where do I start?

I just got engaged Now what?

Congrats!

It is best to start with the ceremony location and reception hall so you can settle a date.

Enjoy it, then sit down and get a budget together, figure out how many people you would like to have, then get your priorities on a list. Figure out what is most important to you....a designer dress, outrageous flowers, a high end ballroom.

This should keep you busy for a while!!! Good Luck!!

I don't even really have a date yet, I was thinking maybe 2007 but we might need the extra time for saving and such, how did you even decide when, I went to a catering hall thinking that would help me decide but it seems I have to have answers before I start there I went in and left more confused so I figured this was my next step I had seen this site when I was looking at a few catering hall sites and stuff even before I was engaged.

Well, have you always seen yourself having a spring, summer, winter or fall wedding? That will give you a ball park time frame. Just be aware, spring and summer, and sept and oct of fall are going to be the most expensive.

if you know a budget, you'll be able to find catering halls, and see what will fit your budget in certain time frames. Then, you when you pick halls that you like, they might have certain dates already booked, so that is going to narrow it down for you, without you even having to do the work.

Just be flexible with your dates, is the best advice.

---

Posted by soon2bcopswife

Enjoy it, then sit down and get a budget together, figure out how many people you would like to have, then get your priorities on a list. Figure out what is most important to you....a designer dress, outrageous flowers, a high end ballroom.

This should keep you busy for a while!!! Good Luck!!

---

I totally agree with this.

Decide on a budget first. That will help later on.

Then decide on how many people since that will also help you determine your RH.

Then....you can go with the other vendors, dress, etc.

There is a guide in the 'community' section. Look for the catering hall guide.

Of course, we are here to help you out as much as we can!

Congratulations!

---

Posted by Mary08

I guess I had always thought of like september or even October, not to hot but not cold either, I love the fall colors but I am afraid of a cold rainy november day

---

With weather in NY, you could have a cold rainy day any day...so you can't be worried about weather off the bat. We had rainy cold days in April, but days in March that were 70's...so, no matter what, you run the chance of rain.

I know, it stinks...lol

---

Posted by Mary08

I guess I had always thought of like september or even October, not to hot but not cold either, I love the fall colors but I am afraid of a cold rainy november day

---

Congrats on your engagement! I got married in November, and we had the most perfect fall day for a wedding! Fall Weddings ROCK!!!! (no offense to Winter, Spring or Summer brides!)

CONGRATS

If you both like sept and october, then at least you have a time frame you can give the halls.

Figure out a ball park on what you want to spend for a budget (trust me it will change in the wrong direction very quickly).

Then narrow down halls by looking at a rough guest list to see how many people you want to invite....this will give you an idea of reception halls, how many will fit etc.

The ceremony and hall have to coincide, obviously, so you have to make sure that you speak to your reception hall and ceremony location to make sure they are available the same day.

It does seem overwhelming...but this is one of the worst parts in the beginning. You'll do fine!

---

Posted by diamondgrlie

Congrats!

It is best to start with the ceremony location and reception hall so you can settle a date.

---

YES!!! and if your ceremony will be at a church, do that first..

congrats

---

Posted by Mary08

We both come from big families, I know my fiance and I will be paying for most of the wedding, I am sure we will get some help, but we want to try and do it on our own , thats why we might wait til 2008, my sisters wedding she kind of rushed into and the place nice, but I know it wasn't exactly what she wanted, but the price was right, and she was the one who told me to find something you love then plan how to get it

---

she is right...you need to find something you love then plan how to get it...(but just have in the back of your mind a rough guestimate).

Only you will know how you can manage the finances of it...find a budgeter, I think there is one on here, (but also one on theknot. com) that will help you get a good feel for how much things cost.

Congratulations! Start thinking about a budget. Decide if you want a wedding at a religious house of worship or the ceremony at the hall. Get the sites and services book and start writing down halls that fit your price range.'
First off though - take some time to enjoy being newly engaged!! Its a feeling you'll never have again

Congrats and welcome to the wonderful world of wedding planning!! You are already on the right path for choosing to jump aboard the best advice and sounding board called LIW!! We're all here to help!!!