Recently engaged? Here’s where to start
January 14, 2020
According to WeddingWire, some 40% of engagements occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. For all those who unwrapped something sparkly this year — or who may yet find a ring floating in their New Year’s champagne — congratulations! Here’s a guide to what comes next.
Make Your Announcement
Happiness deserves to be shared. Let your loved ones and/or your entire social media network in on the good news as soon as you’re ready to spread the word.
- Call or FaceTime parents and other close buddies first so they’re in on the secret before the rest of the world (it’s an easy way to avoid drama)
- Schedule an engagement shoot, post photos, and monitor your notifications for the all the OMGs and party emojis you can handle
- Embrace spontaneity and send out a group text with a candid shot taken just after the big proposal
This is a great time to come up with a custom hashtag you can use throughout wedding planning and beyond, so every photo you and your guests take end up searchable across whatever social platforms you choose to use.
Craft Your Vision
Next, it’s time to decide on the look and feel for your wedding. The framework you put in place now will influence almost every decision to come. Is it rustic chic or fairy tale-inspired elegance? A small destination wedding in the mountains of Western Massachusetts or a massive get-together in a hotel ballroom a few miles from home? Do you want a summer fiesta so you can wear an airy, strapless dress or would you rather get married in a winter wonderland with an icy lake and snow-covered mountains as your backdrop?
Once you have a basic vision for your big day, it’s time to set a date. Though you may already have some specific days in mind, there are other considerations that may come into play:
- Weekends are easier for guests who have to travel, but weekdays may be cheaper as they’re often less in demand
- Beware of dates with personal significance (your parents’ anniversary or Grandma’s 70th birthday, for instance) or popular holidays or events (Fourth of July, spring break) that could complicate matters
- Be mindful of seasonality — you can’t have an autumnal extravaganza in March nor will a beach destination be ideal during the rainy season
- Non-peak season weddings can mean huge savings on everything from plane tickets to accommodations to local activities (all the better for keeping guests entertained during a long weekend)
Pick a Venue
Here comes the especially fun part! Touring venues gives you an opportunity to see the magic of a space firsthand. You’ll interact with staff, stand exactly where you and your beloved will soon say your vows, and maybe even check out the honeymoon suite. Picking a venue is the linchpin — put a deposit down on the right all-in-one venue and the entire rest of the planning process will be exponentially less stressful.
Know that the perfect date and the perfect venue aren’t always the perfect match. You’ll likely have to compromise on one or the other unless you book far in advance, but in most cases scoring the location of your dreams takes priority. Saying ‘I do’ on a different day won’t matter when every other detail is simply sublime.
Whether you’ve always dreamed of a wedding day on the waterfront in the Berkshires or just want to explore something different, The Lake House or The Proprietors Lodge is the venue tours you’ve been waiting for. To speak with our event planner or get more information on our stunning guest cottages and dynamic venue, contact our team today.
