Congratulations!!!!! You just made one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, and I’m thrilled for you! Maybe you’ve been planning your day since you were six. You know the centerpieces, the location and exactly what you’ll wear. But maybe not.  Maybe your head is spinning, maybe the questions from friends and family are leaving you in a panic. You have no idea where to begin. Maybe I can help! When I got engaged, I remember sitting in the front seat of Jeremy’s car stunned and silent. I think he was a little worried that I didn’t pick up the phone to call everyone immediately…. but I wanted some time to process what just happened. Eventually I got excited and called my sister, and text some close friends. We got home from our day trip to the mountains and I purchased 3 or 4 of those giant magazines… I know one was Martha… it had the multicolored ring boxes on the cover. I dog-eared pages, picked my wedding dress and set our date…. THE VERY NEXT DAY. I knew what I wanted… a fall wedding, a great dress and to get married at Sertoma 4-H Center. So… here’s my advice on what to do next. Enjoy it. Enjoy this short time of bliss, to planning your future…. don’t let your family or friends stress you with questions. Chances are, they are just excited and want to help you have the perfect day. I challenge you to understand you aren’t planning one day by saying “yes”….. that day is that…. just one day. It’s the rest of your life that you should be so excited for. You perpetually have a teammate, someone to have your back…. someone to bring you tea when you’re sick, someone to send to the grocery for ice cream…. someone to share responsibilities. Now decide how to celebrate that! When you start to think about the big day, think about what kind of day you want…. formal? casual? outdoor? Perhaps a planner would be helpful if you are really lost as to what you want. Now research venues that fit what kind of day you want. No need to get quotes from a place like The Ritz if you desire a backyard party at the lake…. (remember, your venue might dictate other vendors, like planners, booze or catering!). Now think about secondary vendors… I think photography 😉 and videography should be next.   Now… hope that got you going on a path, and you aren’t too lost! Enjoy having that new rock on your left hand, and smiling ear to ear!