Chapter 1: I'm Engaged, so Now What?

Welcome to my new blog series! I was engaged over Christmas and decided I would bring you along my journey! As a wedding planner, I get asked a lot if I have "planned" my wedding and, honestly, I haven't. I've known a few things that felt right for me but I would always answer that it depends on who I marry because it wasn't just a day about me. Being asked this question now, as a fiancé & a wedding planner, the options are endless. So where do you start?

Grabbed a fresh cup of coffee & let's get into it! George and I sat down and went through what we wanted. Also, made it easy, used note app in my phone to write down important thoughts. We will keep these in mind as planning goes along to help keep us on track of what we want.

• Keep ceremony small and having Winnie included

• My wedding dress is important to me (eeeee! I can't wait) - semi-formal/formal

• Interested in a modern, classic vibe vs a rustic, casual vibe

• Supporting local and sustainability options throughout all aspects of planning

• We both love the colours blue and orange so thinking about brighter colour palette

• Sit down, vegan dinner option with dancing if possible but not a must have

• Off season for early 2028

• First draft guest list for 30

We hit a snag right off the top. He wants a destination wedding and I wanted one close to Ottawa so guests who couldn't travel could celebrate with us. How did we resolve this? We talked it out. He is overwhelmed by all the planning, all the details and flashiness of a wedding; which I totally understood because I'm a behind-the-scenes person. We compromised and decided on a local ceremony and reception for a small group because most of my family lives out of town then invite our near & dears to join us for a group vacation. We talked out colours and style and what each of us envisioned for the day.

Here's some things to keep to get the

First steps to get the planning started:

1. Chat it out Together

Open & honest communication is important so you are both on the same page as to what you want. Discuss your expectations, must-haves, design/vibe & any worries you may have about your wedding.

2. Plan Together & Be Flexible

Involve both partners in the wedding planning process, it is way more fun for the both of you & ensures you plan a day that feels right! Things may not always go as planned. Stay flexible & adapt to changes as they arise during the planning process.

3. Set a Budget

This is a super important step, decide on a wedding budget. Big or small, this will help guide your decisions to what is important to the both & avoid any stresses later.

4. Decide on a Guest List

Take a look at who must be there to celebrate with you as this will be the biggest impact on your budget. This is the best place to control the budget & vibe for the day.

5. Seek Support

One comment it get from previous Couples is they never regret planning or coordination support for their wedding. This is the time to start looking for support & seeing what works for you budget & your available planning time. If hired support isn't in your budget, don't hesitate to ask family and friends for help. They can offer support, advice, or even assistance with planning tasks.

Wedding planning can be stressful, but try to enjoy the journey. Focus on the love you share and the excitement of your future together. Amid the wedding planning, remember to prioritize your relationship. Schedule regular date nights and quality time together.

Being engaged is an exciting time filled with love and anticipation. By focusing on communication and your core ideas, you can focus and look back on the planning journey with calm, excited feelings.

Hope you like Chapter 1 & my next Chapter, is "so What's Next?" will be coming soon so follow along my planning journey & subscribe so you don't miss a new post!

Love,

Bree