The Essential Checklist Every Newly Engaged Couple Needs
By Caitlin Hoare
This comprehensive guide to wedding planning helps newly engaged couples navigate the journey from engagement to the big day. It starts with celebrating the engagement and securing essentials like ring insurance, then moves on to practical steps, including budgeting, setting a date, and creating a guest list. The guide emphasises forming a wedding "dream team" of vendors and planning logistics such as venue, transport, and attire. Couples are encouraged to finalise details with save-the-dates, gift registries, rehearsals, and timelines to ensure a seamless celebration. The process is designed to be enjoyable, organised, and memorable for couples embarking on their wedding journey.
Congratulations! You've got engaged! You're probably now thinking, what or where do I start with wedding planning? Well, first up, please don't feel too overwhelmed; we're here to help! From engagement fun to initial first steps, keep reading for your very own wedding checklist to work through so you don't forget anything along the way.
Planning a wedding is a super exciting and memorable experience, so make the most of this time with your partner and enjoy every step of the way! Let’s get started…
Celebrate your engagement!
When you and your partner have finished revelling in just-engaged joy, it's time to share the news with loved ones and friends. Call your parents, friends, and family members, and if you're so inclined, get that photo on social media for the whole world to know!
Why not host an engagement party to celebrate with family and friends? This is the perfect time to get everyone together and mark the special occasion. For some, celebrating the engagement may be something you want to do just for the two of you. However you decide to do it, there is never a better occasion to celebrate than this, and an engagement party is the perfect opportunity!
Some couples may also want to arrange an engagement shoot, which is a great way to practice before the big day, get to know your photographer (once you book one!), and have some fun together. Having professional engagement photos to use for your wedding website is also really handy and a great way to personalise and bring your website to life.
The engagement ring
Whether you got engaged with a sparkling ring on your finger or are excitedly going to choose one, ensure you get your ring insured to protect the big purchase. It may be one of the most expensive investments your partner makes, so it's essential to get it insured in case the worst happens. You insure your house and car, so why not insure your precious engagement ring? It's also super important to get your ring sized correctly. Depending on the retailer, they will more than likely do this for free during a limited period of time after purchase. Basically, don't risk wearing it if it's too big or too small; you might end up taking it on and off again and forgetting where you put it.
Check out Say I do
With a whole host of wedding blogs (just like this one) to check out and a personalised checklist to work from, Say I do is a great place to start when embarking on your wedding planning journey. Benefit from the handy resources and free features, such as playing around with creating a gorgeous wedding website with RSVP, awesome-looking digital wedding invitations, guest lists, and an RSVP manager. You can also unlock additional features for a small fee, but why not have a trial of the platform to start with?
Wedding planning fundamentals
Now, the wedding planning rollercoaster is to begin! Some of these might not seem very fun, but they are essential to building the foundations of a successful wedding.
Determine your wedding budget and prioritise your spending: Establish your wedding budget early on so you know how much you have to play with and how much saving you'll need to do in the run-up to the big day.
Set a wedding date and create a timeline for your planning process: Once you have a wedding date set, work backwards so you know how long you have to plan and break down your tasks accordingly.
Create a guest list and decide on the number of guests to invite: It's never an easy task, but it's essential to work out your guest list early on so you know how many people you're feeding and how many invites you'll need to send out.
Research and hire a wedding planner for guidance and support: If you're going to have the luxury of a wedding planner, get them booked early so they can help you with the plans right from the start. They are a fountain of knowledge when it comes to suppliers and will be able to recommend trusted vendors within the industry who excel at what they do!
Building your dream wedding team
Yay, a really fun part! Selecting your wedding party is one of the most exciting aspects of becoming engaged. Your wedding crew, aside from your significant other, consists of the individuals who will support you all the way to the aisle—from the minute you ask them to be a bridesmaid, maid of honour, best man, or usher.
Regarding the other ‘wedding team’, research and meet with desired vendors (caterers, photographers, etc.) to find the best fit for your celebration. As mentioned above, if you're hiring a wedding planner, they will be able to give you lots of advice on recommended suppliers they know of or have worked with who are trusted and respected in the industry. Consider whether they are available on your wedding date, whether they are within budget, and whether you have done thorough enough research. Also, don’t forget to check out their portfolios and reviews before signing on the dotted line.
Venue and logistics
Research and visit potential wedding venues to find the perfect fit: Ensure the venues you are researching have the suitable capacity for your numbers. Are they within budget, and do they have availability on your chosen wedding day? When viewing, use your heart and your head and consider whether you can actually visualise your dream day there.
Select a caterer and plan the wedding menu to delight your guests: If your venue welcomes external caterers, choose one that aligns with what you want. Will they be able to cater to all dietary requirements? If it's important to you, do they use local, seasonal produce? Are they flexible with what you want to feed your guests, and will you be able to have a menu tasting before the big day so you're happy with the menu?
Arrange wedding transport and accommodations for out-of-town guests: After you've done your research, your wedding website really comes into action. You can communicate your transport plans to everyone and offer accommodation options so guests can pick what suits them at the click of a link.
Wedding attire and accessories
Start shopping for your wedding outfits and accessories, such as wedding shoes, veils, and jewellery. Whether you're going vintage, handmade, or hiring, it's never too soon to start shopping. Make a day of it and take your wedding party members with you to gain their opinions. Don't forget to source your wedding bands, too!
Select the bridesmaids’ dresses and bridal party accessories to complete the look and the groomsmen's outfits to ensure everyone's happy with what they are wearing ahead of the day. Everyone at your wedding party is important, and getting them a gift for the occasion is a lovely gesture. Wedding party gifts are thoughtful and personalised, so let them know how much they mean to you!
Buy wedding insurance to protect your investment and ensure a stress-free wedding day. The sooner, the better, but ideally, you should purchase wedding insurance when putting down deposits for your venue and other suppliers. This ensures that your investments are protected right from the start.