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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2015 45 Wedding feature Tying the knot? Get organised! ONCE the initial shock of being engaged wears off (and you take a second to peel your eyes away from that sparkly ring on your fin- ger!), you'll need to make a lot of decisions. Here some important things you need to do to really kick off your wedding planning. Set a timetable The minute you get engaged, everyone will be asking for your wedding date. But in reality, you won't be able to set an exact date until other major decisions – like choosing (and booking) your venue – are made. So first, focus on determining a range of dates that will work for you. A typical engagement lasts anywhere from six months to a year and a half or more, but also think about what season you'd prefer, any major holidays or family events you'd like to avoid conflicting with, and how long you predict you'll need to plan. Find your style and pick a location Close your eyes and picture your fantasy wedding. What do you see? Is it a candlelit ceremony in a man- sion? Are you walking barefoot on a beach in the tropics? While you're picturing your perfect wed- ding, here are some key questions to consider: Big (everyone you know) or small (just close friends and family)? Outdoors or in? Home (one of your hometowns) or away (a destination wedding)? Modern, classic, romantic, vintage, rustic or all-out glam? Fancy, casual or somewhere in between? To help you get a better idea of what you want (and what you don't want), spend some time gathering in- spiration. Check out magazines, books and real wedding photos online, but don't limit yourself to the obvious sources. Always keep your eyes open for inspiration. Set your budget Sit down with your families and figure out how much everyone is contributing. This number will af- fect every decision and purchase you make, so be sure to work out your budget before you start plan- ning. It can be an uncomfortable conversation, but it's better to get it out of the way now. Consider a consultant If you're a super-busy couple, have demanding jobs or have big (read: complicated) dreams for your wedding weekend, then you should hire a full-time wedding planner to help you prepare your entire event, from the announce- ment to the honeymoon. You can also hire a part-time consultant to devise a wedding blueprint – in- cluding budget, schedule, and lists of good vendor and site choices – before you launch solo into the preparations. Book a venue (and set your date) Your reception venue will be- come the backdrop for virtually all your photos and can influence everything from heavy hitters like your budget and guest list to smaller details like your menu (if you choose a venue with in-house catering). Ensure that you get the look, price and extras you want by scouring local listings, shop- ping around, scheduling visits and booking early. Bonus: By signing your venue contract, you will of- ficially have your wedding date (congrats!).