Take a deep breath, you just got engaged! Now where do you start?

Congratulations!!!! If it is anything like when I got engaged, you probably tried to ruin your fiancés plans and I don’t know go to a baseball game with your friends instead of the romantic dinner he had planned.  But alas, he prevailed and you are now engaged to be married.  Now where to begin??? It is important to know around when and where you want to get married.  I got engaged August 26, 2011 and dreamed of getting married on March 17, 2012.  I know I am crazy right?? Well close your jaw that’s not happening.  Even though I had a dream of a specific church and reception site, I quickly realized that the dates were not going to work out. So had I had to choose.  I hate to be the one to break it to you ladies but not everything you want will come true for your dream wedding.  You might have to make some compromises. (Might being the key word, if you get everything you absolutely want, I am truly happy for you) It was more important for me to get married at Loyola College Chapel than to have my reception at Ravens Stadium so we picked a date based on when was good for my teaching schedule and when the church was available.  August 4, 2012 was now W-Day and I should have realized that I would repeat that date more than a million times over the next 11 months.  Once you determine what day you are gonna tie the knot, it actually becomes easier! So there is my recommendation #1.  Pick a date ASAP and don’t change it.  If your 3rd cousin can’t come that day oh well.  This is YOUR day and you need to remember that.  (Trust me, my sister has had to remind 50 times and I still forget) Picking a date before anything else actually helps a lot with decision making. When looking for a reception venue, if one is booked, you move on to the next one. It took me all of 3 days to realize how big the wedding industry is and despite the current economic state, it is still booming! Pick your date and it will help you narrow things down slightly.