10 Things people don’t tell you about getting engaged and planning a wedding

As many of you know, after over 7 years together, myself and Mr Beautiful Truth, got engaged last July in Florida. You would think after such a long time together, it wouldn’t have been the big shock that it was, but to say I was surprised would be an understatement. I think my words were “You’re joking” over and over again. Needless to say, we are both over the moon and very excited about getting married next July. However, since we have started planning, I have realised there is so much people don’t tell you about getting engaged and planning a wedding.

1. You will never be prepared for the moment he pops the question

I had worked out the senerio of the moment he would get down on one knee, a million and one times. I had dreamed about it, discussed it in minute detail with my friends and I always thought I would know exactly when it was going to happen.  no matter how much you think you know, you will still be surprised and ridiculously over the moon.

2.You will constantly stare at your hand

I am still finding it hard to go a few minutes without glancing at my ring finger and smiling like a eejit. I find myself testing the sparkle in different light and there really is nothing more exciting than the sun lighting catching the diamond and giving a beautiful flare. However, it will also make you ridiculously nervous. Lets face facts. You are walking around with a piece of jewellery on your hand that probably costs more than your first car ( or even your car now). For the first few weeks, I imagined ridiculous senerios were disaster would strike . My advice now. Insure the ring and then just sit back, relax and enjoy it’s beauty.

3. The Groom has an opinion

Within minutes of getting engaged, your mind begins spinning with colour schemes, venues, hair, makeup and lots more that goes into planning a wedding. The wedding of your dreams is within touching distance. However, there is one small spanner in the works. Most of the time your husband to be will have an opinion. It turns out most men want to be involved in as much as the planning as possible. I know, this surprises me as much as it has you, but the more I talk to other brides, the more I think the modern Irish man actually really enjoys wedding planning.

4. Pinterest is your bible

I ask myself on a regular basis, ” how did people ever plan a wedding without Pinterest?” Pinterest is my go to place for every single aspect of the wedding. I even have my mother and other half checking out my ideas on the wedding board.

5. You will spend a small fortune on manicures

Nails by Top To Toe Dublin 7

You will be flashing the sparkler on a daily basis, so you will need to have your fingers in immaculate condition. Shellac is your friend. Treat yourself to regular manicures. It is not only a nice way to relax, but your nails will look smashing. I’d say the girls in Top to Toe are near sick of me at this stage

6. Budgets suck

Pick a budget for your wedding. Look at your handy work. Then rip it up and start all over again because no matter how much you think something is going to cost, it ends up being a lot more. The problem with hiring something for a wedding is, once you mention the word wedding the prices go crazy. At every turn, the prices of different things have blown my mind. Take the cost of flowers. I know flowers don’t come cheaply, but seriously I just want a few flowers for the church, not an enchanted forest.

7. Bands will cause you serious heartache

This for me, has been the hardest part of planning the wedding so far. We would be very picky about our music, as we are both musicians, but it would be easier to pick the winner of the Grand National, then pick a band that can play at your wedding. The first problem is finding a band you like. You will spend hours trawling through websites listening to 101 versions of Galway girl and Don’t stop believing. Some will sound amazing. Others like cats crying. Once you find a band you like, the next problem is making sure the date is free. We honestly must have called 20 bands before we found a band that we liked and was also free on our date. My advice. Book your band the minute you have a venue booked.

8. You will cry at all things wedding

I hang my head in shame, because every time a wedding comes on the telly I sob like a newborn. It is gone beyond a joke. While looking for a videographer, I spent a long time looking at examples of peoples work. Mr Beautiful Truth would often walk into the room, and see me in a heap in front of the laptop watching someone else’s wedding short video. How am I going to hold it together on my actual wedding day?

9. You will feel different

No matter how long you have been together, you will fall in love all over again. While a marriage proposal brings so many nice things, like venues, dresses and makeup, it also brings your relationship to a whole new level of seriousness. Once you say yes, you have committed to being with someone for the rest of your life. For me this has been the nicest part of getting engaged.

and finally….. Don’t forget what it is all about

Weddings are fun, girly and exciting times, and it is very easy to get caught up in it all. It is important to take the time and enjoy being engaged and getting excited about being married and not just about the wedding day.this is a magical time to be relished