What To Do After Getting Engaged And Start Planning The Best Day Ever
YAY!!! 🎉 Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples out there!! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re still floating on cloud nine from the proposal, celebrating with family and friends, and staring at your ring every chance you get (as you should!!! 😍).
But somewhere between popping champagne and calling everyone you know, that little voice creeps in…
“Okay… now what?
Wedding planning can feel overwhelming, especially if you have no idea where to start. The good news is there is no rush and no right way to do this. You don’t have to have everything figured out today! Before the spreadsheets and Pinterest boards take over, here are my favorite tips to help you enjoy being engaged while setting a strong foundation for wedding planning:
1. Bask in the Moment
YOU. ARE. ENGAGED!!! 🎉💍
Pop a cork, pour the bubbly, celebrate with your people, and soak this season in!!! You just said yes to forever with your favorite person in the world, and that is a BIG deal.
Before you dive headfirst into planning mode, give yourself permission to enjoy this chapter. From telling your parents to admiring your ring for the thousandth time, it’s all part of the magic. Engagement is such a joyful season of life, don’t rush past it!!
2. Create a Realistic Wedding Budget
Realistic is the keyword here!!
One of the first things to do after getting engaged is to sit down and have an honest conversation about your wedding budget. Money can be a tricky topic, but talking about it early will save you SO much stress later on!
Meet with your fiancé (and anyone else who may be helping financially) and decide what feels comfortable. Having a clear budget helps prevent falling in love with venues or vendors that just aren’t realistic, avoiding heartbreak later on. Trust me, starting with a solid number makes planning feel way more manageable!!
PRO TIP: Pick the 3 most important things you envision about your day. Is it timeless wedding photos? Gorgeous, lush florals?? Incredible food? A packed dance floor all night long?! Knowing your top three helps you decide where to splurge and where you can save. (That’s exactly what my husband and I did, we cut back on florals so we could invest in photography, and I have ZERO regrets!!!)
3. Create a Tentative Guest List
Before you start touring venues, it’s super helpful to have a rough idea of how many guests you want to invite.
Not all venues can accommodate the same number of people, and guest count plays a HUGE role in pricing. Sit down with your fiancé (and family if needed) and talk through expectations early. Getting on the same page now helps avoid surprise costs and awkward conversations later!!
4. Dream About Your Wedding Style and Research Locations
Close your eyes for a second and picture your dream wedding day. What do you see?!
An intimate candlelit ceremony? An outdoor celebration at a vineyard? A destination wedding with your toes in the sand?! This is the time to think big-picture and focus on how you want your day to feel.
Gather inspiration from wedding blogs, magazines, and yes… Pinterest!!! Use those ideas as inspiration, not comparison. The goal isn’t to recreate someone else’s wedding, it’s to create a day that feels uniquely YOU.
5. Make Time for the Two of You
Wedding planning can quickly feel like a full-time job, so this one is HUGE!!!
Don’t let spreadsheets and to-do lists take over your relationship. Make intentional time to unplug from planning and just enjoy being engaged. Plan date nights, surprise each other, or even sneak away for a weekend together. At the end of the day, the wedding is about your marriage, not just the details!!
Being newly engaged is exciting, emotional, and sometimes a little overwhelming — all at the same time!! Take things one step at a time, enjoy the season you’re in, and remember there’s no “right” way to do this.
Newly engaged brides, what are you most excited about when it comes to planning your big day?? And what feels the most overwhelming right now?!
And for you happily married friends, what’s one thing you would do differently when it comes to wedding planning? Leave a comment below, I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts!!
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