First, congratulations on your engagement! This is an exciting time filled with love, bliss, and a bit of planning. Once the initial excitement settles, there are several important steps you should take to set the stage for your wedding journey. Here are ten things that will help you make a strong start to wedding planning in Raleigh.

1. Soak it In

Take time to enjoy your engagement before you get into planning.

We all know the classic tale: The day after you get engaged, you sit down with your partner and your laptop and begin google searching “wedding planning in Raleigh.” After a few hours staring at a multitude of venues, color palettes, invitation concepts, and wedding photographers the elation of your engagement becomes dampened by an overwhelming feeling of stress. This does not need to be your story. Those first few weeks of engagement are precious, and while it is good to start planning early, you can give yourself a time to enjoy this joyful season of life. We recommend waiting at least a week before you start the wedding planning process to soak in this exciting time with your loved ones.

2. Share the News

Make sure you celebrate with the people that matter most.

You have just said “yes” to spending the rest of your life with your dream person (and you may have some new bling to show off!) Take some time to call your besties, post on social media, meet up with your local friends, have a fabulous engagement party, and share the good news. This is also a great opportunity to share when you are thinking of having your wedding so your closest loved ones can clear their calendar. Prepare to feel cherished and celebrated!

3. Get Your Ring Insured

Protect against the unexpected.

It is a good idea to get your ring insured in the unfortunate circumstance that something goes wrong. This might be something your partner has already taken care of for you, but if not, most local Raleigh jewelers offer ring insurance. You can use this website to get a free quote. Typically insurance is 1-2% of the ring value per year.

4. Pick a Date

Select a few dates so you have options when searching for venues.

The most popular seasons for weddings in Raleigh are Fall and Spring. We suggest picking a couple dates or choose a general time of year so you have options when talking with wedding venues. If you have a particular venue in mind you can call them to find out what dates they still have available. Consider local events and holidays that might influence your date due to extra traffic and people being in town, like the North Carolina State Fair or Dreamville Fest. Local events like this could impact travel time and flight and hotel availability!

5. Hire a Wedding Planner

Wedding planners help create a fun and stress-free event.

When planning your wedding in Raleigh, NC, you will have a lot of options for every decision you have to make. Hiring a wedding planner can turn a million complicated decisions into a simple yes or no. At Signature Events, our premium planning packages ensure that every part of your wedding process is seamless and stress-free. You get to make all the fun decisions and we help keep you organized. Wedding planners can help answer any questions you have and connect you with other vendors to carry out your vision for your wedding day. You can book your planner as early in the process as you’d like, as they can help you with the overwhelming first step of finding your venue! We offer everything from full-service planning to event management. Contact us to get the planning party started!

6. Make a Preliminary Guest List

How many people do you want at your party?

The number of guests you decide to invite is an important factor in the wedding planning process. Your guest count will determine what venue you choose and how much you spend on volume related items like invitations and catering. When looking at venues, you will need to have a general guest count in mind. We recommend assuming that 60% – 80% of your guest list will be able to attend. Use this basic math to plan accordingly! Once your guest list is ready to go, you can use a platform like Zola to collect guest addresses via text and email!

7. Create a Budget Considering Local Raleigh Prices

Spend on the things that matter.

Decide on a wedding budget that works for both of you. When wedding planning in Raleigh, you will be met with a wide range of vendor options and prices. Creating a budget will help you prioritize spending on the things you care about and avoid financial surprises later on. If you hire a wedding planner, they can share their realistic expectations of how much your wedding day will cost, and they can guide you to use your money in areas that will make the greatest impact (rather than wasting money on things that guests won’t care about!)

8. Pick a Venue for Your Wedding in Raleigh

Find the venue of your dreams.

The venue options seem limitless for wedding planning in Raleigh. Maybe you have been dreaming of a luxurious estate like Donovan Manor, or perhaps you are inspired by the modern open air chapel at The Hartwood. Your venue can set the tone for your event, and your wedding planner can help make sure you get the most out of the venue you choose. No two venues are the same. You cannot always compare them equally because some have different inclusions. Therefore, it is important to have an expert on your side when making this first big decision about your special day! For a fairly comprehensive list of local Raleigh wedding venues, check out Heart of NC weddings!

9. Book your Engagement Photos

Photographers book up early! 

Once you have your date, venue, and planner locked down the next vendor you want to book is your photographer. Engagement photos are a great way to get to know your photographer and make sure their style aligns with what you want for your wedding day. They also give you a chance to snuggle up with your honey and capture the start of your lifelong romance. Book early if you want to use these photos on your save the dates or wedding invitations. And, as always, your wedding planner can help you find a photographer that is your perfect fit! At Significant Events, some of our local favorites include The Chase Collective, Laura Memory Photography, and Danielle Volk Creative!

10. Decide on Your Wedding Party

Choose your starting lineup.

It’s likely that you already have a few people in mind to stand with you on your special day. Work with your fiancé to decide how big you want your wedding party to be. Think about how and when you will ask them to be a part of your special day. Let your wedding party know when you are getting married early so they can be prepared and start thinking about your other celebrations like pre-wedding getaways and showers!

Getting engaged in Raleigh is the start of a beautiful journey. By taking these steps, you will be well-prepared to embark on your wedding planning adventure while enjoying all that this wonderful city has to offer. If you want some help, contact us. Cheers to your love and the exciting days to come!

Photos by Alyssa Hope Photography. Jewelry from Diamonds Direct. Written by Sharon Windsor.