What to do after Getting Engaged
You’ve got the ring on your finger, you’ve said, “Yes!” and now it’s time to…. Well, what’s next?
Getting engaged is so unbelievably exciting, but it can feel overwhelming to think about everything that comes after, especially if you aren’t exactly sure what does come after – and don’t worry, most couples aren’t! This guide will help you figure out what to do after getting engaged, and how to start diving into planning your wedding.
What to Do After Getting Engaged
Here’s a little checklist of steps to take and what to do after getting engaged!
Relax, and Enjoy!
The first step is actually to just… not do anything! It’s really exciting, and so many people are tempted to just jump right into wedding planning. But, I actually really recommend taking some time to just chill! Your wedding day will be a big deal, but this time in your life is worth celebrating too. After you get engaged, take a little bit of time to just enjoy the moment, soak in those feelings, and spend some time together!
Get the Ring Sized and Insured
If the ring isn’t exactly a perfect fit, you’ll need to get it resized. Do this as soon as possible so that you can show off your new bling! Another important thing to think about is insurance – if anythaing happens to it (knock on wood), you’ll want to make sure that you’re covered. Insurance can protect you in case of damage, theft, or if the ring gets lost.
Tell People After Getting Engaged
You can decide when you want to tell friends and family about your engagement. This might be part of the “relaxing and enjoying” step – since celebrating with the people you love can make it that much more exciting – or you may decide to wait a little bit and keep it between the two of you for a little bit.
Remember – it’s totally your decision who you tell, and when! Couples who choose to elope might decide not to tell anyone at all, or to only keep a few close loved ones in the loop.
Create a Wedding Budget
Once you’re ready to actually start planning the wedding, one of the first things you’ll need to do after getting engaged is to create your budget. This is really important to do together, as it sets expectations, you can both define your priorities and what’s important to you. Having a budget helps you make a plan for how you’ll pay for the wedding and what you’ll be paying for, and gets you on the same page!
Think About Potential Wedding Dates
You’ll need a date set in stone to book vendors and send invitations, so start brainstorming! There are a lot of factors that come into play when you’re thinking about your ideal wedding date, like seasons and weather, your work schedules and time off, and just personal preference. Some couples have a date in mind – like an anniversary, a fun date like (10/10), or something that’s meaningful to them – while others are open. It can be convenient to keep your options open, as this gives you more flexibility when it comes to finding a venue that’s available!
Make a Guest List
Your guest list doesn’t have to be totally complete this early on, but you will need to know a ballpark figure of how many people you plan to invite to your wedding, since this will affect your venue options! Talk with your partner about what size you want your wedding to be (big party or intimate celebration, or something in between), and start working on a rough guest list.
Start Looking for Wedding Venues
The venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when it comes to what to do after getting engaged – and this is the place where you’ll host your wedding, so it’s important! First, decide where you want to get married (close to home, or a destination wedding?) so that you can start looking for venues in that area. The Knot and WeddingWire can be great resources for searching for wedding venues, and you can filter by style, size, budget, and more!
It’s a good idea to see potential venues in person, if you can, and don’t be afraid to tour a few different ones before you make a final decision.
Find a Photographer (And Book an Engagement Session)
The first vendor most couples will look for is a photographer. This person will be documenting your day, so it’s important that you find someone you get along with! You need a wedding date to hire a photographer for your wedding, so couples usually do this after they’ve booked the venue.
I really recommend doing an engagement session with the photographer you choose, for a few reasons! First, this helps you get to know each other – so that on your wedding day, your photographer feels more like a friend. It also helps you get used to being in front of the camera and makes the whole thing feel less stressful!
Just Got Engaged?
Of course, there’s more to do when it comes to planning your wedding – but these steps for what to do after getting engaged are a few of the first things you’ll need to think about! Throughout the process, remember that this should be fun. It’s easy to get stressed out about planning a wedding or to get caught up in the pressure and expectations, but this is about you, and about celebrating your love! Your wedding should be exactly what you ant it to be.
If you got engaged and you’re looking for a photographer and videographer who will support you along the way, and who will document your day to ensure that you can remember every moment – contact me!
