wedding planning

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The past two months that followed getting engaged have been a whirlwind of wonderful. Fiancé and I have spent so much time soaking it all in and celebrating with our families and friends. I still can't stop staring at my left ring finger. It's like a sparkly orb that just sucks me in.

We have also been in planning mode. Even though our special day is just over a year away, we know exactly what we see for our day and we know what goes into it. The early bird gets the worm, right? Or should I say...the early bride gets the dream wedding.

A week after I said "yes," we found our venue. It only took three tries. We had a long list of venues to look at, but walking into this one just felt right. We forgot all the rest. After that, everything just fell into place. Photographer, DJ, ceremony musicians, florist, engagement party, invitation designs, dress appointments. I am so grateful for the huge help from my family. Thanks mama, pops, and sis. My Knot checklist is quickly disappearing. I feel triumphant!

If there is any advice I can give to those who have embarked on wedding planning or eventually will, it's to remain as stress-free as possible. This is one of the most special times in your life. Do you really want to spend it stressing, rushed, and unsure? No. It's a time to be soaked in and appreciated, and the process is meant to be enjoyable.

A few things I swear by...

Save money. I've been saving long before I was engaged. I had a savings account specifically for the big day. Even if you put a dollar in a day, it's still something. Every little bit helps. It's better to be prepared because things add up fast, especially with pricy deposits when booking vendors.
Plan ahead. Have your vision (thank you, Pinterest) and book out as early as possible. Vendors book out quickly and waaaay ahead of time. If you want your wedding to be what you envision then it's best to be on top of things. Earlier the better.
Have a checklist. The Knot has a detailed checklist based on your wedding date. It's been really helpful to create timelines and make sure I don't miss anything.
Make a separate wedding email. Your inbox is going to explode, especially if you go to the bridal expos. After I went, my inbox was constantly filling up. It's easier to have a separate email and helps you stay organized.
Don't overload the groom. While Fiancé has been nothing short of enthusiastic in the planning process, I don't make him obsess over certain things as much as I do. Does a guy really know the difference between a white garden rose and a polar star rose? Hell, I don't even think I do. Talk about the big and important things, but don't overload him.

There will definitely be some hiccups in the road, although we cross our fingers there won't be. I'm still crossing mine. The best you can do is try to avoid as many hiccups as you can by being timely, prepared, and being in love with every step of your wedding journey.