So You Just Got Engaged, Now What?

WEDDING PLANNING TIPS

So you just got engaged, and you’re feeling overwhelmed. First of all, a big heartfelt congratulations from our team here at Strawberry Creek Ranch! We know from experience that wedding planning can be a little bit stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re not sure how to get started, this guide is for you.

PHOTOGRAPHER: LIZA STANDISH PHOTOGRAPHY

1. FIRST, TAKE A MOMENT TO ENJOY YOUR TIME AS A NEWLY ENGAGED COUPLE

You may be tempted to jump right into planning, and while some things are time-sensitive, we recommend taking a few days (or weeks) to celebrate the engagement and really soak it all in. You’d be surprised at how quickly time flies when you’re planning a wedding, so savor every moment you can.

PHOTOGRAPHER: AMY LACY PHOTOGRAPHY

2. CONSIDER WHAT TIME OF YEAR YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET MARRIED

Fancy a bright, colorful, summer wedding? Or maybe you’d like a moody fall vibe. Getting a rough idea of the time frame will help once you start touring venues and booking vendors. However, try not to lock yourself into a single date. If you find your dream venue, we encourage you to be flexible with your date, or even consider getting married on a Friday or Sunday, as venues do book up quickly.

PHOTOGRAPHER: HALEY ALLEN PHOTO

3. THINK THROUGH WHAT YOUR WEDDING VISION IS & MAKE A ROUGH BUDGET

Along with settling on a time frame for your big day, it’s important to brainstorm and think about what you are envisioning for your wedding. Sit down with your partner and discuss what elements are most important to you, whether it be the venue, flowers, catering, photography, etc. Prioritize what matters most, and allocate your budget accordingly. Brainstorm what sort of vision, style, or theme you’re going for. Whether it be rustic, modern, traditional, eclectic, boho, or elegant, it’s good to get a rough idea of what style you’re drawn to before you pick your vendors.

PHOTOGRAPHER: LIZA STANDISH PHOTOGRAPHY

4. RESEARCH VENDORS & REACH OUT TO HIGH DEMAND ONES FIRST

Now that you have an idea of when you’d like to get married, your budget, and what sort of style you’re envisioning, you can start researching vendors! We recommend reaching out to vendors that are in demand first. This includes your venue, photographers, and videographers.

PHOTOGRAPHER: ABECKCAPTURES

5. PICK YOUR VENUE & FINALIZE A DATE

After you research and begin reaching out to different vendors, set up a time to tour your favorite venues. If you’re interested in touring Strawberry Creek Ranch, shoot us an email at strawberrycreekranch@gmail.com. Keep in mind the time of year you’ll be getting married, along with your wedding vision, budget, and priorities when you tour each location. Once you select a venue, you can finalize your date and reach out to additional vendors. Should you choose to have your wedding here at Strawberry Creek Ranch, we have a list of vendors to share with you to help alleviate the stress and headache of researching on your own.