Welcome back to the third and final instalment of what to do once you’ve got engaged. Missed the first two posts? Check them out here and here then come back to this one so you don’t miss anything.
Once you’ve got this far, it’s likely your wedding date is fast approaching! There are still a few finishing touches you’ll need to organise to make sure everything is in place for the big day.
Dress
If you haven’t already got your wedding dress then this is one you’ll definitely have fun with. Head to a few bridal boutiques and try on as many different styles as you like. Remember to keep an open mind and take just one or two close friends or family to help you decide. Remember, while their input is valuable, it’s your dress for your day so ultimately go with what you love the most. Got a definite idea of the perfect dress in your mind? Stick to trying on just a few dresses in that style otherwise you risk becoming completely overwhelmed. Once you’ve found THE DRESS, you can decide on whether or not to have a veil, how to style your hair, the shoes, and any other accessories you want to finish off the look.
Bridal Party
Your bridal party will need outfits too, not to mention the Groom. For bridesmaids and the Mother of the Bride and Groom, you may want to specify a colour scheme or a certain style of dress to ensure they all match. Some brides choose the same style dress for each bridesmaid in varying colours, while others stick to the same colour and opt for different styles. The latter can be particularly useful if your bridesmaids are all different heights and shapes. Remember, they need to feel comfortable too. When it comes to the men, they have the option of buying or hiring a suit. You can either go all out with tails, waistcoat and top hat or keep it a bit more casual and down to earth with a morning suit.
Flowers
When picking your bouquet it can be useful to know which blooms are in season around your wedding date as these will often be the prettier and cheaper option – great if you’re on a budget. Head down to your local florist to have a chat and see what they recommend. Tell them your colour scheme and the style of bridal bouquet you would like (hand tied, teardrop). You could also opt for matching boutonnieres for the rest of the bridal party to help them stand out on the day.
Transport
Whether you arrive in a horse drawn carriage, on a big red bus, or in a vintage car, this task is usually one the Groom to be enjoys sorting. There are so many companies to choose from and you’ll often be able to go along and sit in the car, allowing you to see how easy it will be on the day to get in and out of (bear in mind the type of dress you’ve gone for. If you go all out princess style, a sports car will be very difficult to get into for example.
Invitations and RSVPs
Often one of the more stressful wedding planning tasks is collecting everyone’s RSVPs. Remember to give guests enough time to respond when you send out the invites but also factor in a few weeks wiggle time for stragglers so you don’t end up rushing at the last minute to figure out who is able to come.
Table Plan/ Favours/ Guest Book
Once you’ve received the RSVPs from your guests, you can start to figure out the table plan. Bear in mind the size of the room – you may want one big top table facing the rest of your guests, or you may prefer a sweetheart table for just you and your new husband. The choice is yours. Try not to worry about family politics too much at this point – but bear it in mind when seating your guests if there are any guests who are likely to clash for one reason or another. Favours don’t have to be expensive and they’re not compulsory but a couple of small sweets next to each place setting is a nice touch appreciated by your guests. And don’t forget to buy a guest book for everyone to sign and wish you both well.
Rehearsal
Your wedding day is almost here! There’s just time for the rehearsal to make sure everyone knows where they need to stand, what order they’re walking down the aisle, and what to say during the ceremony. Once that’s done it’s back home for an early night to make sure you’re super refreshed for the big day.
Wedding day!
Congratulations! It’s your wedding day! Remember today is all about you and the person you are marrying. So what if it’s raining? Your photographer will capture some stunning shots of you both, rain or shine. Does it really matter if you’re running a couple of minutes late? Not really, as long as you get to your venue and you enjoy the day. It goes so fast so soak in every second!
We hope you enjoyed our blog series on what to do once you’re engaged. Do you have any other top tips you can share with our brides-to-be? Let us know! If you’re still looking for wedding hair and makeup, get in touch to see how we can help you create your perfect bridal look.