It's Engagement Season

It’s officially Engagement Season and so many are asking where to start… our opinion:

The number one most important thing to book first is your venue! This will confirm so many important things for you like the date (HUGE important detail for vendors), capacity, and if you have to stick to a specific list of recommended vendors.

But that’s just our opinion. If you still need help deciding which planning order is best for you,  www.weddingwire.com put a list of scenarios together to help you determine your priorities. 

Option #1: Set a Specific Date First
If you and your spouse (or your families) have super-busy work schedules or if you’re set on marrying on a specific date, you may want to nail down a specific wedding date before starting your venue search. The biggest downside of this plan is that you’ll have a LIMITED selection of venues to choose from (unless you’re planning really far, like years, in advance). You’ll have to be pretty flexible with your venue style (and perhaps your budget as well), as there may only be a few locations in your area that are available on your specific date 

Option #2: Find a Dream Venue or Vendor First
You may be set on having your wedding at a particular venue , or hiring a specific photographer or other vendor for your wedding. If you have a flexible schedule, you can choose your wedding date based on your dream venue or vendor’s availability. If your vendor-or venue-of-choice is in-demand, you may have a limited list of dates to choose from or have a longer engagement period than you might have anticipated. You’ll also have to tailor your budget and guest list to accommodate your dream venue or vendor. But if you’re truly committed to a particular space or wedding pro, these compromises will be worth it 

Option #3: Choose a Date Range First
This may be your safest bet, and our recommendation for how to move forward. Sit down with a calendar and choose a few dates  that work for you and your families, keeping in mind potential conflicts, major events, work schedules, holidays, and the like. Remember, while Saturday is the most popular day of the week for weddings, Friday and Sunday weddings can be more budget-friendly—so include those on your list if you can. By choosing a date range rather than a specific single date, you can find a venue that works with your style, budget, and schedule, without making too many additional compromises.

And to that, we will add that there are only 52 weekends in a year. Do not procrastinate in venue selection. Strawberry Manor only hosts one wedding per day, our brides do not share their wedding day.

Keep an open mind and consider hosting your wedding on a Friday or a Sunday. Your family, best friends, and most loved ones WILL take off of work. They WILL be there to celebrate the beginning of your future. No one will complain about leaving the office a little early that day, I promise!!

Get your tour scheduled sooner than later.