Now that you're engaged, the time has come to start planning. Even though you may have months, or years, until the big day, the sooner you start the better. If you're not sure what the first steps are, and what can wait until later, take a look at the do's and don'ts of wedding planning immediately after your engagement. Do Secure a Venue Most wedding venues book well advance. This means you need to secure your dream event space or banquet facility as soon as you choose a date. If you don't already have a place in mind: Visit several venues . An in-person visit allows you to make comparisons. While you might not get the chance to see each venue in its full wedding glory, you can get an idea of what to expect. You can also talk to the facility staff about what they offer. Make comparisons . After you visit a few different venues, you need to make comparisons. If you can’t choose a clear winner, create a pros and cons list for each wedding space. Reach out to each venue's staff with any additional questions before you make a final decision. Consider location . Is the reception venue near the ceremony's location? Along with the ceremony-to-reception factor, proximity to your home or to the guests' hotel are also issues to think about. If you don't already have a budget and size idea in mind, now is the time to make some decisions. A venue that puts you well above your expected budget or won't hold the entire wedding party won't work for you. Read on for more information on budgets and size considerations. Don't Skip the Budgeting Step Are you tempted to ignore finances in favor of the wedding of your dreams? Couples with financial limitations can still plan a fairytale day. There are weddings that fit every type of budget. The key to financial planning is to set realistic spending caps. Wh en planning you budget: Consider future financial goals . If you plan to buy a house after you get married, want to start a family soon, or have other financial goals to meet in the near future, you may need to adjust your wedding budget. Consider size . A larger wedding typically requires a larger budget. If you want to invite hundreds of guests, you may need to figure out what you can skip and save on. This may mean choosing a lower-priced venue or saving on a dress. Consider other help . Will your parents or your soon-to-be spouse's parents help with the finances? If someone else will help you financially, you can set a higher budget. With a budget in hand and a venue set, you can move on to the next steps. Before you get carried away immediately after the engagement, stick to the basics—such as announcing your engagement. Do Announce the Event You're overjoyed about your upcoming nuptials. Now that you're officially engaged, you can announce the wedding to the world—or at least to your close friends and family. When you announce the engagement: Decide who you need to share the news with . Will your parents feel left out if you announce the engagement to your friends first? If you plan to tell individual people, consider who needs to hear the news first. Create a save the date . If you secure a venue before you share the news, make save the dates to give your wedding guests plenty of planning time. Throw a party . If you have the budget for an additional party, plan an engagement celebration. This is an easy, and festive, way to announce your news. After you budget, visit venues, and make your announcement, you can get specific and turn to the other details. The next steps will include dress shopping, choosing a wedding party, planning seating charts, creating your reception menu, and more. Do you need a venue for your wedding? Contact Chez Shari for more information.

Marriage joins more than just you and your spouse-to-be. The bond creates a new family and your kids deserve a special place in the ceremony and reception. If you have children, take a look at the top tips for including them in this memory-making event. Include Your Child from the Start While the adults need to make the major decisions, your children should feel like they have a stake in the wedding planning. The degree to which your child helps depends on their age. But in general, children can help to: Choose the venue . Again, this major choice is up to you and your fiancé. But you can bring your child with you to possible venues. Ask them for their opinion or have them help to make a list of the pros and cons of each possibility. Choose a theme/colors . If you plan to have a specific theme or wedding colors, ask for your child's input (within reason). While a Disney theme or dayglo orange and pink may not find a place in the actual wedding, your child should like they can contribute ideas. Choose the menu . Are your children the only younger guests at the wedding? If not, ask them to help you plan a children's menu. Choose the activities . Will you have special children's activities during the reception? Your kids can help to plan these or offer family-friendly ideas. Now that your child has a hand in the planning process, the time has come to move on to the wedding itself. Read on for more information on ways to include your child in the events leading up to your nuptials and the big day. Have a Family Pre-Wedding Party You’ll likely host plenty of events leading up to your wedding. You have an engagement party, shower, and bachelor/bachelorette bash. Even though your child may come to some of these pre-wedding parties, none of the events were specially for your children. Add one more party to the celebration—just for your kids. If you're not sure what to plan, consider: A family shower . Instead of a girls-only shower, add everyone to the mix. You can choose this option in addition to your traditional shower too. But don't ask guests to bring gifts to both. A pre-wedding picnic . Have a backyard bash. This is an inexpensive, and easy, way to include everyone in the family. A kids-only party . Throw a new family party with a complete kid focus. Invite your child's friends, children in the family (such as cousins), or other children who will also attend the wedding. Discuss your party plans with your child. They may have ideas you haven't thought of or have a specific guest list in mind. Select a Strategy for the Wedding After the parties are over. The time has come time to plan your child's role in the wedding. How will you include your child in the ceremony or the reception? Popular ideas include: Child-sized vows. Along with the vows you make to each other, your new spouse can also make vows/promises to your child. Special exchange. You get a ring. But what does your child get? Choose a special token of your family's love to give your child during the ceremony or at the reception. Add to the cake. The traditional bride and groom cake toppers don't have to apply here. Add your children to mix and include them in the cake décor. Parent-child dance. After the first couple's dance, have a special dance for you, your child, and your new spouse. Continue to include your child in the wedding activities after the reception ends with a family-moon vacation. This can follow a traditional honeymoon or take the place of it. Do you need a wedding venue? Contact Chez Shari Wedding & Conference Center for more information.