i know i'm not a 'regular' poster, but i just want to share that i'm engaged!!!! and i'm so excited :) he proposed at a cafe in venice :)
so my question to you ladies is how the hell did you start planning a wedding? what did you do first? (i'm definitely taking my time reveling in being engaged) :)
Now on to the really fun part - planning! The first thing I did was went to theknot.com and printed out its checklist and timeline. It has EVERYTHING you need on it.
I think the most important things to do soon is:
1. decide when you want to get married
2. find a ceremony/reception spot
Everything seems to fall into place after that - IMO, the ceremony/reception spot sets to tone for the rest of your wedding (beach? city? backyard?) and everything flows from there, like your dress, invites, food, number of people you can invite.
Also, places get booked 6-12 months in advance, so if you pick a place sooner, chances are you'll have a better selection of dates.
i have to agree with jj. pick a date and then pick and secure a location. if you look at places online or see them in bridal magazines you can call most places and have them send you all of their information by mail with price lists and floor plans and all.
secondly i would say to go to barnes and noble or borders or ny big book store and find their wedding planning books. you can get a book that has descriptions of every wedding term and etiquette, and invitations things about dresses and rsvp's, wedding cakes and that leaves you space and pages to write in your details and keep your self organized and makes a great keepsake. i bought one and it was a great help to me.
yay! congrats! (and how romantic is your fiance!?)
theknot.com is definitely a great resource...also every issue of Martha Stewart Weddings has these tear-out planning pages with timelines and whatnot. i bought a couple of books, but so much of the info out there repeats itself, i didn't really need them (but i was kind of obsessed, and liked having them anyway). i used a big 3-ring binder to stay organized, save stuff i tore out of mags (pics for inspiration, etc.), and keep any contracts and info given to me by my vendors. it worked pretty well.
congratulations again! getting engaged is so exciting!
ETA two more things: gorgeous ring! kind of similar to mine actually, so i naturally love it!
and pshaw to you not being a "regular" poster...i recognize you! and i'm happy to hear about your wedding plans!