Announcing your engagement
Informing your parents should be done first, in person if possible. Follow up later with calls to friends and family members.

Engagement announcements generally can be sent to your local newspapers. Guidelines for submitting information can usually be found in the engagement and wedding section of their weekend editions. If not, don’t hesitate to call and find out what the guidelines are.

Engagement announcements are published one to two months ahead of your wedding and should include a photo of the couple (wedding announcements are typically submitted one to two months afterwards and should also include a photo).

Envisioning the big day
Before getting started, sit down with your fiancé and discuss what you both have in mind for your wedding.

Deciding on a style will make the rest of your planning easier. Do you want a formal event in a country club, or a casual affair in your parent’s backyard? The possibilities are endless, but much of your planning will depend on the chosen location.

Set a preliminary budget and decide the size of wedding you would both prefer. The number of guests will affect the cost and location of your wedding.

Save the date
Decide when you want to get married and start looking for locations. You should try and reserve your location at least one year in advance.

Keep in mind, the busiest wedding months run from May to September. Booking your location is the one of the first things you should do if you’re planning a wedding during these months.

Saturday is the most popular day of the week, however, if you’ve had a place in mind and they are booked, consider having a wedding on Friday or Sunday. These days might be less expensive since they are more likely to be available.