1. Tell Your Family BEFORE Social Media 

Trust me. You don't want your parents finding out that you "Just Said Yes!" from Facebook. You don't have to tell them fifteen minutes later, but don't share any photographs with anyone else first.

2. Insure the Bling

It might seem like it'd be impossible for anything bad to happen to your engagement ring when you glance at it / admire it every few seconds (I don't blame you!!); however, you can never be too careful. If it's insured, you can at least have peace of mind. 

3. Size It 

Since the importance of insuring the ring came up, let's also stress the importance of the ring being the proper size (which will obviously decrease the chances of it slipping off of your finger accidentally). It should only take a few days for the jeweler to do, and it'll be even more wonderful when you don't have to worry about it slipping and twisting around. 

4. Discuss a General Timeframe

I DO NOT recommend selecting a date ahead of time unless it's really sentimental to you. Why? I used to work in Venue Management and I cannot tell you how many times couples would come in and want the same date, only to find out that it was already booked after falling in love with the space.

Most venues don't book more than one event per day, and if you're considering peak wedding season, chances are you'll need to have a little wiggle room. Flexibility is key here. Go ahead and narrow it down to a month or two that you're interested in so that you have multiple dates to choose from when you find the venue of your dreams. 

4. Set a Budget

Yeah, so this isn't the most fun of tasks to kick the wedding planning process off with, but it's probably the most important. Talk to your fiancé and family to determine where you stand budget-wise so that you know what you can realistically afford. 

5. Hire a Wedding Planner

Hiring a wedding planner truly is an investment for the big day - the earlier you book, the more you can save. As professionals, we have a lot of connections in the wedding industry and can recommend quality vendors for you within your budget. Throughout the process, we keep that budget in mind with your vision and work together to make your dream come to life. 

6. Enjoy the Engagement

I'm not talking about the first three days, I mean the whole year (or however long). It's easy to get swept up in the planning process, but make sure to keep the focus on the two of you.

The details are fun, but they last a day. Your marriage will last forever. Schedule date nights, keep getting to know one another and be mindful of one another's opinions on the wedding.

This past weekend, I was honored to exhibit at The Bride Guide to West Chester's Bridal Fair. The show has been held annually for a few years now, but this was my first time participating as a vendor and it was a wonderful experience. 

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Over 140 brides arrived to the Chester County Historical Society in West Chester, PA with their fiancee, MOH's and mothers to meet new vendors, participate in a cake smash (it was as messy as it sounds) and win amazing prizes donated by the vendors. 

It meant a lot to me to participate in a bridal show that was held in a museum, as my background in history is a big part of my practice as a planner and the work that I do. If you haven't yet, be sure to check out the Chester County Historical Society - they run wonderful events year-round.