Creating Your Wedding

Firstly, CONGRATS!

Take the time to enjoy being engaged, becuase the time will run out quickly. So seriously, take a breath. Look at your fiancé, and see how lucky you are to have found the person youre going to spend the rest of your life with!

The most popular length of time to be engaged is 9-15 months. Me personally, will be engaged for 14 months once my wedding rolls around. Taking in to consideration how long it will take you to raise the money needed, how far in advanced you need to book vendors, and what season you want to be married in can be a big factor when choosing your wedding date. Honestly, your budget is the biggest hindrance when it comes to how long should you be engaged - I'll explain why later.

Step by Step of being Engaged

1. Decide on your budget. You really can not move forward until you know how much to spend. It seems pretty obvious, but it really could make a differnce in when and where you want to get married.
2. What time of year do you want your wedding? Again, your budget can really determine alot about your wedding. Ever since I was young, I had my heart set on being married in May. ( Not really sure why, I guess I just liked the weather?) My finace asked me to marry him in July, so if i decied on May, I would have 10 months to plan! That seems like the perfect amount of time...except that most vendors book up a year out, and I won't have a whole lot of time to save up money. (Plus, saving for a wedding, paying for school, buying a car, gas, and other bills really add up quickly!) I had to be realistic, I need at least 1 year. But, I will not get married in July! It is way too hot out. So, Finally, we settled on Setember 30th. It is quite far from the date I thought I'd have, but i'm loving it more and more!
3. Pick your Bridal Party. You want to ask the people to be in your wedding as soon as you can. But please, make sure you and your fiance are on the same page with how many and who you want in your wedding! Discuss your parties together before making and anouncments or final selections. 
4. Start making a guest list. Seriously. Do it yesterday. The sooner you can narrow down who you want there, and who you could live without being there, can help you decided on what kind of minimum amount you have to spend. Plus, it takes a while to collect address, write out the invites, and start making table arrangments.
5. Book your Venue! This can be a pretty hard task. You can find out more about how I went about picking my venue on my other blog.
6. Book as many Vendors as possible as soon as possible! If you wait too long to book your major vendors (Venue, Cateror, Photographer, Rentals, DJ, Cake, etc.) you risk losing your top option! So, as soon as you can afford it, book your vendors!
7. Buy your dress! I suggest getting your dress about 1 year in advanced. This gives you time for ordering, (Mine takes 9 months just to get in!) alterations, fittings, and insures your dress is perfect for your day. 
8. Start Buying Decor. The sooner you start buying decor, the more you will end up having. Check consignment shops, thirft shops, sales, and my personal favorite, FACEBOOK. Almost every state has a facebook group where previous brides post their old wedding items for sale 90% of the stuff you get on there is brand new or only used once! I have already saved TONS on awesome decorative pieces.
9. Lastly, Relax. Have fun while planning. Yes, it is stressful. But it is also so much fun. Plus, in the end, you are marrying the person you will spend your life with! Be happy & Enjoy your engagment!