'twas the season: to get engaged

The holidays are a very popular time for those love sick boys to make their intentions known to their loved ones.  They're gitty with excitement and ready to finally give away that ring that's been burning a hole in their pockets, to get down on one knee, and ask for their loved ones' hand in marriage.  As a result, there are many ladies out there in the beginning stages of planning their wedding - one of the biggest days of their lives!

The key to a gorgeous wedding is a definitive style and color scheme.  Carrying it through all of your wedding day details is most definitely overwhelming, so I will share a list of some high-level things to think through and help you get started on the right foot!

1.) When do you want your wedding to take place?
Do you like the orange and yellow of the changing trees in the fall, or do you prefer the spring time when all of the flowers are in bloom?  Once you decide the season, settle on a month.

2.) Where do you want to have your wedding/reception?
Here are some thoughts:
- A church
- A barn
- A country club
- The beach
- The mountain
- Your home


3.) How formal will your wedding be?
- Formal/black tie (evening)
- Semi formal (late afternoon or evening)
- Casual/laid back (anytime)


4.) What colors do you want to use? 
This is the perfect time to go crazy with your favorite color(s).  You want your wedding to reflect who you are.  You can carry your colors all the way through your invitations, to the bridesmaids dresses, to the center pieces, to the flowers and create a great unified look.  If you're not sure on a color, try going to the paint store for some inspiration.  My personal favorite right now: Yellow and gray, simple and classy.

5.) What's your style?
There are so many different styles out there, and again, this is another area where you have the awesome opportunity to reflect your style - make it your own!  Do you like country chic?  Straight and modern?  Frilly and glamorous?  Seaside and beachy? 


6.) What's your budget?
This one's a tough one, but I highly recommend you put a number here before you make any purchases for your wedding.  If you don't have a budget, the spending can get quickly out of hand and before you know it you're in way over your head.  Also consider who will be contributing and have those conversations upfront so there are no miscommunications.  


7.) What are your priorities?
Try deciding together what your top three most important elements for the wedding are.  This will help you prioritize where to spend your money and how to divvy up responsibilities.  If you want to serve a three-course meal to all of your guests, you may need to opt for less expensive invitations.  If the groom is all about the music, let him spend time scoping out the DJ.  


8.) How involved will the groom be?
Having this conversation up front just might be an argument saver.  Enough said. 


9.) Who has the final say? 
When you have multiple parties contributing money for the wedding, lots of hands in the pot can make things tricky.  Some may have a different opinion on this, but no matter who is paying for the wedding, at the end of the day, the decisions should be yours.  It might be wise to subtly make this known early on.


10.) Will you hire a wedding planner?
YES YES YES.  Just kidding.  A few things to consider while making this decision:
- Do you have enough time of your own to organize everything?
- Do you like to plan events?
- Do you feel like you have a good handle on all of the pieces that need to be coordinated?
- Do you have some money in your pot to pay for a planner?

Well, I hope this helps you narrow your focus to get your well on your way to planning your special and perfect day!

Cheers