You said YES!

Hooray! He popped the BIG question and you said YES! That's simply amazing news and we are incredibly happy for you both!

Sign via The Wedding Chicks

While it's easy (and so much fun) to get instantly absorbed in bridal magazines, Pinterest wedding boards, and becoming "Facebook official," FIRST - I would love to pass along the following short to-do list for the newly engaged from Planning Forever Events. I simply love Saundra's blog and couldn't have said it better myself!

1.  Discuss your wedding budget. Where will the money come from? Are both sets of parents helping? Please don’t book vendors until you know this magic number.

2.  Start a rough guest list. There will be four lists: bride, groom, bride’s family and groom’s family. This will give you a general idea of the number of potential guests you may need to accommodate before you start shopping for a ceremony and reception venue.

3.  Set a date, but keep it flexible if possible. If you don’t have your heart set on a particular date then you will be open to more possibilities for securing a location.

4.  Talk to each other and openly discuss your wedding. What’s the style you want to have? What do you want your guests to experience? What are the top three things that are important to each of you? Both of you speak up and be honest with each other. You both want to feel comfortable with the choices that you will be making as you move forward.

5.  Make an appointment with a wedding planner. I know this sounds self-indulgent … but really, this is the best time if you are going to hire a wedding planner. Starting from the beginning and using the experience and knowledge that a planner brings to the table will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Your engagement really can, and should be, a fun, romantic, and truly wonderful time before you begin your new life together. By taking a minute to get all your ducks in a row - and these five steps will help you do so - you'll have the perfect starting off point for all the planning to come.

And we're here to help! Check us out at www.masterpieceweddings.net  or give us a call at 352-317-3222.