to be available for longer. If you want to use engagement photos for your invitations, you'll want to shop for photographers a year or more before the wedding. That gives you time to get your engagement photos back and make sure you love your photographer before the big day.


-Wedding Planners and Coordinators: If you want lots of help planning and a stressless experience, start looking for that wedding planner as soon as you get engaged. They can help you hunt for venues, book decorators, hire vendors and pretty much everything under the sun. If you want to do the planning yourself and bring someone on just to navigate the flow of your day, make sure to book your coordinator around nine-months before the event.


-Flowers: Florists tend to book out 6-months in advance. This gives them time to help design and order your flowers. If you plan to go the Costco route, you'll need to get your order ready to place one-month before the event, but check out my ballin' on a  budget guide for more tips on DIYing your florals.



Remember Why You're Doing It


My favorite thing about weddings is that not a single one is the same. If you're starting your planning journey now and you want to get hitched by next weekend, do it! There will always be vendors available. Don't want to hire any vendors? Don't! Do it potluck style in your backyard. Forgot to send your invitations? Whatever, send everyone a text. Anyone who wants to be there will be there. Don't get lost in the sauce and remember to keep your eye on the prize: You and your best friend get to say I-Do, no matter what!