GIRL, Hey!!! You’ve just gotten ENGAGED! Yes! I am here to say there is an exciting road ahead of you and I am just thrilled for you! There is also… a lot of work ha! But on the bright side I am here to help you in any way to point you in a direction to make this process SO easy!
STEP ONE: So, your man just popped the ring! You’ve said yes and have no idea where to start. The very FIRST step is to find a date. What my husband and I did is really thought of who we really wanted at our wedding. Then from there we had two dates (a friday and a saturday date) and we asked everyone who was really important to us which date worked better for them. My best friends are also in the wedding industry, so they had a wedding saturday. If I wanted them to be in the wedding it was going to be hardcore, it was a friday wedding. I honestly was totally ok with this because to this day, Friday weddings have such a special place in my heart! Saturday weddings are just as wonderful, but just since I personally got married on a friday, It is super special to me to be able to photograph other friday weddings!
STEP TWO: The next step is HIRE A PLANNER! You heard it here first. Hire a planner. I’m sure you’re thinking – “I’m just not sure I need a planner, I’m a type A personality and have this under control” I am going to stop you there, hold your hand and pat it and say to you. . . You may not understand why you want to hire a planner but you are going to thank me SO much later. She’s going to SAVE you money on your budget in the long run by making sure everything is organized and prioritized for your big day. She does all the dirty work for ya, and you will be amazed the pressure that is taken off of you by the end of the day!! Here are a few of my fav wedding planners!
https://chanceycharmweddings.com/atlanta/
https://timelesseventplanning.com/
STEP THREE: I know you, photography and videography is super important to you. Which is honestly why I recommend starting the search very early on into your wedding planning. Photographers and videographers book up extremely quick and if it’s as important as you think it is, you should make sure your photographer has the date available before you choose a venue. I have had to turn brides down because I am booked for certain dates that their venue only had open. SO sad. Experienced, legal photographers typically start at $8500 and range up from there. Videographers tend to offer a variety of different collections including just ceremony films .Typical all day collections will also start right around $8-9000 for an incredible videographer. Choosing a team that has worked together is a plus, but not always a requirement. My husband and I serve along side each other as a photo and video team and we compliment each other perfectly! Since I personally have been in the industry over 10 years, I have worked with many videographers and find that the less experienced ones are more difficult to work with just because they don’t understand how to work with photographers as well. Regardless, we try our hardest to love and serve our couples to the best of our ability whether they have hired a less experienced videographer or just another vendor in general.
Ask for multiple full galleries, and wedding videos. You want to be able to see your wedding images in this style and you want to love every single image you see from your photographer.
Also, making sure you click and get a long is also just a really important step. Your photographer will be along side you and with you more during the wedding day than your spouse will be!
STEP FOUR: Finding your venue. I’m sure you have in your mind a little bit of venues. I really love skimming pinterest for my favorite venues and asking your planner for good recommendations. Especially if you’re not really around to go in for a tour, your planner will assist you with scheduling a virtual tour and keeping you up to date with all the precautions that venues are doing right now. (see, you’re already thanking me for hiring a planner!) Depending on your preferences some venues allow for ceremony and reception or just one or the other. Personally from experience you will find that you will LOVE having everything at one spot. It’s very convenient for everyone including your guests! Another tip is also trying to find a venue that has on site catering and all rentals included in the cost. It will be more expensive but the hassle it takes out of finding another vendor to set up and take down is worth it!
Here are some favorite venues around TN/ GA / SC
https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/buildings-and-grounds/swan-house/
https://castletonfarms.com/?utm_campaign=WeddingWire&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=weddingwire.com
I really could go on and on about venues we’ve been to and love, but that would take forever! That’s what a planner is there to help with too! 🙂
So these are just four steps to get you started and to just be able to relax a little when you check these four things off your list!!
I can’t wait to see you along side all the planning and the amazing wedding you throw! If you haven’t yet, check out our website by clicking here!! We would love to assist you in any way we can!!
xo, Ashlea
LEAVE A COMMENT