Before you update your Facebook status to ‘engaged’ and tweet to the world, remember to get straight on the phone to your mum and dad. Telling them first will mean everything – and the rest of the family will appreciate a phone call, too! *Must resist posting a ring selfie, must resist posting a ring selfie…*
Have your ring sized and insured Although that sparkler on your finger is irreplaceable, if anything really did happen, you’ll kick yourself for not getting it properly insured. If you already have home or contents insurance, a quick phone call will allow them to add your ring to the policy – if not, there are plenty of independent companies that will insure your new rock for a good price.
If your ring also needs resizing, it’s best to do it now – otherwise you’ll panic about it slipping off your finger for weeks! Most highstreet jewellers can get it done for you within a short time period, so you won’t have to part with it for too long…
Celebrate just the two of you
Amidst the flurry of phonecalls and congratulations cards, your engagement can start to feel a bit like public property. Set an evening aside to go for a low-key dinner to get away from the hustle and bustle of wedding planning, and enjoy time just being a couple. Try to keep the conversation away from your upcoming nuptials too – sometimes it’s nice to take some time out from it all!
Choose a wedding date
Do you see yourself as a summer bride or are you dreaming of a winter celebration with all the trimmings? The season will not only dictate the style of wedding you have, it will also have an effect on what is available. Summer is still the most popular time to get married and some venues are likely to be booked up several years in advance. If you do have a particular place in mind, you might have to be flexible and consider marrying at a different time of year.
Work out your wedding budget
It’s very easy to get carried away when planning your dream wedding, and before you know it you’ve spent a small fortune. Before you commit yourself to anything, sit down with your fiancé and work out what you can afford to spend, what your priorities are and where you could cut costs if necessary. If either set of parents is contributing, it makes sense to involve them in the discussions too.
Compile a guest list
You don’t need to have the names finalised but it does make sense to work out exactly how many friends and family you want to invite. The size of your guest list has a huge impact on where you can marry. If you’ve set your heart on tying the knot in the local village church near your parents’ home but it only holds 50, you’re going to have a re-think if a rough totting-up of guests is running at 150.
Think about a venue
We’re sure we don’t need to tell you that wedding venues can get booked up years in advance. But don’t panic! Head to Hitched.co.uk’s wedding venues section to explore our dazzling selection of amazing places to tie the knot at… it would be rude not to!
Start looking at wedding dresses
Obviously you don’t need to make a final decision on what you’re going to wear right now, but it could take you a long time to find the wedding dress of your dreams – so it makes sense to start your research early. Look through magazines and mark any dresses that catch your eye, then begin to narrow down your choices. Pinterest is another great source of inspiration.
Once you’ve got a better idea of what you want, why not visit your nearest Outlet and start shopping? Think about how you would describe your ideal wedding dress – one of the first things the bridal consultant will ask is “what do you have in mind?” Have an idea of the most common shapes – princess, fishtail, column, mermaid and A-line – so you can better explain your vision. Allow yourself plenty of time to find the right one; you don’t want to be rushed into making the wrong decision.
At all our Outlets, we stock 100’s of high quality wedding, bridesmaid and prom gowns all with upto 75% off the RRP. From sizes 6-32 in all the latest designs, we are confident your dream dress is waiting for you. Take the stress out of your planning and simply call in at any time to suit you. Open 7 days a week, no appointment necessary.
The Wedding & Prom Dress Bridal Factory Outlets x
