Venue and Planning Before Engagement

I’m also a “do things in order” type of girl. I started looking at options before I was engaged but I didn’t contact anyone or book anything until the engagement was official. If FH has to save up for a ring, won’t you also have to save up for a wedding? Unless your parents are going to foot the entire bill. I’m just thinking that if he has to save up for a ring, next spring or fall might be pushing it, budget wise.

I do t understand your comment about the invitations though. Why would those gonout just because you booked your venue?

Do you have budget to pay for a wedding if he is still saving for a ring? Do you feel comfortable signing a contract and paying a deposit before you’re engaged? Also why would invitations need to go out as soon as you book your venue?

I knew that my fiancé was going to propose, and since I knew where I wanted to get married before he did that, I went ahead and booked it about a month before he proposed. But it was my church, so it was easy to just get penciled in. Plus, it was free to do that.

I say, book the park, since you know the proposal is coming. And, if you can afford any down payment.

In terms of the invitations, according to what I’ve read, they go out 2-3 months before the wedding. You can send save the dates, but those don’t go out until 6-8 months ahead of time (although some people send them 9-10 months before). I’m getting married on 10/19/19...my save the dates will go out soon, and invites will go out in early August.

If you feel comfortable and it’s at an affordable price, then go for it. I personally would not book anything before a proposal.

View Quoted Comment That definitely makes sense. Our budget is fairly small and We also plan to have it outdoors. Venue is only $700 for everything. As of right now we’re paying for everything and know we won’t run into any issues. The most expensive thing right now is my ring. 😬 There won’t be much decor as it’s outdoors and I’m a bit of a DIYer so decor will be minimal and inexpensive. We’re not nervous about the timeline coordination with our budget—just losing the venue if we don’t call this May and my worrisome self is bothered about booking before he actually proposes. Our parents may offer to help, but we don’t know yet.

I’ve just heard so many people saying either, invites don’t go out until a few months prior or invites go out soon after your venue is booked. 🤷🏾‍♀️ At the end of the day, I’m learning that going with the flow is best, but having insight from others is also great. Thanks for your response! 🙏🏾

One of my best friends and her now husband had their venue booked before they got engaged. They knew when they wanted to get married and where so they went ahead and booked it and her husband proposed a few months later.

View Quoted Comment 🙌🏾Yes, the proposal is definitely coming and we’ve been talking about the venue for a few weeks now. It’s extremely affordable and exactly whatwe invisioned. He’s actually the one that’s wanting to call in May and book it. Your explanation of the invites helps SO much. Thank you!

View Quoted Comment I think that’s whats going to happen with us. We’re set on the date and the venue is amazing—we don’t want to lose it.
Thank you for your reply!!

View Quoted Comment I’m glad to help! Definitely book the park, since it’s affordable and you and your boyfriend are on the same page. ☺️

If you book a venue and are planning you’re wedding, you’re engaged. Ring or no ring, proposal or no proposal. My FH also didn’t have enough money for a diamond ring when we were ready to get engaged... he proposed with a CZ ring that was like $40 lol. Honestly no one could tell! Then once he saved up enough, he bought me a real diamond ring. The ring is just a symbol of engagement but it’s not like you can’t be engaged without one.

I bought some jewelry stamps and candles before I was engaged but I wouldn’t put down any serious money or deposits. Ppl said if you’re planning to be engaged soon you pretty much are but I’ve been through a lot of bad relationships in my life and I needed a concrete proposal with a ring.

If you are confidant that is the place for you, I’d book it. The downside for me would be that there would be no way I wouldn’t start planning other things as well (and you’d actually need to if you have specific caterers in mind) and then it almost seems like the proposal would be anti-climatic,

Being a fellow Minnesotan, I’m curious as to the park. We looked at both county and city parks near Mpls and the variety always amazes me.

We did this and it was fine. I knew The proposal was coming. I picked Out the ring. But he surprised me of when the proposal would be. We’ve been together 9 years so it was time. It was a mutual discussion