Welcome to the First Chapter of Forever

First off, congratulations from all of us here at Hilton Farms on your engagement. This is such an exciting time in your life—filled with joy, celebration, and anticipation for everything your future holds. Engagement brings waves of love and laughter, but it also introduces new decisions, planning phases, and responsibilities. It can feel overwhelming to lock in a date, choose a venue, and start navigating the many details that lead to your perfect wedding day.
The good news? You do not have to do it alone. With the right guidance and a clear plan for your first 30 days, you can begin this journey with confidence, clarity, and excitement.

The First Five Things You Should Do Within 30 Days of Saying “Yes”

The first month after your engagement sets the tone for your entire planning experience. These first five steps are foundational and will guide everything else that follows.

1. Set a Wedding Date

Choosing your wedding date is one of the biggest decisions you will make, and it will determine availability for venues, vendors, and your wedding party. Consider your preferred season, weather, holidays, and any sentimental dates. In Owensboro, Kentucky—and throughout Western Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee—spring and fall are highly sought-after, so booking early is essential. Establishing your date early ensures you can move forward with confidence.

2. Set a Realistic Budget

Your budget dictates your planning path. This includes the venue, catering, décor, photography, entertainment, floral design, and more. Whether you are planning a large celebration or an intimate gathering, establishing a clear financial outline eliminates stress later. At Hilton Farms, we offer a variety of options—from DIY to All-Inclusive—to support different budgets while maintaining elegance and convenience.

3. Estimate Your Guest Count

Before booking a venue, you need a realistic idea of how many guests you plan to invite. Your guest count affects your venue size, catering, seating arrangements, and overall cost. Whether you are planning for 50 guests or 250 guests, knowing your approximate number helps ensure the space you choose is comfortable and not overcrowded. Hilton Farms accommodates a wide range of guest capacities for couples across Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.

4. Lock in Your Wedding Venue

Your venue is the heart of your wedding day—and one of the first major bookings you should secure. Popular wedding venues in Owensboro and the surrounding region book quickly, sometimes a year or more in advance. When you choose Hilton Farms, you gain access not only to a beautiful setting but also to inclusive services that simplify your planning so you can enjoy your engagement rather than stress over details. Booking your venue early ensures that your date is secured and allows you to proceed with the next steps in your planning journey.

5. Enjoy Your Engagement

Amid timelines, decisions, and planning, do not forget to simply enjoy each other. The excitement of this moment is fleeting, and your engagement is a milestone worth savoring. Take photos, celebrate with family, share the news, and soak in the joy. The planning will come, but the feeling of being newly engaged should be cherished.

Large white elegant building with copper roof 360 panoramic view from within the venue itself large glass doors mature trees green grass rock landscaping fencing around property flowers in pots blue and pink sky

Should You Hire a Wedding Planner?

As you navigate these first 30 days, one question naturally arises: Should we hire a wedding planner?
This is an important conversation between you and your future spouse and depends on your lifestyle, schedule, vision, and stress level.

A wedding planner can be invaluable—especially if your schedules are demanding, if your engagement is short, or if you have a complex wedding vision that requires expert coordination. A planner assists with timelines, vendor communications, coordination, and day-of execution.
On the other hand, some couples prefer a more hands-on approach and enjoy selecting each vendor personally. This is where partial planning options become beneficial, providing support without taking full control.

At Hilton Farms, our All-Inclusive and Partial-Inclusive packages function much like having a built-in planner. We handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on celebrating, not stressing.

Let Hilton Farms Do the Hard Work So You Can Enjoy Every Moment

The first 30 days after your engagement should be filled with joy—not pressure. You and your partner deserve to enjoy this chapter together without drowning in logistics. That is why Hilton Farms proudly offers inclusive wedding packages designed to remove the burdens of planning.

Our All-Inclusive package covers major elements like venue, décor, setup, tear-down, photography, entertainment, vendor coordination, and more. Whether you're envisioning rustic, elegant, modern, whimsical, or traditional—we customize the day to fit your dreams.

Whether you are 18 months out or only 3 months away, we ensure your wedding day unfolds effortlessly. Your job is to enjoy each other, celebrate your love, and anticipate the beautiful life you are building together.