Engaged! Now what....... As a wedding venue owner of a Colorado premiere wedding venue called Antler Ridge Weddings, located on the Western Slope of Colorado ,we’ve put together a checklist of 15 essential tasks to consider doing within the first 25 days after your wedding engagement.
Celebrate Your Wedding Engagement
Take a moment to celebrate before jumping into planning all the exciting details of your upcoming engagement. Whether it’s a cozy dinner with family or an energetic night out with friends. Sharing your happiness is important and exciting so raise a toast with loved ones and celebrate the news....do something to celebrate! Consider hosting a small engagement party check out our blog at www.antlerridgeweddings/blog.on how to have an engagement party, who to invite and the pros and cons of having an engagement party. The Knot found that 37% of couples celebrate their engagement with a gathering of some sort.
Share the News with your Besties, Friends and Family
Deciding on how you want to announce your wedding engagement can be fun and a time to show off your personalities. Is there an etiquette for engagement announcements? Most often you tell your closest family and friends before shouting it out to the world or posting on social media. After you have told everyone in your inner circle and any friends who would be offended if they found out online. It is time to shout it out!!! Now , the fun begins.... maybe you will choose showing off your ring on social media , use footage of your proposal , or feature your pet in you engagement announcement. However you decide to announce your engagement this is time to be creative.
Set a wedding Date
Start picking a date for your wedding. Consider which season is your favorite? If you are considering a Colorado Wedding then June thru October is basically the Peak Wedding Season. Discussing your preferences can provide a clear direction for wedding planning. Knowing your vibe will be helpful in the beginning planning. June Weddings in Colorado are lush and green and temperatures are mild. September and October Colorado weddings are popular wedding months and are known as fall months when the folliage begins to turn and temperatures begin to cool. The summer months are great for outdoor weddings and a perfect time to have an al fresco dining expereience.
Creating a Wedding Budget is Essential
Before getting deep into the wedding planning, establish a realistic budget. Consider how much you can spend on your wedding day. Many couples find that creating a detailed budget makes it easier to make decisions about venues, catering, and decor. According to one survey, the average couple spends approximately $34,000 on their wedding. OF course, venues have options called ad ons that can make your wedding more in the luxury range and there is also packages that will help make your wedding more budget friendly by choosing a sunday wedding or mid-week wedding package. Read our blog, On Why Not? Have a Wednesday Wedding. www.antlerridgeweddings/blog
Decide the Vibe of you Dream Wedding
Think about what kind of wedding you have always dreamed of having. Do you prefer an elegant indoor affair or a beautiful outdoor ceremony? Rustic elegant, tradition or non traditional. Do you want a venue that offers your guest an experience? Consider what your feel is. How important is a bridal suite? Read our blog on How important is a Bridal Suite?www.antlerridgeweddings/blog . Discussing your dreams early can help dictate your decisions throughout the planning process. For example, if you envision a rustic wedding, consider venues such as barns or vineyards.
Begin a Wedding Binder or Digital Folder
Organize your ideas, inspiration, and plans by creating a wedding binder or a digital folder. This will become your go-to spot for all wedding-related information. You can include photos, quotes from vendors, and notes from meetings. Keeping everything in one place can reduce stress later on. As a wedding venue owner, I would highly reccomend having a folder. Saves you time and saves us time.
Create a Wedding Guest List
Begin drafting a preliminary guest list. Decide who do you want to invite to share your special day? Knowing your headcount helps with choosing avenue and catering options. Start by listing key family members and close friends before expanding outward. Then, decide if your wedding will be an adult only wedding or will children be included.
Start Researching Wedding Venues
Once you have your vision and your vibe you can start to pick venues that match that vision. Think about the location, capacity, and available . Visiting venues early allows you to compare choices and find the perfect fit. For instance, many couples are drawn to venues that offer both indoor and outdoor spaces, providing flexibility in case of weather changes.
Choose Your Wedding Party
Think about who you want to include as part of your wedding party. This may consist of bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other important roles. Discuss your ideas with them to gauge their excitement and support. Having a solid support system is vital during the planning stages.
Start Researching WeddingVendors
Remember choosing your venue comes first. Then, begin looking into caterers, photographers, florists, and entertainment options. Reading reviews and gathering recommendations can help you find the right fit for your wedding vision. Start early so you can save time and prevent stress as your wedding date approaches. The earlier you start the more availability there will be. You will be able to get the venue and the top vendors in your area. Top wedding venues and vendors fill up fast!
Set Up a Wedding Website
Create a wedding website for sharing details with guests. Many wedding venues will have a guest portal where all the details of your wedding can be found. It will also include details such as parking, accomodations near by , registry links etc. It’s also a creative way to document your journey and to keep your guest informed.
Plan your Wedding Engagement Photos
Engagement photos are a lovely way to capture your love story. Research photographers and discuss ideas you have for the shoot. Choose a location that both of you love , whether it’s the spot of your first date or the top of the San Juan Mountains.
13. Begin a Wedding Registry
Begin thinking about your wedding registry. What do you need for your new life together? Creating a list early and choose items that reflect your tastes. Many couples find that a well-planned registry simplifies gift-giving for guests and helps them choose meaningful items. Consider having a honeymoon fund instead of gifts.
Discuss Honeymoon Options
Planning your wedding should be the first thing to do but remember to discuss honeymoon destinations. Consider places you’ve always wanted to visit or activities you both enjoy. Planning this in advance gives you something exciting to look forward to after all the wedding festivities. A survey showed that about 40% of couples allocate an average of $5,000 for their honeymoon. Check out our blog on Honeymoon destinations with in 60 minutes of Antler Ridge weddings.
Begin your Communication Process
Throughout this process, prioritize communication. Regularly check in about planning decisions, emotions, and expectations. Open conversations can significantly strengthen your relationship as you start on this new journey together. Don't forget to take time for each other.
As you begin this journey of getting engaged, announcing your engagement, planning your wedding and discussing your honeymoon , we at Antler Ridge Weddings hope you have found the 15 things to do in the first 25 days helpful. If you are looking for a natural setting. with a rustic elegant feel , spacious lawns and beautiful barn built just for weddings please scedule a tour. We can't wait to meet you!
If you just got engaged....... Remember Barns are a unique trend for 2025. We at Antler Ridge have many unique wedding trends such as our bridal suite that offers a last "Girlfriend" get together package. Check out our weekend package that also allows you and your fiancé (husband) to stay on the property the night of your wedding . The wedding Venue offers privacy with mountain views and city lights. Why is it a great Colorado destination wedding venue ? Location, Location, Location. Montrose has the second largest airport in Colorado The venue has many hotels , restaurants, golf clubs and every outdoor activity you can think of near by. We guarantee your guest will love our area and will talk about your wedding and the location for years to come. So, If you are a bride looking for a Colorado mountain wedding, a Colorado Premiere Barn Wedding Venue, a Colorado Destination Wedding Venue that has weekend wedding packages, micro wedding packages, Friday or Saturday packages please follow us on instagram and tik tok. To schedule a tour contact us now at www.antlerridgeweddings/contact.
Antler Ridge Weddings is located on the Western Slope 60 minutes from Grand Junction and 60 minutes from Telluride Colorado. We are a locally owned ranch wedding venue and are dedicated to using our platform to support locally owned wedding venues across the United States. In every blog we write, we will include wonderful wedding venues who use their articles to support fellow locally owned wedding venues.
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