I wrote this blog post almost a year ago giving advice to couples who just got engaged. While most of that remains true, I wanted to write another post because some things have changed due to the pandemic. If you just got engaged, are about to get engaged, or have been engaged for awhile and feel like you are in a holding pattern make sure to keep reading!

Enjoy!

First off, congratulations! ENJOY this time. I know right now can seem like you are caught between being excited and not sure what your options even are at this point. But don’t let the pandemic take away from the joy you two feel.

Insure your ring

If you received a ring during the proposal, make sure to add it to your insurance. You want to be covered! And its amazing how quickly you can forget this once diving into some of the more fun wedding tasks.

Choose a date

Once you are ready to start think about planning, start by choosing a date. Any vendor you reach out to will need to know your date in order to work with you.

2021 may still be a difficult year to have a safe and large celebration. But that is okay! We have been a part of some really incredible small weddings where there has been so much joy and reason to celebrate (safely). If you are wanting to throw a huge party, with a hundred or more guests, I would consider looking at 2022. This may give you a better chance of being able to plan the HUGE celebration you were wanting.

If you were thinking of doing something small, you may think you don’t have many options but you do! There are so many fun ways to celebrate small. Check out this blog post I wrote about small weddings!

Choose your top 3 things

There are so many things that you could have to think about when planing a wedding. It can be overwhelming. Sit down together and decide what your three top things are that are the most important on your wedding day. Once you have those, focus your time and money on that! Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Reach out to your vendors ASAP

If you have a date and there is someone you have been dreaming of working with, reach out as soon as you can. With all of the reschedules from last year, the bookings we originally had for 2021, and new engagements, its potentially going to be a busy year! I am so excited about working with every single one of our 2021 couples and feeling hopeful that we get to work together in some way. But with everything that has gone on, I do not have very many Saturday bookings available. And I know a lot of other wedding vendors are in the same boat. And nothing sucks more than having to turn away people who are so excited to work with you!

Don’t do things that make you unhappy

I feel like I talk about this one a lot but I stand by it whole heartedly. Don’t do anything on your wedding day you don’t want to. Don’t let any of your loved ones make you feel bad about your wedding decisions. I know this one is a tough one. You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings but if someone wants you to do something you really don’t want to do, you end up feeling sad or frustrated on your day. And that is the exact opposite of what you should feel! I have had so many couples come and tell me that certain things they have done on their wedding day make them cringe but they feel like they have to do them to make everyone else happy. Um, does anyone else see how unfair that is?? I will not apologize for supporting the things that you want to do one your wedding day, the things that bring you joy and make your day unique.

I feel like this past year people really have done some super fun and creative things for their weddings. They have embraced traditions they love and ignored ones they don’t. I really hope that continues in the wedding industry.

Know your back up options

If you are planning to getting married this year in some capacity, when booking your vendors make sure to discuss back up options. In IL, the restrictions on large gatherings are still there. Talk to your venue especially about what ideas they have this year and how they are going to make your day safe.

Don’t be afraid to chat with your vendors if you have questions! We are all in this together.

Invest in your photography/videography

I know I am a photographer/videographer writing this but even if it weren’t I would stand by this too. Especially in the last year where I have been a part of so many celebrations that did not get to happen like couples original planned. Having beautiful photos and videos that document your day allow your loved ones to feel like they were a part of the celebration too!

Find ways to make this time and your wedding day special

I know this isn’t what you imagined the world would be like when you got engaged. But there are still so many ways you can celebrate and safely. Have a virtual engagement party or a drive by parade. Soak in all this extra time just the two of you at home and make the most of it by doing fun date nights! We will all get through this and you two will get married. And however it happens, it is going to be an incredible day!