The holidays have snuck up on us, which means engagement season is in full swing! Many couples will be getting engaged within the next few weeks and early into the new year. We are so ready and excited for them! The time between getting engaged and getting married is important and we want to help you make the most of it. As professional wedding planners, we feel as though there are a few important things to do and remember when planning your Oregon wedding day. 

When the excitement of the engagement settles down a bit, it’s time to get started on the wedding plans. Whether you’re eloping or hosting a grand party, these tips and tricks are going to make wedding planning a breeze. Trust us, you’re going to want to check these tips and tricks off of your list! Here are 10 things that you should do now that you’re planning an Oregon wedding in 2023. 

The First Thing Couples Should Do

Enjoy The Moment

A lot goes into planning your wedding, we get it! Wedding planning is time-consuming and can be stressful, but that shouldn’t be any reason to ignore the exciting fact that you’re engaged. Take this time to celebrate your engagement. This is a special time and deserves just as much love and attention as your wedding day does. 

Be present and enjoy the moment, it’s going to fly by faster than you can imagine. Be sure to celebrate all the excitement that comes with being engaged, like overusing the word fiancé and posting endless engagement photos. Here’s your full permission slip to soak it all in!

Talk To Your Fiance

You and your partner have agreed to get married, but have you discussed the details of the day? Do you know where your partner wants to say I Do or what elements of the wedding day are most important to them? Your family members and friends will give you their input, but at the end of the day make sure you and your fiancé are making the final calls. 

Your wedding is all about you and the love you two share, so make sure your special day reflects that! Set realistic goals and outline the wedding details that mean the most to you. Remember, adjustments can always be made along the way but have a starting point that you both are comfortable with.

Set A Preliminary Budget

Let’s steer clear of sticker shock and set a preliminary wedding budget right away. Starting out the wedding planning process with a set range in mind is a great way to ensure you are looking at vendors within your budget. 

When beginning your search, refer back to your general budget and note the amount you’re willing to invest in each vendor. Your caterer, venue, and photographer are likely to take up the biggest chunk of your budget so choose wisely! There are incredible wedding vendors to choose from, no matter what your budget may be. 

Narrow Down Your Date or Season

Choosing a wedding date can be tricky–especially if you’re set on a Saturday–so make sure you determine your wedding date or season ASAP. We recommend prioritizing your venue, location, and the season over a specific wedding date itself. Finding a venue can be tough, especially with this wedding boom we’re experiencing! However, if a specific date is important to you start reaching out to venues immediately and see who still has the date open. This may be a good way to narrow down your selections.

Another important element to consider is the season in which you’re getting married. In Oregon, it may be more appealing to hold your wedding in the spring or fall. Be sure you research the location you’ve chosen, and plan a prior visit during the time of year you’ll be getting married. This will give you a good idea of what the space will look and feel like on the big day.

The Next Thing You Should Do

Create Your Guest List

Before we start booking vendors let’s narrow down the guest list. Any vendor you book is going to ask you three main questions: When is your wedding? How many people are you expecting? And, what is your budget? You’ve already determined when your wedding will be and how much you’re willing to spend, so let’s figure out that estimated guest count! 

Grab your partner (and maybe a glass of wine) and sit down with your spreadsheet. Together, you’ll want to go through who you have to invite to the wedding and who you could do without. Once you have your estimated guest count you’ll be able to gauge what you’ll be spending at the end of the day. As you’re finalizing your guest list, double-check the maximum guest count enforced by the venues you’re interested in, this will be helpful for narrowing down your wedding venue list.

Find Your Wedding Venue

Before booking any of your other vendors, you’ll first need to choose a wedding venue. Once you’ve made some initial decisions it’s time to start scouting different venues in town! Schedule tours and be sure to ask plenty of questions–they’re ready for them! Finding the perfect venue for your Oregon wedding can feel like a daunting task, as there are many options. But don’t worry, your perfect wedding venue is out there. Think of wedding venue shopping like a first date! Over time you’ll fall in love, but choose the location that feels right the second you step foot on site. 

Book Your Wedding Photographer

Finding your dream photographer is the second most important vendor to check off the list. Photographers (like wedding venues) often book a year in advance, if not more. When searching for photographers be sure to view full wedding galleries from their portfolio, ask questions and get to know them! Your photographer is going to be spending a lot of time with you on your wedding day, let’s make sure the relationship feels like a perfect fit.

When choosing a photographer, you’ll want someone who is experienced in documenting weddings and who’s editing style fits your preference. All photographers have slightly different styles–some edit their photos extremely dark and moody while others are more light, airy, or true to color. Whatever your vision is, you’ll be able to find a wedding photographer who is perfect.

Gather Wedding Inspiration

Let’s hop on Pinterest and get inspired! Finding wedding inspiration will not only get you excited for the big day but help you as you plan out every detail. If you’re not finding what you’re looking for on Pinterest, try Instagram and TikTok. Many vendors are starting to use these platforms to market their products and services, you may find just what you’re looking for!

Advice From An Oregon Wedding Planner

Hire Union Event Co.

Hiring a wedding planner will not only make your experience so much easier and more enjoyable, but it will guarantee that you have a wedding day to remember! If you’re newly engaged and looking to get married in Oregon we would love to work with you. Through our professional experience, you’ll be getting top-notch attention and assistance through the planning process and wedding day.

With Union Event Co. you’ll have a seamless wedding planning process from start to finish. Allow us to connect you with some of the best vendors in the business and share our wedding secrets with you! Planning weddings is our passion and we guarantee your planning experience is going to be just as enjoyable as the wedding day itself. 

Celebrate Again!

The planning process can (and should) be an experience to enjoy and celebrate. Leading up to the moment you say I Do, all we want is for you to have the time of your life. Take moments to remember why you’re planning a big event with lists of to do’s: to celebrate your marriage with your partner, friends and family! Don’t stress. Leave the timeline and vendor questions to us, it’s time for you to soak up all the joy and bliss. On your wedding day, make sure you really tune into what is going on. Photos are great but nothing will compare to the memories you make on this night. Trust that everything is going according to plan, and enjoy that champagne! 

The wedding planning process is exciting and we know you’re ready to jump right in. Before diving head first into wedding mode, make sure you are enjoying the moment. The to-do list will be here when you’re ready but you’re only engaged once! By following these 10 steps, you’ll have the best Oregon wedding planning experience possible. If you’re ready to get started send us an inquiry, we can’t wait to help you bring all of your wedding dreams to life!