Every time I read an “advice for the newly engaged” article or blog post, I’m inspired to write a similar post too. Except one that actually contains USEFUL information. I ranted about this in my last “advice for the newly engaged” post, but did you know that after you get engaged you should start to develop a guest list? Or determine who you want to be in your wedding party? So, once again, here’s some advice for you if you just got engaged (that you won’t read anywhere else)
Learn how to use Illustrator and Photoshop, ASAP
Take courses at www.Lynda.com before wedding planning gets super crazy, or sign up for a course at your nearby community college. I am not familiar with Photoshop or Illustrator at all, yet I had to use them countless times for wedding-related things. And if you aren’t familiar with them, let me just say that they are not intuitive and there are some steep learning curves.
Practice communicating your opinion in the clearest, most straightforward and succinct way possible
Look okay, sometimes women have trouble saying no, or outright disagreeing with someone because we don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. But when dealing with people you interact with during the wedding planning process, including vendors and friends that are helping you, you need to be as clear as possible about your opinions.
So for instance, if your cake decorator suggests a cake design that you think is hideous, this should NOT be your response:
"I mean, sure, that looks nice, but I was wondering if it was possible because I was thinking more along the lines of something that was perhaps a more coral color than a deep orange. I mean, if the color you’re showing me now is easier, then sure, that would probably be fine though. And, I mean, of course you’re the expert, what do I know about these things?"
WTH? And yes, we DO sound like that sometimes. And that just leaves your cake vendor completely confused. "So wait, is this deep orange okay or not?"
A much better response is:
"No, I don’t like this color orange you’re showing me. I would like something coral instead."
BOOM. Done. You’re paying your vendors folks. I’m not saying be rude to them or anything. But be straightforward and don’t worry about offending them.
Perhaps learn a bit of a crafty skill, such as sewing or calligraphy
This can help you save money down the road, or better yet, open up a host of different options that you might not have otherwise considered for your wedding!
Sign up for travel deal and airfare alerts for your desired honeymoon destinations
Even if you haven’t made a definitive decision about your honeymoon destination, hurry and sign up for travel deals and alerts for any potential honeymoon destinations. For instance, sign up for Kayak and Airfare Watchdog airfare alerts from your home airport to your honeymoon destination cities. That way you can pounce on a great deal if it comes up. Also, sign up for Travelzoo Top 20 and Newsflash deals. While they’re not destination-specific, there may be a great deal to a city that you wouldn’t have otherwise thought of!
Start a blog, a journal, or something to remember your experiences
And keep up with it! Of course, planning a wedding adds an entirely new element of busy-ness to your life, but there will be so many crazy experiences and stories from your wedding planning experience! Make sure you memorialize them some way! Whether it’s a blog that you share with the world, a notebook journal, or a simple Word document, write it down! You’ll be so thankful that you did.
