Congratulations! You just got engaged and you can barely contain your excitement! But in between getting lost in the sparkle of your shiny new engagement ring the being flooded with questions from your loved ones, it's hard to know where to start your planning. It's easy to get lost in a sea of endless Pinterest wedding planning, but these are the things that you should focus on tackling first.

SET A DATE

The first thing you'll  need to know when you start wedding planning is your date. If you aren't set on one particular date, such as your grandparents anniversary, choose a few, especially if you are getting married during a popular season like June or if you have your heart set on a popular venue. BOOK A VENUE

Some venues are booked over a year in advance, so booking soon should be a priority. The venue will help to set the tone for the wedding theme, and will help you decide on what kind of dress to look for. If you're getting married on the beach you are going to be shopping for a completely different dress than you would be shopping for if you were getting married in a castle.

SAY YES TO THE DRESS! 

Aim to purchase your wedding dress nine to twelve months before the wedding, if possible. Most special ordered wedding gowns can take up to six months to come in. Giving yourself ample time for your dress to arrive, be altered, pressed and ready for your big day will alleviate a lot of stress.

SEND SAVE THE DATES

Send your save the dates shortly after your engagement so that your guests will have plenty of time to plan on coming to the wedding. Remember, save the dates should only be sent to people who you plan on sending a formal invitation. If you have a lot of out of town guests or if you are getting married during a popular time, letting them know as soon as possible will allow them to make the proper accommodations.