OMG, You're Engaged! Now What?! Your First 30 Days Survival Guide

Girl, take a breath! You just got ENGAGED! 💍✨

First things first - CONGRATULATIONS! Whether he surprised you with a flash mob proposal or you've been planning this moment since your third date, you're officially a bride-to-be! Cue the happy tears and champagne!

But now what? If you're anything like most of my brides, you're probably feeling a delicious mix of pure joy and "OH MY GOSH WHERE DO I EVEN START?!" Don't worry, honey - I've got your back! After photographing over 200 weddings here in Alabama and Georgia, I've seen it all, and I'm here to walk you through those crucial first 30 days without losing your mind (or your budget!).

Week 1: The "Holy Moly, This is Really Happening" Phase

Day 1-2: Celebrate Like the Queen You Are! 👑

Before you dive headfirst into Pinterest boards and venue tours, STOP! Take a hot minute to actually celebrate this incredible milestone. Call your mom, text your bestie, post that ring selfie (we're all waiting for it!), and just bask in the glow of being newly engaged.

Pro tip from your photographer friend: This is the perfect time for a casual engagement announcement photo session! Even if it's just iPhone pics in your pajamas with messy hair and happy tears - document this moment. Trust me, you'll want to remember exactly how you felt right now.

Day 3-5: The Reality Check (But Make It Fun!)

Okay, now we can talk logistics! Time for the "big three" conversations that'll set the foundation for everything else:

💰 Budget Talk (Don't Panic!):

I know, I know - talking money isn't as fun as picking out flowers, but here's the thing: knowing your budget actually makes planning MORE fun, not less! According to recent data, the average wedding in Alabama costs around $25,000-$35,000, but honey, your wedding can be absolutely magical at any budget level.

Sit down with your fiancé (still gives you butterflies, right?) and figure out:

What you can realistically afford

Who's contributing what (parents, savings, etc.)

What you're willing to splurge on vs. save on

📅 Timeline Reality Check:

The standard engagement length is 12-18 months, which gives you plenty of time to plan without going crazy. But here's what I tell all my couples: if you're dreaming of a specific season or date, start venue hunting ASAP! Popular Alabama venues (especially those gorgeous barns we all love) book up fast during peak season (hello, October weddings!).

👥 Guest List Guesstimate:

You don't need exact numbers yet, but ballpark it! Are we talking intimate 50-person celebration or full-blown 200+ party? This affects literally everything - venue size, catering, photography coverage, you name it.

Day 6-7: Vision Board Time! 🎨

Now for the FUN part! Create your vision board (Pinterest, magazine cutouts, whatever floats your boat). Don't worry about being too specific yet - just start collecting images that make you go "YES, THAT'S IT!"

Look for:

Overall vibe (rustic, elegant, boho, classic?)

Color palettes that speak to your soul

Venue styles that give you heart eyes

Dress silhouettes that make you feel like a goddess

Week 2: The "Let's Get Serious" Phase

Day 8-10: Venue Hunting Begins! 🏛️

Here's where the rubber meets the road, babe! Your venue choice affects EVERYTHING else, so this is priority number one. In Alabama and Georgia, we're blessed with incredible options:

Barn Venues (my personal favorite to photograph!):

Rustic charm with modern amenities

Perfect for that Pinterest-worthy aesthetic

Usually include tables, chairs, and basic lighting

Historic Venues:

Gorgeous architecture and built-in character

Often have preferred vendor lists

May have more restrictions but SO worth it

Outdoor Venues:

Stunning natural backdrops (hello, golden hour photos!)

Weather backup plans are ESSENTIAL

Consider seasonal factors (Alabama summers can be toasty!)

Pro photographer tip: When touring venues, think about lighting! I always tell my couples to visit at different times of day if possible. That gorgeous ceremony spot might look completely different at 4 PM vs. 6 PM.

Day 11-14: The Vendor Dream Team Assembly

Once you've got your venue locked down (or at least narrowed down), it's time to start thinking about your vendor squad. Here's the order I recommend:

Photographer (obviously I'm biased, but hear me out!)

Caterer/Food situation

Music/DJ/Band

Florist

Hair & Makeup

Why photographer second? Because good photographers book up fast, especially during peak season. Plus, your photographer will be with you longer than anyone else on your wedding day - from getting ready to the last dance. You want someone who gets your vibe and makes you feel comfortable!

