Did you just get engaged over the Holidays or have you been engaged for a while and just don’t know how to get started with your wedding planning?

Well, stop panicking! Take a breath and here are top 4 things you should do before digging deep into this journey that is wedding planning.

1.       Let the cat out of the bag and announce the happy news. Change your Facebook status to “Engaged,” but make sure you let your family and close friends know before they find out via Facebook.

2.       Start Crunching Numbers. Identify who will contributing to the wedding. I know this can be an awkward conversation if either sets of parents are paying for a portion or footing the entire bill. If you and your fiancé will be paying for the wedding, both agree on a number that you both feel comfortable paying. Don’t go into debt for one day. And think about setting up a separate wedding account so you can start saving for the Big Day!

3.       Before thinking about looking at venues, work on a guest list as this will likely determine your budget and what venues you can and can’t afford and if they can accommodate your anticipated guest count.

4.       RELAX. Take a deep breath. Being engaged is that special time in your life before making the life-long commitment and just have fun and not stress about the little details. You so no you don’t have to become a Bridezilla!

Now after reading our four helpful hints you still don’t feel you can’t fully do #2 or even #4, then think about hiring a wedding planner that can help to alleviate any unwanted stress and make planning fun!