We’re halfway through the week and I couldn’t be more excited about that! Speaking of excited, today I’m sharing my first wedding Wednesday post with you all! I have been so overwhelmed with the responses and comments from you all since our engagement last month! You all have been so kind & so excited about our new adventure and that makes my heart so happy! Many of you told me you wanted to see details of our wedding, so I’m excited to bring this new element to Life With Emily.
I plan on posting a Wedding Wednesday post once or twice a month about our wedding planning process. Of course, I have quite a few ideas in mind and a few things I definitely want to keep a secret until the big day, but in the mean time, if you have any post ideas or suggestions PLEASE let me know. I want y’all to enjoy this as much as I do! 
We’ve been engaged exactly one month now and it seems like we’re making quite a bit of progress on everything so far! It was nice to get engaged right before the holidays because we were able to spend the next few weeks celebrating with friends and family who came into town! That’s not to say it also didn’t add a little stress into the mix, but for the most part it was spent taking in the moment with everyone we love! 
In the weeks since we got engaged, I did all of the girly things with my friends… I got my first wedding magazine (followed by a lot from friends/family/brands), got The Mrs. Box for my ring and played for hours on Pinterest glancing at wedding details; but we have also gotten a decent amount done in the month we’ve been engaged, too! 
WHAT WE’VE DONE SO FAR:
- We picked a date!!! We both really wanted a fall wedding and we settled on a Saturday in October of this year! We have 10 months to plan and I am so excited for it all.
- We have a venue! I will be 100% honest and say (so far) this has been the most stressful part of wedding planning. Neither of us were set on a date, we just knew we wanted a fall wedding. I’m really glad neither of us had our heart set on a date because dates go fast and what’s available one moment is gone the next. Going into it there were two places I really wanted to tour. I made a list of venues that I found on The Knot and these were on my “top venues” list. I had this idea of what I thought I wanted, but in the end, neither worked out. I’ll share a bit more in another Wedding Wednesday post about what to ask, etc. when looking for a venue! The venue we ended up with is a total d-r-e-a-m and it’s 110% us and our style! So far the staff have been incredibly accommodating and have been able to answer any and all questions we have had! I feel so confident in them handling our special day.
- We’ve taken care of our food for the cocktail hour and reception as well as the bar!
- We’ve picked our bridesmaids and groomsmen! That part was pretty easy, of course! But it was nice to be able to cross it off of our list haha 🙂 I plan on asking my bridesmaids in the next two weeks, so I’ll be sure to share how I decided to ask my bridesmaids in a Wedding Wednesday post. Nick got his best man a really nice bottle of bourbon and asked him with that (it was pretty casual with the guys, haha)!
- We hired a band! This was something Nick and I really wanted and we found a great local band that had a solid song list for the night. We cannot wait to dance the night away with them. We also found them through The Knot’s vendor search.
- We have (almost) finalized the guest list! A few days after we got engaged we came up with a preliminary list of people and divided them between our family, our friends, and our family friends. I anticipated this being a difficult process, but it was surprisingly easier than I thought. We’ve almost settled on a final number of guests and that’s a huge relief.
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON:
- Photographer! I’m very particular and I’ve been in contact with quite a few… it just comes down to budget, style, and finding one we “mesh” well with! I want everything to feel easy and come naturally on our wedding day! I’m setting up a few consultations next week and hope to have one picked out by the end of the week!
- Registering! Since we will have lived together for over a year by the time we get married, there’s not much that we actually “need” but we are both excited to register for more updated pieces for our home. I plan on doing a more detailed post on this!
- Planning…. well, everything! There is a laundry list of things that need to be researched, vendors that need to be booked, and tasks that need to be handled! The Knot sent me their wedding binder and it has truly been a lifesaver! There are so many details that go into planning a wedding that you don’t think about until you’re a bride. Having this guide has helped tremendously. My parents got me the Southern Weddings Binder for Christmas and it’s also been really helpful, especially pertaining to Southern traditions! I’ve been using both as guides and highly recommend both (or either)!
I’m so excited to share this journey with you all! Please let me know if there’s anything in particular you want to read about (or see!) in terms of wedding planning! Until next time… you can follow along with the hashtag #ReadyToBecomeWilkinson
Ah such a cute post!! SO EXCITING Emily!! You have made such great progress. Thanks for sharing this very special moment with us.
xo elle // https://splashofpreppy.com
Thank you for always being so sweet, Elle! Excited to share bits & pieces with you all!
