✨SHOUT OUT TO ALL MY LADIES AND FELLAS THAT GOT ENGAGED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!! YASSSS!!!!✨

Hello, I’m Joanna. I am a wedding photographer based in Florida and for the past 7 years I’ve had the privilege of photographing 100+ amazing weddings. As a lover of love, I am super stoked for you and can’t wait to start helping you plan your big day. Join me as I give you all the insight scoop into the wedding world. Let’s dive into the top 10 things to do once you’re engaged.

 

1. ENJOY THE MOMENT!

I CAN’T STRESS THIS ENOUGH!!! Don’t let anyone or anything make you feel like you need to rush into planning your wedding. This is your time to soak up those recently engaged feels, love on your significant other, and take hella cute ring photos. Start wedding planning when YOU feel ready, not when others tell you to.

 

 

2. ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BOO-THANG

Whether your significant other wants to be part of the wedding planning process or not, there are a couple conversations you need to have before you start planning. Topics such as budget, wedding size, and location are usually the big ones. Before you start thinking about aesthetics, sit down with your boo and come to a mutual agreement on where you’d like to be in regards to money, people, and place. Trust me, THIS IS VITAL.

3. SET A REALISTIC BUDGET

Did you know that the average wedding in Florida cost around $20,000 – $30,000?

Unless you work in the wedding industry, chances are you didn’t know. Sit down with those contributing to helping pay for the wedding, decide aspects of your wedding that are non-negotiables (ex: photographer, DJ, or venue), set up a budget, and work from there. Having a clear understanding of the budget will keep everyone on the same page and can help from overspending on items that are not as important to you.

 

4. HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER!!!

Wedding planners are ESSENTIAL if you want a successful stress-free wedding. This is going to be one of the best investments in your entire day – I guarantee it! Not only will they make sure you’re staying in budget, but they’ll make sure that everything is running on time, they handle any issues, and keep everyone in order. DO NOT SLEEP ON GETTING A WEDDING PLANNER PLEASE!!!! 10/10 recommend. Also, venue coordinators are NOT wedding planners. Venue coordinators only help with anything in regards to their venue. So unless you’re planning your whole wedding (getting ready, ceremony, cocktail, and reception) at the same venue, I would skip on having a venue coordinator and get a wedding planner instead. Thank me later.

5. DECIDE WHICH VENDORS ARE MOST IMPORTANT & PUT DOWN THOSE DEPOSITS

Now that you’re in the groove of planning, let’s make sure you have those non-negotiable vendors secured. I’m not usually one to rush but if you have a certain vendor in mind, once you have a date and venue booked, you need to reach out to them ASAP! I say this because many vendors are still being affected by all the reschedules that happened in 2020 & 2021 and our dates are booking FAST! So, get to it!

6. COME UP WITH AN AESTHETIC

Yes, it’s time to start pinning! Go ahead and make a Pinterest account and start pinning what inspires you. I love to categorize my galleries in specific folders, so it doesn’t get overwhelming. Once you have a clear vision of what you want, get together with your wedding planner to start making your ideas come to life. Pinterest can also help you decide what type of photography style you like (dark and moody, bright and airy, true to life, editorial, photojournalistic, etc.) Have fun pinning away!

7. SELECT A BRIDAL PARTY (OR NOT)

Let’s keep it 100%- not all your friends deserve to be part of the bridal party. I know, this might sting a little but it’s SO TRUE. When selecting a bridal party try to envision your wedding day. Are these people helping you or adding stress? Do they take initiative, or do you constantly have to be micromanaging? Can they make the investment (hair, makeup, dresses, bachelorette/bachelor events etc.) or would they make a better guest? Really think about it before you get caught up with a bridal party that doesn’t take care of you. THIS IS YOUR DAY!

8. MAKE A *POTENTIAL* GUEST LIST

Now that you have a wedding planner, a date, venue, and have booked your favorite vendors it’s time to make a potential wedding guest list. I highly encourage to do this after you’ve booked your venue so you know exactly how many guests you can invite. In case you didn’t know, you’re investing $100+ per guest you invite. So as Marie Condo says, “if they don’t bring you joy”, don’t invite them. HAHA Sorry Mom & Dad.

9. SCHEDULE YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Yayyy!!! This is my favorite part because obviously I love meeting my couples. Engagement sessions are a great way to break the ice between yourself and your photographer, get comfortable with each other, and take beautiful pictures that you can use for your wedding website, engagement party, or save the dates.

10. SEND YOUR SAVE THE DATES

6-8 months before your wedding you should be sending your save the dates and 8 weeks before the wedding you should be sending out the formal invitation. If you are having a destination wedding, please schedule more time for people to prep and budget.

• BONUS TIP – Get your ring insured. God forbid anything happens to your ring but in the case that something does, you’re covered. If you loved reading this blog, stay tuned for more wedding tips this month! Lots of love & happy planning.
  xoxo, Joanna

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