Once the initial excitement of being engaged wears off you’ll need to make a lot of decisions. Here are the 8 most important things you need to do to really kick off your wedding planning.
1. Set a Timetable
Now that you are engaged, the first thing everyone will want to know is, when is the big day! Several factors come into play in choosing your date. It’s important to think about what season you’d prefer, any major holidays or family events you’d like to avoid conflicting with, and how long you predict you’ll need to plan. One of the first things to do is decide on the venue you want, as its availability will be a factor in determining your date.
2. Pick a Location
Imagine what kind of style and vibe you want to set for your wedding. Close your eyes and picture your fantasy wedding. What do you see? Is it a candlelit ceremony? Are you walking barefoot on a beach in the tropics? Or maybe it’s in a local garden. While you’re picturing your perfect wedding, here are some key questions to consider: Do you invite everyone you know or just close friends and family? Indoors or out?? Hometown or a destination wedding? Modern or classic? Fancy, casual or somewhere in between? Once you have the idea of what the theme is you will be able to start looking for an appropriate venue or location
3. Set Your Budget
It’s important to work out your budget before you start planning.. It’s difficult to create a realistic budget without knowing approximately what things cost in your area. For instance, you don’t want to create a budget and then get stunned when you find out that photography packages might start at $2,000 when you only budgeted $1,000 for that. Do plenty of research, invest your time in meeting with all kinds of experts, getting printed price lists, and really knowing the ballparks of what everything costs. Then sit down and look at your available funds to figure out what kind of wedding you will have.
4. Draft a Guest List
As you begin to build your guest list, there a few factors you will need to consider. For example :
-  how many can the reception site accommodate?
- are the parents insisting on inviting throngs of friends and family? If they are footing a major part of the bill, you will have to comply.
- keep in mind that more guests means higher prices, as catering costs are generally calculated on a per-head basis.
- your budget will have a big influence on the size of your guest list.
5. Register
With all the engagement parties, bridal showers and well-wishing relatives in your future, everyone will appreciate being able to reference your bridal gift registry. And although gifts are optional for engagement parties, some of your guests may want to give you something to commemorate the occasion, so register for at least a few items beforehand so they don’t have to ask or guess at what you’d like.
6. Choose Your Wedding Party
The earlier you choose your bridesmaids and groomsmen, the sooner you can enlist their help. And keep in mind that your wedding party is agreeing to spend their hard-earned money and donate their precious time — be considerate and kind by informing everyone about all your plans, showing them a good time and making sure they know how much you appreciate them.
7. Hire Priority Vendors
If you just can’t imagine getting married without a certain local band playing at the reception or a photographer whose work you love, act fast. Many top wedding photographers and other in-demand vendors are hired more than a year in advance, and once they’re booked, they’re gone. Figure out what your highest wedding priorities are, and snap up the vendors whose work you love.
8. Shop For The Dress!
The staff at Bella Di Sera know that every bride wants to feel as though they have just stepped out of a fairy-tale. We offer gowns that have the look and feel of couture design, but at a price that is affordable. We have been serving Montreal brides for over 25 years and we know how to make you feel like a princess!