If you’re newly engaged, congrats! (Did you send me your engagement ring selfie yet?!) I know you’re super excited to start planning your wedding, but I suggest you step on the brakes before you make these three mistakes—if you haven’t made them already.
Tadashi Shoji Lilian Dress from BHLDN, $420.
MISTAKE NO. 1: Declaring a wedding date.
Your first date was on October 8, and he proposed on October 8, so an October 8 wedding only makes sense. “Save the date!” you’ve announced—before nailing down vendors and checking your family members’ schedules. If you can’t find a country club (or a caterer) or your brother has a work conference in Des Moines that weekend, you’re going to have to do a lot of explaining if your aunt already booked her flight. Hold off on announcing a date until it’s set in stone.
MISTAKE NO. 2: Falling in love with a dress that’s way out of your budget.
Don’t book an appointment at Vera Wang (or any of the high-end designers) until you know how much you can spend on your wedding dress. Because once you step into a $12,000 gown, you’re never going to be as happy with a $1,200 frock. When you’re flipping through bridal magazines (or blogs!), note the elements you love about different dresses—an illusion neckline or a beaded sleeve—then look for those elements on dresses that are in your price range.
MISTAKE NO. 3: Inviting every Tom, Dick, and hairdresser you know.
You’ve been going to your colorist since the dawn of time, and you like your college roommate’s little sister more than half of your cousins. If budget and space are no object, of course you can invite them all, but until you know for certain how many guests you’ll be able to accommodate, don’t blab about your big day to everyone you know. In short: Avoid sentences like, “You’re going to DIE when I walk down the aisle.” until you know for sure who’ll be there.
Which wedding-planning mistakes have you already made?
I was SO BAD about No. 3!