Wedding Newbie needs some advice!

Hi Everyone,
I posted a while ago announcing my engagement! (2-6-04). I have been on and off the board for a little while now but haven't had much to say because we aren't planning yet! FH and I have been house hunting for quite some time now, with no luck We both agreed that we would continue with the house hunting before planning a wedding so that we would know what our budget would be like. However, I'm getting very impatient - especially when I come on here and read about all of your exciting plans! FH knows that I'm growing very impatient, but he is under a lot of stress looking for a house so I'm trying to be as understanding as possible. We don't want to be involved in making two major decisions at the same time. However, I am so sick and tired of people asking me if we've 'set a date'. Is there anything I can do in the 'meantime' even though we haven't officially started the whole 'planning process'? I'd appreciate any input!!

You can start thinking about how big a wedding you want. Only close family and friends, or big with cousins and distant relatives. You can think about what kind of dress you would like. You can figure out what time of day you want to have your wedding. Whether you want a church ceremony, or an on site ceremony where you will have your reception. You can figure out whether you want a both a photogropher, and a videoogropher or just one. You can think about what kind of musical entertainment you want, band or dj.
There is plenty to think about before you even go to see any vendors. Keep in mind that many people will try to sell you as much as possible. When planning we knew exctly what we wanted and didn't want from photogropher/videogropher, invitations, dj, florist. So when the final desisions had to be made no matter how much pressure vendors put on us we already knew excalty what we wanted. good luck with house hunting.

I'd say just start getting ideas together...buy some bride magazines ...your engaged so it will make it more real...look at the pictures and start a journal or a planner of some sort that you can add ideas to...I have tons of flower ideas..songs I like..dresses etc...that will make the planning process fun and less stressful when it comes down to making decisions when the time does come...maybe buy something you like that will work no matter when or where you have your wedding, like a cake topper or something, to make you 'wedding excited'....enjoy your house and do small wedding things.....

Thanks Cuddlez and dm24angel... I appreciate the advice!!

Just start to think about themes, color schemes, time of year, who you want in the wedding, styles of gowns, and start a journal or planner. Have fun with it, and don't let people pressure/upset you.

Start your research! Look at ideas & pricing - SET A BUDGET for later on - and just gather ideas


Take a notebook and make different sections-
Wedding Dress, bridesmaid dresses, flowers, cakes
Cut out pictures and next to it write what you like/don't like about the picture
Example: A picture of a floral centerpiece -write down your likes/dislikes, likes: flowers, vase; dislikes: shape, grennery
etc, etc, etc

You'll have an easier time when you actually do go looking for things in the future!

I'm starting to feel better already! I guess I can do all of these things without letting FH know I'm doing my 'own planning'!! Thanks so much to everyone who is posting replies....I really appreciate it.

You know my opinion, but here it is again. Plan all the things you like with many options. When he is ready, you can just let him okay things or make suggestions. It will make things easier on him because you are not starting from stratch. Have fun and dont stress
bbb

I can relate. We just bought a house and it is a major stressor. We have just gutted it too. FH is wrapped up in the house and I want to plan but financially it tough. My suggestion is too get a planner and start with pics of dresses, cakes, flowers etc. You'll actually be surprised as the time grows near you'll find you mind has probably changed on a lot.

One day at a time, you always have us to vent to!

I can totally relate! FH and I got engaged the end of july, set the wedding date in August and started looking for houses in October.
I will say this, it was alot to do in timeframe we gave ourselves! If I had to do it over, I am not sure I would have done the same thing! I added add'l unnecessary stress.

That said, I would start planning what you want size, start researching places, talk about do you want a church ceremony or a ceremony at the hall, etc. Then if in a month or two you dont find a house, maybe put that aside for a month and start looking at halls. We found that every so often in our 6 month house search we needed a break, so for a weekend here or there, we wouldnt go to any open houses or even talk about houses, we would do a few wedding related things and just relax. I think it was a stress reliever every so often.

A wedding is alot of research so start there! Make lists of halls, florists, photographers, etc that you want to see, gather phone numbers etc. That will make planning alittle smoother.
And when people ask if you set a date, tell them we are just so excited we want to enjoy our engagment, afterall you never get to repeat this time again!

Good luck!

Where are you looking for a house? I feel your pain its soo frustrating , we only went to contract this past week!!!