WHAT TO DO AFTER GETTING ENGAGED

So you finally gathered up all of your courage and made the big move.  You've even told all of your friends and family.  Now what? 

Here are a few things you'll need to do right away.  Remember, planning a wedding takes a long time and a lot of effort.  The faster you perform these basic tasks, the easier it will be.

• Visit buffalobride.com!!  We have all the information you'll need to plan your special day.  Make sure to download our wedding to-do list and target budget to help you get started.

• Pick a wedding date:  This is easier said than done.  You may WANT to get married on a particular date.  But 1,000 other couples in Western New York may have that date in mind also.  You really need to pick a number of acceptable dates and then start narrowing it down.

• Set a wedding budget:  This is a complicated step, but before you book anything, you'll need to know how much you can afford.  It is advisable to sit down with parents, grandparents, or anyone else who has offered to share the financial burden, and draw up a rough budget.

• Make up a rough guest list:  You'll need to have a general idea of how many people you plan on inviting to your reception.   Depending on your budget, this will help determine where you can afford to have the reception (fire hall vs. fancy banquet facility).

• Book the reception facility:  You may be shocked to find that reception facilities can be booked up to 18 months in advance.   Especially if you plan on getting married during Buffalo's relatively short summer.  

• Book the wedding site:  Call and check the availability of your church, synagogue, or other site as soon as possible.  Keep in mind, you need to book a time slot that won't cause you to be rushed on your wedding day.  If you've booked a 6:00 reception, you probably won't want a 4:00 wedding ceremony.

• Choose your wedding officiate:  Call your Priest, Minister, Rabbi, or Justice of the Peace immediately after you've picked your date and wedding ceremony site.  Make sure the officiate you want will be able to perform the ceremony in the site you have chosen.  Otherwise, you will have to compromise on one or the other.

When calling churches, reception halls, and officiates, it is best to ask them to hold a date if it is available.  Then, you can try to get everything in order before you actually book anything.  Usually, they will offer to put your name on a list and call you if anyone else inquires about the same date, time, room, etc.

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