Hey, beautiful readers! The Calm Blog is designed to be both fun and informative, so this week I'm introducing another mini series, Hot Wedding Topics.
Starting off with the elephant in the room: You got engaged, and now you have to plan a wedding. You MUST first establish how long you want to be engaged, AKA how long you have to actually plan. This may be affected by
Having a dream venue that books out far in advance
Being set on a particular date
What the weather will be like in your intended location … just to name a few.
Let me preface, as always, by saying there is absolutely no right or wrong way to do this. My style as a planner is not to tell you what to do, rather to provide you with the necessary tools and information to make a decision on what you truly want, and help you execute it. So let's dive in.
Finances are the first contributing factor. “How much money will this cost?” and “How long will it take us to save that amount?”. This is completely dependent on your financial situation, but here, a longer engagement allows you the luxury of saving over time, as well as spreading out vendor payments over monthly installments rather than larger sums all at once.
The second factor emerged in the years following the pandemic. Securing top-choice vendors often requires booking well in advance, especially in today's competitive market. I distinctly remember talking to my photographer on our initial consultation call, about 16 months out from my wedding, so late 2021, and ensuring he was available. Thankfully he was, BUT he also shared he had a 2024 wedding on the books, already fully paid.The sooner you start planning, the better your chances of snagging your preferred vendors.
Don't forget about your wedding attire! Ordering a custom gown or suit takes time, so factor in the lead time for alterations and delivery. Make sure you do your research and give yourself plenty of time to get it perfect!
(My couples can take advantage of a discount at Zane Fashion custom suits).
Lastly, give yourself the gift of time to enjoy the engagement phase without feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning. This is often overlooked, but consider your work commitments, DIY aspirations, and any other life events on the horizon.
The excitement of your future wedding day is captivating, and the process can be rather complex. Seek help from experts. budgeting for a planner can go a LONG way when you are unsure how to approach a planning timeline. My advice is simply to not take on too much in too little time.
According to a study conducted by The Knot, in 2022, the average engagement length was 15 weeks (nationally). This number is projected to remain stable, if not slightly decrease in the 2023 stats and continuing in 2024, at about 12-13 months.
As this continues ebb and flow and the industry evolves, keep these factors in mind to make a realistic and effective planning timeline based on your lifes’ factors. All of your dreams can be accomplished in the timeframe you have. Exceptional vendors are everywhere and someone is always available.
No matter where you are in your planning journey, I hope this gave you some helpful things to consider! Newly engaged couples, reach out via contact form or instagram. Upon signing you’ll receive a curated planning timeline that guides you through making these decisions and gives you the freedom to romanticize your engagement.
More to come on instagram very soon.
Stay Calm, Brides. You got this ;)
Xoxo
Alyssa
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