I proposed to my wife in September of 2012.  It was one of the best days of my life.  After all of the congratulations received, there comes a point where the planning for this joyous occasion must begin.  Below are some of my experiences throughout this incredible journey:

• Take your time- Unless you are in a rush to get married, enjoy your new title as a fiancé.  It’s your day (and of course your future spouses). In the beginning, middle, or final stages of planning, take time to have fun and enjoy one another.  I bet you have been asked multiple times about when or where it will be.  How should you know? You just put the ring on her finger and finished posting about it via social media.  Then again, chances are you may have an idea of a date or month or day in mind.  Start planning when you are both ready.

Take it or leave it tip- Stay involved.  I found discussing our wedding turned out to be very beneficial.  I’ll admit I wasn’t fond of picking out flowers or figuring out invitation fonts, but I was there for it and it was a decision we made together.

• Organization- My wife is the most organized person I know.  She had a binder that held our budget info, our contributions towards deposits or fees from vendors, a calendar of when things were due, and when things needed to be scheduled by.  I’ll admit I gave her a hard time about it and joked how silly it was, but it was extremely helpful and for that I am grateful she did it because it made the process smoother. Take it or leave it tip- Plan comfortably; it helps build communication with your future spouse.

• Budget. Figure out what your financial situation will be.  What you can and cannot afford (Thank you, binder!).  Do you want it or do you need it? Take it or leave it tip: I went out and bought a change counting jar.   Together, just over a year we saved around $500 based just off loose change.  We saved it for the final week.  You will find tedious things are needed, such as paying the limo’s overtime, if necessary, pre-party lunch with your groomsmen or bridesmaids.  It’s some extra cash lying around for a “just in case” moment.

• Venue.  This is a big decision.  Where and when will your big celebration be?  This was a big weight off our shoulders.  You plan the spot and then everything else will mostly build around it.

Take it or leave it tip #1- Make an estimated head count of how many guests may attend.  Some venues can only carry so many people, so it may help with some decisions.

Take it or leave it tip #2- For venue AND vendor appointments, write down questions you may have.  Along with that binder, my wife also carried around a black marble notebook filled with all kinds of questions.  Did I think it was over the top? At the moment yes, I gave her heat for having it, but again, it was extremely helpful to answer any questions we were bound to forget but remember after the appointment

Take it or leave it tip #3- At this point have an idea of what day of the week, month, and year in which you want to be married in.  Can’t decide? Have your fiancé write three potential months and you do the same, and then reveal them to each other.  You’ll find yourself asking each other why those months were chosen, perhaps picking the same month or season at least.

Plan at your own speed, and have fun.  After all, you’re planning for one of the biggest celebrations of your life.

To be continued…