In School and Engaged

Planning a wedding is tough on it's own and can take up a lot of your time in terms of research, vendor meetings, and just overall planning.
So how do you handle it when you are engaged while in school?

There are so many decisions to make in terms of your own future-and let's face it-there are some we just can't wait to begin!
It can be tough on a bride-to-be to want to invest in her wedding while she is investing in her education and in her future career, so here are some suggestions I've come up with to help you out in the process;

• Enjoy the time! Long engagements can be so romantic. Take time to really soak it all in, and the luxury of time that a long engagement gives you. So many couples I know who rushed through their engagement, look back and wish that they had enjoyed it more. Another bonus to having a long engagement, is that you can really think it all out, and take the guess work out of some of the decision making, because you are thinking it out instead of impulsively rushing to get the first thing you see.
• Don't be afraid to put it on the back burner: If you are finding it hard to concentrate on your studies because of those butterflies in your tummy, or those daydreams that creep into your head while trying to listen to a lecture-put the wedding stuff on the back burner for the time being. A good strategy that I recommend, is to think about the wedding stuff when you don't have a ton of papers due, trust me-you'll thank me when you don't have to pull the all nighters getting caught up because pretty flowers, dresses and your dreamy Groom-to-be keep clouding your mind ;)
• One investment at a time: This is a toughy for some. How do you afford that dream wedding with a school loan to pay back? Not all of us walk into our high-end salary jobs right after college or university. This is where you both really need to sit down and start figuring out what your plans are financially. Start by being realistic about what you really want for your day, and what you can come up with to invest into it. It is also a good idea to know beforehand if anyone else will be contributing (ie: Parents). If it's not in the cards for the time being, you may need to extend the engagement until you are both ready for the investment.
• The test of time: I know many couples who have made long distance relationships, and long engagements work. It helps if you are both on board with the idea and understand prior to your engagement, that it might be a lengthy time for you both. As with any solid relationship-communication is where it is at. If you are feeling overwhelmed, or stressed, or confused about your future plans for school and a pending marriage, then it's important to express them to your partner. You shouldn't feel that you need to choose one over the other.
• Time constraints and delegation: This is where a pro can help. If you have set the date while you are in school, or shortly afterwards, you may need the assistance of a Wedding Planner. A professional can keep you from making costly mistakes, save you precious time, and most importantly-allow you to keep your focus on your books without worrying about all the little details for your day.

I hope these tips help! I totally respect any bride-to-be who can focus on her education while being engaged-it's not easy to juggle!
I wish you nothing but the absolute best in all your future successes, and your wedding planning!

Have a fantastic day!