Congratulations - You're Engaged! What's Happens Next?
You’ve found the love of your life, you’ve got the ring on your finger, and you’re ready to start planning the big day.
There’s only one problem…you aren’t sure where to begin.
We’ve got you covered! Complete these steps below, and you’ll be ready to start touring wedding venues and planning your dream day.
1) Determine your overall budget.
This should be your total spend - venue, food, entertainment, attire, transportation, etc. We recommend talking to parents and anyone else who may be financially contributing to your wedding. There are plenty of excellent resources online to make sure you leave no stone unturned when planning your budget. Your venue will have an idea of the average spend at their location, but each wedding is different! Make sure to prioritize what you and your partner want so you can make the most of your day.
Cliffside Tip - Your venue fee should be no more than 35% of your overall budget.
2) Create Your Guest List
Your guest list will determine which venues you should tour based on their capacity. This can be overwhelming, but the most important part is to start early so you have time to refine the list, as well as send out save-the-dates and invitations on time.
Cliffside Tip - We suggest creating an “A-List” and “B-list.” Your A-List should include the guests you absolutely cannot imagine your day without, and your B-List should include the people you’d like to have but can cut if necessary. The B-List is usually made up on potential plus-ones, kids, and distant relatives.
3) Narrow Down Your Preferred Season
This allows you to narrow down venues that have dates available during your preferred time of year while still leaving room for date flexibility. Here in Ohio, its hard to determine what the weather will be on any given date, but be sure to keep in mind what you want your wedding to look and feel like, it will help you narrow down a general month or season.
Cliffside Tip - June, September, & October are the most popular wedding months in Ohio, and they tend to fill up the most quickly. Check out our availability here.
4) Determine Your Preferred Venue Aesthetic.
There are many different types of venues - country clubs, modern event spaces, rustic barns, museums, hotels, etc. - that caterer to all preferences. Determining your ideal venue type will help you narrow down your “must tour” list and save you time.
Cliffside Tip - If you’re not sure where to begin, we recommend creating a Pinterest board to help you figure out your vision.
5) Create a (short) list of Non-Negotiables.
What are your deal breakers? These may include an indoor ceremony option, on-site parking, convenient hotel access, etc. This list should have wide range of things that are important to you or your partner, and no non-negotiable is too silly or insignificant. Having this list handy when making decisions on venues, vendors, and decorations will set you up for a magical day.
Cliffside Tip - the most important aspect of this step is to include your partner by communicating priorities and non-negotiables. You’re a team now!
6) Take a deep breath
Planning your wedding can be overwhelming, but the most important step is the first one you take. Remember, the most important part of your wedding is when you say “I do”. Your wedding day is a celebration of your love, so make sure you’re having fun!
Cliffside Tip - You got this!
After you’ve done these 6 things, your wedding planning journey can begin! Whether you’re using a planner or taking on the challenge by yourself, you can set yourself up for success by using these steps as a starting point. Cliffside Acres continues to explore and create helpful tools for all couples. Stay tuned to our socials and blog pages to make sure you won’t miss a launch!