Planning Basics: Welcome

Congratulations, you're engaged! You and your fiancé (isn't it cool just to say it?) are probably chomping at the bit to start planning your wedding, and it may be hard to figure out where to start! No worries -- The Knot team is here to help you plan our way, every step of the way. Sure, people will try to convince you it's all about guest lists and budgets -- and that's definitely a big part of it. But not just yet…When deciding on a location, have a season and a few potential dates in mind but be flexible, since the most desirable sites book up early.

Step 1: Check out wedding gowns.
What better way to jump in than by browsing our gallery of over 20,000 pictures of gorgeous wedding gowns!

Step 2: Get inspired.
Not yet ready for reality? Stick with the fun stuff -- think about colors you like, the seasons that make sense for your celebration, and any must-haves you'll want to incorporate. Then decide on your location, and book it! Have a season and a few potential dates in mind but be flexible, since the most desirable locations book up early.

Step 3: Get started.
Next, get down to the nitty-gritty. (Don't worry, go back to the gowns whenever you like…)

Wedding Day Timeline & Checklist
Create a personalized month-by-month to-do list by entering your wedding date (enter an estimated date if you don't know exactly when). Meeting with your florist after work next month? Add it to your checklist so you don't forget. Appointments are going to start to pile up!

Wedding Budget
Come up with your number and plug it in. Based on industry-wide averages, we'll give you a breakdown of what percentage of your budget you can expect to spend where. Track your payments, add in your own items, and see how much money you have left.

Step 4: Book it!
Congrats! Now you have a real, live wedding date! Go back and update your approximate wedding date in your profile if you haven't already. Here's where the fun really begins: With your fabulously chic vision in mind, bring your wedding to life. Follow the advice in these getting started links to choose the right vendor and to get the right contract:

Officiates
Florists
Cakes
Entertainment
Photography
Videography
Invitations

Step 5: Guests and Etiquette
Sure, this day is all about the two of you, but it's also all about the people who'll come to celebrate with you.

Guest List Manager
Use our Guest List Manager to keep track of your list (import addresses right from your address book), to record gifts you get, and note when you've sent thank-you notes.

Personal Wedding Web Page
Build a one-stop wedding web page to keep guests up-to-date on all the details of your wedding.

 

Send mail to KeysDAN@keysdan.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 1986-2012 KeysDAN Enterprises, Inc