Week 3: The "Details Are Everything" Phase

Day 15-18: The Great Vendor Interview Marathon

Time to start reaching out to vendors! Here's what I wish every bride knew about this process:

For Photographers (since I know this world inside and out):

Look at full wedding galleries, not just highlight reels

Make sure their editing style matches your vision

Ask about backup equipment and second shooters

Discuss timeline and how they handle family photos

Questions to ask ALL vendors:

Are you available on our date?

What's included in your packages?

What's your backup plan if something goes wrong?

Can we see recent work/reviews?

What's your payment schedule?

Day 19-21: The Style Deep Dive

Now that you have a venue and you're talking to vendors, it's time to get specific about your style. This is where that vision board becomes your best friend!

Think about:

Ceremony style (traditional, modern, outdoor, religious?)

Reception vibe (seated dinner, cocktail party, dance-all-night energy?)

Seasonal considerations (Alabama spring weddings are GORGEOUS but can be unpredictable!)

Personal touches that make it uniquely YOU

Week 4: The "We're Actually Doing This" Phase

Day 22-25: Decision Time!

By now, you should have a good feel for your top venue choices and vendor options. Time to start making some decisions! I know it's scary, but trust your gut - you'll know when something feels right.

Decision-making tips:

Sleep on big decisions (seriously, give yourself 24 hours)

Trust your instincts over everyone else's opinions

Remember: done is better than perfect

Keep your original vision in mind when others start adding their two cents

Day 26-28: The Booking Bonanza

Start booking your must-haves! Most vendors require a deposit to hold your date, so make sure you understand payment terms before signing anything.

Booking checklist:

Read contracts carefully (boring but important!)

Understand cancellation policies

Know what happens if vendors can't fulfill their obligations

Keep all contracts organized in one place

Day 29-30: Breathe and Plan Your Next Steps

Congratulations! You've survived your first month of wedding planning! Take a moment to celebrate how much you've accomplished.

What should you have by day 30:

A realistic budget framework

Venue booked or top 2-3 choices narrowed down

Key vendors contacted and some booked

A clear vision for your wedding style

A timeline for the next phase of planning

Your Next 30 Days Preview:

Finalize remaining vendor bookings

Start thinking about save-the-dates

Begin dress shopping (the fun part!)

Plan your engagement session

Create a more detailed timeline

Real Talk from Your Photographer Friend 📸

After photographing hundreds of weddings, here's what I want every newly engaged couple to know:

The 30/5 Rule is REAL: Tasks that take 5 minutes in real life will take 30 minutes on your wedding day. Build buffer time into everything!

Your Love Story Matters: Don't get so caught up in trends that you forget what makes your relationship special. The best weddings are the ones that feel authentically YOU.

Perfect is the Enemy of Good: I've never seen a wedding that went exactly according to plan, and you know what? They were all absolutely beautiful because they were filled with love.

Invest in What Matters: You'll forget the centerpieces, but you'll treasure the photos forever. Choose vendors who align with your priorities.

Alabama Wedding Planning Resources:

Peak Season: May, June, September, October (book early!)

Weather Considerations: Have backup plans for outdoor events

Local Vendors: Alabama has incredible talent - don't overlook local options

Venue Variety: From historic mansions to rustic barns to modern spaces

Final Thoughts (For Now!)

Sweet bride, you've got this! Wedding planning can feel overwhelming, but remember - at the end of the day, you're marrying your best friend, and that's what really matters. Everything else is just the pretty details that make the day special.

I'm here cheering you on every step of the way! Whether you need a photographer who gets your vision or just someone to remind you to breathe during the crazy moments, I've got your back.

What's your biggest wedding planning question right now? Drop me a line - I love helping brides navigate this exciting journey!

Ready to chat about capturing your love story? Let's grab coffee and talk about making your wedding day absolutely magical! Contact me at RachelBonnett@rcbphoto.com or check out my work at www.rcbphoto.com.

Next week: We're diving into "Choosing Your Dream Team: The Ultimate Vendor Selection Guide" - where I'll spill all the tea on finding vendors who'll make your day absolutely perfect!