We’re engaged, so now what??

Congratulations, that’s wonderful news! But once you’ve decided to take the plunge, what do you need to do to get the ball rolling?

Getting married in Australia requires just three things: two people to say “I do,” a celebrant to make it legal and the paperwork organised before and after the ceremony. Everything else is entirely up to you.

So, where should you start?

The First Two Steps

Announce your big news

Be sure to let your closest friends and family hear the exciting news directly from you first. They’re the ones who will be thrilled for you and prioritising them let’s them know how much you value them. Once the inner circle is in the know, you can feel free to make a public announcement via email or social media.

Set a tentative date

Once you’ve announced your engagement, people will naturally want to know when the big day will be. Even if the date hasn’t been decided, having a rough idea can make your early planning much easier. And if family or friends are travelling from overseas or you’re working around other priorities, you’ll all need enough time to plan. You could even involve family and friends in the planning process, if you work together well.

Don’t let anyone pressure you into locking in a date before you’re ready. The timeline should feel right for you and your partner, so if you haven’t set a date, just tell people you’re still deciding. However, a rough timeframe will help keep others in the loop and focus your early research on possible locations and costs.

Start a wedding fund

Now it’s time to think about the practicalities of planning a wedding. No matter how big or small your wedding day, a budget is essential.

This is where a tentative date assists the planning process. The timing of your wedding influences everything from the style of your wedding party, whether the reception is indoors or outdoors to the overall cost. Marrying during high season will typically incur higher costs, while marrying off peak could save you a lot.

Set a realistic monthly contribution to your wedding fund and watch it grow. This will help set your expectations as to the kind of wedding you can achieve within your budget.

If family or friends are contributing, involve them in the conversation early to ensure all are clear about who’s covering what. Whether it’s just the two of you or a group effort, starting your wedding fund now makes the journey ahead a whole lot easier.

Top Tips for Beginning your Wedding Plans

• Don’t feel pressured. Enjoy the early days of your engagement. It’s not necessary to have everything organised straight away.

• Set your budget. Have an honest conversation with your partner about what you can realistically afford. Establishing a budget early avoids misunderstandings and keeps your planning on track.

• Start collecting ideas. Create mood boards, save wedding posts, and browse magazines to gather ideas for your wedding style, colours and details. The fun bit!

• Set your priorities. Discuss what’s most important to each of you about your wedding day, whether it be the location, the ceremony, or the guest list. Knowing your priorities helps allocate your budget and focus your planning.

• Enjoy the early stages. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but these early stages are all about gathering inspiration and sharing the possibilities with your partner. Enjoy it!