You're engaged! Congratulations! Now it's time to start planning the wedding of your dreams. While you might be tempted to put off some of the early planning tasks, there are actually a few things that are best to get out of the way early on. This will help you avoid any last-minute scrambling and help ensure that your big day goes off without a hitch. So what should you do first?

1. Pick a date (or at least narrow it down to a season).

The earlier you can zero in on a date, the better. This will make it easier to book your venue, send save-the-dates, and lock in other important vendors. If you're flexible on the exact date, try to at least pick a season so that you have a general idea of what kind of weather to expect.

2. Set a budget (and figure out who's paying for what).

Weddings can be expensive, so it's important to have a good handle on your budget from the start. Figure out how much you're comfortable spending and start looking at ways to cut costs where possible. It's also important to figure out who will be footing the bill for different aspects of the wedding. Will your parents be pitching in? Do you have generous friends or family members who want to help out? Knowing this in advance will make it easier to make decisions down the road.

3. Start gathering addresses (or create a guest list).

If you're sending save-the-dates, you'll need addresses for all your guests. Even if you're not sending them quite yet, it's helpful to start gathering addresses or creating a guest list so that you have an idea of how many people you'll be inviting. This will come in handy when it's time to book your venue and catering services.

4. Choose your wedding party.

Who will stand by your side on your big day? These are typically close friends or family members who you know you can count on—so choose carefully! Once you've made your selections, reach out to those individuals as soon as possible to let them know that they've been chosen (trust us, they'll be just as excited as you are!). Choosing your wedding party and letting them know early on what is expected of them will help give those important people in your life a little extra time to plan and budget for your big day.

There's no need to wait until everything is perfect to start planning your dream wedding—the sooner you get started, the better! Use this checklist to help guide your early planning and take care of some of the most important tasks right off the bat. From setting a budget to choosing your wedding party, getting these things done early will help ensure that your big day is everything you've ever wanted it to be.

Vendors

Coordinator: @sd_event_planning

Florist: Vicky Rodriguez | @vickysfloraldesign

Cake & Cookie: Peggy Liao | @peggyliaocake

Makeup and Hair: Peggy Lei

Wedding Gown: @grace_loves_lace

Groom's suit: @zara

Photographer: Katie Fisher | @kfisherphotos

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