First off, HUGE congratulations on your engagement!! This moment is filled with joy, hope, and a beautiful journey ahead. As a Catholic wedding photographer, and more importantly, a married man myself, I understand the significance of this time in your lives, and I’m here to guide you through those first steps in a meaningful way. Yes, I got engaged and married too (to my wonderful and amazing wife, I might add) and it is just so exciting!
1. Celebrate Your Engagement
Now that the question has been popped, take a moment to celebrate! Whether it’s an intimate dinner with loved ones or a quiet night together, savor this special time. You could even consider attending a Mass to give thanks for your relationship, inviting friends and family to join in your joy. It truly is the time immediately after engagement where you get to be still and have a slowness before the craziness begins. Find a fun and meaningful way to do this!
2. Pray Together
Prayer can be a wonderful way to strengthen your bond as you embark on this journey. Consider establishing a prayer routine or attending Mass together regularly. This shared spiritual practice can bring you closer and provide peace as you plan your wedding. Additionally, you could look up the appropriate options for your Mass readings! Grace and I began praying with ours before our weddings to help us prepare!
3. Discuss Your Vision for the Wedding
Sit down together and share your hopes for your wedding day. What elements resonate with you both? Think about how you want to incorporate your faith into the Mass and the rest of the day, which can guide your planning and photography choices. The chances are that if the Mass is the most important element to you, you want a photographer and even a videographer who share this feeling!
4. Set a Budget
Establishing a budget early can help ease any stress. Discuss what’s important to you both and how to prioritize your spending. Remember, photography is a lasting investment, capturing the beauty of your faith and love. The photos may be one of the only aspects of your day that you take with you, that remain in your lives for years to come. There are so many tools to help you establish this, and I highly encourage you find one and communicate together early in the process!
5. Meet with Your Priest
Schedule a meeting with your priest or the officiating clergy. They can offer guidance on marriage preparation and help you understand any specific traditions you may want to include in your day! It’s also worth noting that if you have a specific priest in mind that you’d like to have as part of your day just as Grace and I did, make sure to check with him as soon as possible about potential dates!
6. Choose Your Wedding Date
Selecting a wedding date can be special—consider one that has meaning for you as a couple, perhaps a feast day or another significant occasion in the Church. This adds depth to your celebration and certainly helps you to tell and continue creating your love story!!
7. Discuss Ceremony Details
Reflect on the elements of your ceremony that speak to your faith. Will you include a devotional of some sort or special blessings? These moments can enhance the beauty of your day and create wonderful opportunities for photography. Just remember, it’s not about the photos themselves…Your day is special because of the occasion, the photos just help you to remember it!
8. Draft Your Guest List
Begin creating a preliminary guest list. Knowing the size of your wedding can help with venue selection and planning. Focus on inviting those who support and celebrate your union. You can also use certain conditions to navigate pairing down the list when necessary…maybe you haven’t seen them in a while, and maybe they are still family, so you have to or really want to invite them!
9. Research Wedding Vendors
Take your time finding vendors who align with your values and vision. Look for those who understand the significance of your Catholic faith and can help bring your dream wedding to life. As you look for particular vendors, consider the quality of work, style, budget, and how these pieces fit into a list that can help you ultimately decide.
10. Capture the Moment
As you navigate these early steps, consider documenting your journey together. Whether through photos, journaling, or keepsakes, capturing these moments can create beautiful memories to reflect on later.
This is an exciting time in your lives, filled with love and anticipation. Remember to lean on each other, pray, and enjoy the process. As you take these first steps, I’m here to help you capture the beauty of your journey, not just on your wedding day but throughout this special season in your lives.
Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll explore creating an engagement timeline that supports your planning process!
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Author: Michael
