Newly engaged!!

Hello! CONGRATULATIONS! I've only just started posting on here, but I believe the 'rules' state you have to tell us all about the proposal!

B2B and I didnt know where to start either, but we thought until we had the venue booked, we didnt feel like we could really start planning properly without a date (rubbish, of course, but hey!)...so maybe start thinking dates and venue? Oh and wedding mags...(not that I read them, obviously ? theyre only there for B2B's entertainment...)

Thank you!! It was a very relaxed proposal as he knew that I'd prefer it, we had just woken up on sunday morning and having a chat and then h2b started telling me how much he loved me etc and then asked me to marry him and produced my beautiful ring from under his pillow! The weird thing about it was I'd already thought to myself that would be the perfect way and h2b later told me he was planning to take me out for a walk and all that as it was a nice day but something just pinged for him to do it first thing!! Can you tell I'm excited!!

We've already decided on August 2011, probably seems like a long time, but I want to enjoy being engaged and plan everything at a steady pace. Think I'll be buying some wedding mags soon, don't want to scare my h2b!

Thanks for your advice!!

Hi Steffib87,

Welcome to hitched! 2011 will come round in no time! You'll be addicted to Hitched by that point though ?, Maybe a bit before that actually!

Hi! Congrats!

Myself and h2b just got married 3 weeks ago so I understand the feeling of 'where do we start?' only too well! ?

The first thing we did was to discuss our budget and start looking at venues. We'd discussed where we wanted to get married before we got engaged so it was just a case of looking online to see what options in that area were. We also worked out a loose date as places always ask you when you go to view them. Some places book up really quickly! We want to get married in 2010 and one place we went to see was fully booked for 2010 already! So we thought of moving it to 2011 and another place was like 'wow, you're planning early'! You can't win! ?

Have fun planning!

Hi Steffib87,

Welcome and Congratulations! ?

Sounds like a lovely proposal! Have fun planning.

Everyone here is so helpful & friendly - you picked the right place! x

See thats what I thought (about being booked quickly) I have previously worked in hotels, one is a very popular choice for weddings and when I was working there in 2005 people were booking for 2009!! My thinking is, by the time we actually set the date, have worked out the budget and started viewing places it will be 2 - 2 and a half years and if they are anything like this year, it will fly by! Can't wait to go to viewings and being treated like a b2b!

My h2b asked the cutest question last night, whether he comes to the wedding shows and what not, he's really excited too, which doesn't make me feel as bad for wanting to start so quickly!!

Congratulations and welcome!

You'll love it here!

Good luck with all your planning!

Ali x

Sounds like a top H2B - there's plenty of us blokes who get excited too! Certainly dont think 2011 is too far away to start planning...and at least it gives you time to start saving...I had a figure in my head as we both dont want to spend too much and already my spreadsheet (Im a geek!) is showing an overrun...and thats with me getting told off for only budgetting 50 quid for B2Bs shoes! Don't see whats wrong with flip flops if theyre under a big dress? (Ducks for cover!) ?

Congratulations and welcome to Hitched! It is very addictive, I have been married over a year now and still can't seem to leave!

Happy planning x

You're not a geek, I can see myself having something like that, just to keep an eye on the spends! We're hopefully setting up our wedding account this weekend and have been thinking of things we can cut out to help save as we really do want a fairy tale wedding.

I will be wearing flat shoes under my dress - no one will see so I don't care!! a friend of a friend wore trainers!

I'm now thinking that setting a budget should be first on our list! I'm so greatful for everyone's help.

Hello Steffib and welcome to Hitched. Sounds like the proposal was perfect for you. I would agree set the budget first! Then get main things booked like venues, catering, and photographer (they seem to book pretty quickly in my experience). Happy planning.

Cx

Hi Stef ? and welcome!

You've come to the right place.

I agree with all said above, the first thing really is to decide a budget (think of a number and double it!) then start looking at venues. The rest sort of seems to follow from there. The venue will need you to contact the registrar (if you're having a civil ceremony) so that follows, then things that get booked up in advance like photographer and entertainment. A lot of the finer details after that seem to come from your dress and the style of it. I'm at a bit of a lull at the moment cos I can't do anything else (flowers, BMdresses, colur scheme etc) until I get my dress sorted (Going shopping some time this month tho ? ).

Good luck with it, and most of all - enjoy!

Hi and congratulations!!!!

I loved the feeling of being engaged! Especially at the beginning.

I have to agree that the budget is the single most important thing at the beginning stages. It will allow all of the other decisions to be made more easily. You need to find out from family if they will be willing to help contribute towards the costs, that's if you want any help. You need to work out how much your outgoings are each month, how much you have left and what you can afford to save. Also assess if you are willing to pay for things on credit cards. If you have a credit card where you can gain airmiles, use the card to pay for things and use your savings to pay the card off monthly. This way you can use airmiles towards your honeymoon. Open a savings bank account which is solely for the wedding. This way you can see how much you have and if you are over spending. A wedding planner spread sheet is a must, but you can use website planners like the one on Hitched which will allow you to keep an eye on your costs.

When setting budgets I always allow a 10% contingency fund. So, if you're budget is £15,000, make your budget £13,500 and have £1,500 spare. This will help for any unforseen situation if it arises.

You then need to work out how many people you think you might have attending. This will allow you then to work out whether a venue is affordable or not. If you find a venue you love but is too much you can look at reducing your numbers or you will have to look at another venue which has a cheaper price per head.

Hope that helps, and enjoy your planning!

Ruth

x

I can't thank you all enough...so much help...I'm so excited! I think we are both swaying towards a church ceremony, lucklily we are linked to a very nice local village church. I think I've already got my heart set on this one venue called the lion quays (if you google it it's one of the first ones, it's in oswestry) we went together at the beginning of the year and it was gorgeous there!!

? hi and welcome

you've got good advice there from finesse - set your budget, work out where you want to spend it (the hitched online wedding planner will help you with that), do a draft guest list, then you can start looking at venues etc, and then dresses!

Oh, I also have another suggestion given the excellent comments on budgets - don't feel pressurised by the whole 'the average cost of a wedding is now £xxxxxxxxx' as there really isnt any need to spend more than you're happy to - theres certainly plenty of B2Bs on here with very sensible budgets, and one of the best weddings Ive been to was in someones garden and each member of the family brought something to contribute to the buffet...

Congratulations and welcome to Hitched.

2011 will fly round. I got engaged in March this year and we set the date for August 2010 which at the time was 2 1/2 yrs away!! Can't believe that in 28 days time we will be saying "We are getting married next year"

That is so amazing, bet thats better than an advent calender at the moment! how are your plans coming along?

We have the reception booked and photographer, and I have ordered my dress.

Congratulations from me too, and welcome to Hitched! ?