So you’re engaged - what next?
Photography: Benjamin Wheeler
Congratulations, you’re engaged! This is happening!
So, you have the ring, you are a fiancé, you will be getting married, but are you a little clueless on getting from here to that aisle in sunny Italy? We’ve got you covered, with everything you need to do to guarantee the Italian wedding of your dreams. Exciting times people, exciting times!
The first steps to take:
- Check your nearest and dearest would be up for heading to Italy for your wedding celebration
- Perhaps you know a friend or family member or a friend of a friend who’s got married in Italy. Ask them what it was like and see if that matches your expectations. If not, reach out to one of our lovely real wedding brides; they will be sure to give you a reassuring nudge in the right direction
- Set an ideal date or month for the wedding, considering the weather, pricing differences across the season and the likely availability of your guests
- Get to know Italy's regions and see which one is best for the wedding you imagine
- Draft a rough guest list
- Set a top-line budget. Download our free budget tracker and calculate how much you have to spend overall. You could start to consider your priorities and which elements of the wedding are more important to you, which could dictate how your budget is split
- Research planners and speak to some on free intro calls. Introductory chats are a great way to get some invaluable insight and advice that can help shape your wedding and your upcoming decisions when you plan an Italian wedding
- Choose your bridal party
- Go next level on your planning and join our membership The Club. Packed full of videos guiding you through each and every step of wedding planning. Say ciao to your wedding bible!
Photography: Benjamin Wheeler
- Book a wedding planner. They will save you countless energy, time and money and of course ensure that your dream wedding comes to life in every way.
- Book your venue. Your planner will help you to find your venue, shortlist and arrange an itinerary for your trip to pick your venue. Once chosen, you’ll sign a contract and seal the deal.
- Send save the dates! Make sure your guests have the wedding of the year firmly in their diaries and can plan annual leave and travel in advance.
- Hold or book accommodation for guests. If your venue doesn’t have accommodation for all guests you may need to hold other locations as contingency. You can recommend these to guests through your invite or wedding website.
- Book your photographer and videographer. Often the next priority, most sought after photographers and videographers get booked up 18-24 months in advance.
Want to know what happens at the next planning stage, as you count down the months until your epic wedding day! Get your hands on The Italian Wedding Tracker, which is available to download from our Shop or comes free with The Club’s membership. This baby will have your back through it all!
Written by Lucy White, Founder of La Lista & Wiskow & White, with over 7 years and 200 weddings worth of experience.
