Must Have Tips for Newly Engaged Montreal Couples
SO YOU JUST GOT ENGAGED
TIPS FOR NEWLY ENGAGED MONTREAL COUPLES
If you’re one of the many Montreal couples who got engaged over the 2019 holiday season, congratulations! Getting engaged to your soulmate is a moment that should be celebrated, and we hope you are soaking it all in.
However, once the initial rush of excitement subsides ever so slightly, a little bit of anxiety may begin to take its place. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal. As your brain starts to imagine all the things you need to do in order to pull off your dream wedding, you may begin to feel a little overwhelmed.
Fret not, with over 10 years experience working as a Montreal wedding photographer, we know a thing or two about pulling off a great wedding.
With that in mind, here are our top to-dos once he finally pops the question.
TAKE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELVES
DON’T RUSH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF YOUR ENGAGEMENT
Social media has become part of our lives, and nobody will blame you for heading over to Facebook or Instagram to announcement your engagement the second it happens. However, we recommend couples delay sharing the big news for a least a few hours. Try to stay in your engagement bubble for as long as you can. This moment is about you and your partner. Enjoy it. Trust us, you will be glad that you did!
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS
TIME TO LET EVERYONE IN ON YOUR BIG SECRET
Ok, so you’re ready to tell the world. But before you go posting that engagement ring shot on Instagram, tell your mom and dad first. Yes, there’s a hierarchy to making such a life changing announcement! Your parent’s don’t want to find out you’re engaged after some girl you went to middle school with.
As soon as you’re ready to start telling anyone, family should definitely come first. Next up, you’re close friends (typically those who will be in your bridal party). Once your inner circle knows, you’re free to share your excitement on social media. Better start getting those hashtags ready!
GET YOUR RING SIZED
FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT
Before proposing your fiancé knew your ring size and thought he got the right fit. Unfortunately, once he slid it on your finger it was a little loose (or maybe it was a bit tight). Don’t worry, it happens. Just take it back to the jeweller where he bought the ring and they should resize it for free.
We know, the last thing you want to do is take off that diamond, but you don’t want your engagement ring to be uncomfortable to wear. So send it off as soon as you can, and before you know it you’ll never have to be without it again!
TALK ABOUT A WEDDING TIMELINE
EVERYONE’S ENGAGEMENTS ARE DIFFERENT LENGHTS
The moment you get engaged you’ll begin to be bombarded with the “have you picked a date yet” questions. Don’t worry, you’re not really expected to have an answer just yet. However, in the days and weeks that follow your big announcement, you and your fiancé should get on the same page with regards to the wedding timeline.
Do you plan on getting married within the calendar year? Or perhaps you want to wait a few years? While your timeline can be as short or as long as you desire, it’s important that you and your partner have a clear and unified vision.
HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT WEDDING DATE
CHOOSING A DATE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PLANNING DECISIONS
Picking a wedding date for your Montreal wedding might seem easy, but it will take a little (or a lot) of research before you find the perfect day to say “I do”.
You will want to find a date that will give you enough time to comfortably plan your wedding, without getting too stressed. While you can take as much time as you need, 8-12 months is what’s most common.
You will also want to determine if you want a summer, spring, fall, or winter wedding. If you have a specific time of year in mind, that will limit the number of available dates.
If there’s a venue you’ve always wanted to get married in, check their availability before setting a date. However, if you’re open to any venue, then you can do things in reverse. Set a date and then start your venue hunt!
Lastly, when trying to find the perfect day to walk down the aisle, there are some dates you may wish to avoid. Mark those off with an “X” on the calendar and work around them. The last thing you want is to fall in love with a day, only to realize 2 of your bridesmaids are out of town that weekend.
FIND A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AND TAKE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
MONTREAL’S HIGHEST RATED WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
So many Montreal couples who contact us about photographing their wedding initially have little interest in an engagement photoshoot. However, engagement session are incredibly important, and opting to not do one might end up being a regret.
Engagement photos are not only a wonderful opportunity to get to know your wedding photographer, but they’re also a great way to practice getting your photos taken professionally before your wedding day. For most people, their wedding day is the first time in their lives that they get photos taken of themselves by a professional photographer. While you can absolutely have stunning wedding photos without getting engagement photos, a little practice never hurt anyone.
From a practical perspective, engagement sessions are also the perfect opportunity to test out hair and makeup ideas you are considering for your big day. And for all those bearded men out there, we don’t recommend shaving it all off for the first time on your wedding day. Why not give that clean shaven look a trial run?
Ultimately, even if you’re not the type of couple who will post dozens of lovey dovey engagement pictures to Facebook, e-shoots provide you with a wonderful memory of a precious moment in you and your partner’s lives. And besides, many Montreal wedding photographers, including Mandy & Randy Weddings, include engagement shoots for free in their wedding packages!
SET A WEDDING DATE
HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT WEDDING DAY FOR YOU
Ok, so you found your perfect photographer, congratulations! Now it’s time to book the rest of your wedding vendors. We’re talking DJ’s, hair and makeup, flowers and catering.
However, before booking any vendor, be sure to follow these 3 steps.
Do your personalities mesh well together?
You'll be entrusting these vendors with a very important job, therefore it's crucial that you’re comfortable around them. While the DJ doesn’t have to be your best friend, you’re going to want to make sure you enjoy their company. Remember, you'll be interacting with them on what will likely be one of the more emotional days of your life, so you want someone who will be able to put you at ease, make you smile and not stress you out.
Ask for client referrals.
The importance of bridal testimonials cannot be overlooked. A vendor’s work could be incredible, but without positive reviews, you should be a little apprehensive about booking them for your wedding. If there are no reviews listed on a vendors website, be sure to ask them for the contact information of recent clients who can vouch for their services.
Get everything they are offering down in writing.
Being on the same page as your vendors cannot be understated. What you might think was clear over the phone could turn into a misunderstanding that could negatively impact your wedding day. Luckily, most professional wedding vendors itemize everything for you in your contract. However, if anything is ever unclear, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification . This is your wedding day, and it should unfold exactly as you envisioned it.
Over the years we have had the pleasure of working with some of the best wedding vendors in Montreal. We stand by the quality of their work, their attention to detail and their customer service oriented approach to doing business. Working with any of these individuals will make your wedding planning easier in a considerable way.
Please click here to review our preferred vendors list.
RELAX
BE SURE TO TAKE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELVES
As Montreal wedding photographers who shoot upwards of 30 weddings a year, we know first hand how insanely stressful planning a wedding can be. So be sure to slow things down and take some time for yourselves. If during the planning stages you need a day, weekend or even a week without any wedding talk, give yourself that time.
Pulling off the perfect wedding does take a lot of work, but it should never get to a point where it’s negatively impacting your health or well being.
Mandy & Randy is a Montreal based wedding photography studio. However, we photograph weddings throughout the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. We also offer destination weddings.
For wedding photography pricing and package information, please click here.
For information on our wedding photography style, please click here.
For information on our wedding videography services, please click here.
For any other questions, please contact us.
We hope to have the pleasure of being your wedding photographer!
Best,
Mandy & Randy