Dang girl, y’all are making awesome progress! I’m a little biased but my photographer was a DREAM to work with and she captured every.single.detail. (things that only a blogger bride really cares about haha)
I’ll be back to NC in a couple weeks, we should meet up for coffee! 🙂
YES- I have been so picky when researching photographers, but it’s the only thing you have to look back on!!
Would love to grab coffee when you get back & are settled 🙂 Happy to have you back in town! XO
Congrats from a fellow Triad resident! Quick question – what is the purpose of the Mrs. Box? This is something new since I got married. I never take my ring off (other than for the gym) so I’m not sure why a fancy place to store it is needed. They are beautiful for sure, I’m just curious as to the reason for having one. Enjoy every moment of the planning, it will go by so fast!
Hi Beth, Love hearing from locals! The Mrs. Box is definitely a “newer” thing. I don’t take my ring off often (typically only when I’m cooking something that’s really messy or if I’m applying self tanner) but I am TERRIFIED of losing my ring, so it’s just a place to put it that will protect it and keep it from getting scratched in my jewelry box.
It also looks really great when photographing details of your day (like invitation suites, etc) as it allows the ring to be shown! Here’s an example: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMejrp1gFb9/
I was happy they sent me one 🙂 Excited to keep sharing our planning. XO
Look at you so ahead of the game, so excited for y’all!
xoxo
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
http://poorlittleitgirl.com
So on top of it, friend! Way excited for yall!! Loved this post…so excited to follow along!
Thanks, friend!! Can’t wait for you to be there with meeee! XOXO
So exciting Emily!! You’re doing great 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Nicole! XO
You’re like me – we got engaged in November 2016, getting married in November 2017. Most of the big details (church, venue, band, photographer & florist) were booked right before/after the holidays. Nice job getting it done fast, you’re right, availability changes so quickly! Looking forward to reading more as you continue to plan. 🙂
Hi Kate, We have a very similar timeline! I know once we get closer I will be happy I handled a lot of details early on! Best of luck planning your wedding 🙂
I cannot belie it’s already been a month! You are so prepared! I’m just so excited for yall.
I know- time seems to be FLYING by already! Crazy! XO
So on top of it!! Enjoy every second of this incredible time! It is so special! So very happy for you!
xx. Michelle
http://www.themichmix.com
Thank you so much Michelle! We are definitely soaking it in. XO
You are already so on top of everything! Being engaged really was the best, so enjoy every minute and don’t stress!
Maggie
http://www.polishedclosets.com
Thanks Maggie! We are definitely enjoying it… so far not TOO stressful, but I’m sure that’ll change ha!
Wow you’ve done so much in one month!! And your ring is stunning!
http://www.maggiealamode.com
Thank you Maggie! Nick did such a good job on it!
Aw!!! This is too cute! Planning a wedding is such an exciting time! Enjoy every minute of it, babe!
Thanks, Ashley! Having a great time planning so far.XO
Congrats girl! Can;t believe how much progress you have made in a short time!
xoxo
Sarah Lindner
http://www.thehouseofsequins.com
Thanks, lady! Everything books up so fast that I didn’t have time to wait around haha
Yay I’m so excited for all of your Wedding Wednesday posts Emily!!! It sounds like you guys have already gotten SO much accomplished, I hope I will be that organized when I get engaged! Can’t wait to read these each week!
xx Mollie
Hi Mollie,
Thank you so much! I am so excited to share it with you all 🙂 You definitely have to be organized or it gets overwhelming REALLY fast ha!
PS I’ll be in NYC mid Feb for a project, would love to get together while I’m there! XOXO
So very exciting!! You must be over the moon! Can’t wait to follow along your planning.
I am just SO excited! A little overwhelmed… but mostly excited! Thanks for stopping by!
Omg! Just the most fun, all your dreams coming true. Love watching your journey and seeing all you’ve gotten done, you’ve accomplished a lot. I’m amazed at how organized you are. It fun to see what your working on too. Congrats!
Thank you, Jessica! It feels good to have a few of the “big ticket” items done! Now the fun part starts haha
It sounds like you are on your way and have tons of plans! The Knot sounds like a great place for info, too can’t wait to use it when its my time!
Yes! Their site has been full of helpful information because let’s be honest, I was clueless at first haha
Congratulation girl !! Can’t wait to see what you are working on <3
Thanks Zenda, appreciate you stopping by! XO
That’s very exciting! My advice to you is to ENJOY THIS TIME! It’s so easy to get caught up in the planning and get overwhelmed by all of the details and while you’ll always remember your wedding, it’s not going to be as big a deal after you’re married. So enjoy the time, remember what’s most important and INVEST IN A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER!! Those are your memories much more so than the dress, flowers, etc!