My goal here at White Lace Wedding is to provide you with new, unique wedding planning advice, tips and ideas but there is an article I wrote at the beginning of January to help newly engaged brides who are feeling a little overwhelmed and don't know where to begin. I thought I might prove useful, so I will share it here as well.




So - you just got engaged, and now you to plan an affordable yet beautiful wedding but you have no idea were to start. Believe me, you are not along - wedding planning is overwhelming and most brides have no idea were to start.

The FIRST thing you should do it get organized and get your resources together. Here are the things I recommend to all brides:

1. Sign up for your Free Online Wedding Planner - it is amazing and will help keep everything in order.

2. Sign up for Stephi's free newsletter at Fire Your Wedding Planner - it is always full of very valuable advise for an affordable wedding. She also has a very good ebook you might want to consider.

3. I also recommend purchasing the eBook Dream Weddings On A Budget (not written by me) It is one of the best out there and definitly worth the $12 price tag - it will save your hundreds if not thousands.

4. You will also need to get a notebook and pen to carry with you all the time so you can jot down ideas and take notes when your computer isn't handy. It's really great if you can get one with pockets so you can hold fabric samples, invitation samples, and whatever else you may pick up along the way.

Once you have those resources together, the next thing you need to do is BUDGET. You will need to set a tentative date before you begin so that you have an idea of how much time you have to save money. Then, plan a meeting with all parties involved in financing the wedding, either as a group or one on one depending on the situation - figure out how much each person can contribute - and put that together to determine what you budget will be.

After your budget has been determined, you need to set a list of priorities. What things are most important to you? Would you rather have a steak and lobster dinner with close family, or is it more important to you to have everyone there even if it means going with a cake and punch reception? Pick out the things that are really important to you first, then you can start researching ideas to sae money on the rest.

SO - you've got your resources, your date and your budget - what next?? Now you need to start researching venues and vendors for the best possible deal. Some things that need to be booked early include:

- locations

- caterer if you are having one

- photographer/video

- musicians/dj

- officiant

- any rentals

Well, I hope that gives you a good starting point. Enjoy the process, it does not have to be stressful, just take it one day at a time:)