The holiday of love is upon us. How are you celebrating this year? If you’re asking the one you love to marry you this Valentine’s Day, then this blog is for you. To start, congratulations! Engagement is such a busy and exciting time of anticipation and joy as you begin to build your lives together. Once your big questions is answered with a “Yes!” there are some logistics to quickly jump on. As you begin to plan for your big day, here are some things to keep at the top of your to-do list.
Pop the Question
An engagement starts with a simple question. Although you may already know what the answer will be, what better day to celebrate your love than the day dedicated to it? If you plan to pop the question on February 14, it’s imperative to plan something that your soon-to-be fiancée will never forget.
Leave the chocolates and flowers to the Valentines of the past and go big with diamonds and romance. A private dinner with a chef cooking for just you two? Or a trip back to your first date to remind yourselves where the love first began. No matter what you choose, keep your loved one in the dark and lead them to believe that it’ll be a regular day. Then, when she (or he) least expects it, make your move!
Set the Date
First things first, you need to decide on a date to say “I do!” By setting a date first, you can better plan out your next steps and how quickly you need to get things done. In most cases, you’ll need to provide a date before moving forward with items like “Save the Date” letters, any rental purchase, a band or DJ, and most importantly, your caterer.
Decide on a Budget
Once you’ve set your date, it’s time to set your budget. This way, you can begin to prioritize what is most important to you and how to allocate the funds for it. When setting a budget, you are able to plan how many people you can afford to invite. Most importantly, you won’t be making blind financial decisions and raking up expenses.
Book the Venue
The biggest expense for most couples during the wedding planning process is the venue. It is important to book your venue early, as availability for popular locations goes quickly. Usually, there is a deposit and then a final payment that must be made on the ceremony venue and the reception venue. For those looking to book their ceremony and reception in the same venue, this can significantly cut down costs and removes the need for travel arrangements between locations.
Hire a Caterer
Depending on the couple’s taste, a caterer can be a large expense in many wedding budgets. You want your guests to eat right! It is important to hire a caterer as soon as possible because availability for peak seasons, like spring and summer, disappear quickly. When choosing a caterer, look for one with plenty of experience and customizable options.
At Bradford Catered Events, we have fully customizable menus to meet any bride’s needs. We are here to assist you on your big day and help the reception run as smoothly as possible. We’ll even box up some leftovers for you to take to the honeymoon suite! By booking a caterer with a myriad of options, you can be assured you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.
Get Showered with Showers
Enough of the planning, let’s talk parties! After getting engaged, it is traditional in the South to have an engagement, bridal, or wedding shower hosted for the couple in honor of the upcoming union. Usually, this is not planned by the couple, but thrown as a gift to celebrate the engagement. These events can be any size and thrown for both the bride and groom. If you are in charge of celebrating a newly engaged couple, make sure to include hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and toasts. This is a sweet way to celebrate the engagement period and share the excitement with close friends and family.
If you are newly engaged and are gearing up to plan your big day or a shower to honor the new fiancées, it is time to book your caterer! Bradford Catered Events has years of experience under their belt and numerous customizable menus. To book us for any of your wedding needs, visit our website or give us a call at (865) 522-5552.
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