You’ve said yes—this is SUCH an exciting moment! Whether you were completely surprised or you had an inkling that it was coming, getting engaged is an incredibly big deal. You’re entering your bride era, and while you may already have an all-things-wedding Pinterest board, there are a few important (and fun!) steps to take before you start cake tastings.
Here are the first 5 things to do after you get engaged to help you ease into wedding planning with joy—and a bit less stress.
1. Soak It All In and Celebrate the Moment
Take in a breath and soak it all in. Don’t rush off to post the pic of the ring or start planning things. Enjoy the moment for just the two of you. This may mean popping champagne in your kitchen or just taking a quiet walk together. Whatever you choose to do, give yourselves space to enjoy the moment and to share the excitement about your engagement and wedding planning.
This is your time—don’t rush it. Let it sink in that you’re about to spend your life with your favorite person.
2. Tell Your Inner Circle First (Before You Post!)
Let’s face it. It is so easy to post big news online right away. But trust me; your closest family and friends will appreciate hearing that you are engaged directly from you before seeing it on social media. Social media is a great way to spread the word to those who are in your broader circles, but there is nothing like hearing special news personally.
Pick up the phone, FaceTime, or if possible, tell those who are special to you in person if you can. Sometimes their reactions will make the moment even more special.
3. Talk About the Big Picture Together
Sit down and have an open conversation about the vision for your wedding before diving into details like venues and florals. Talk about the vibe of your dream wedding and listen to what your partner envisions for the day as well. Stay open to compromising.
- What kind of wedding do you both envision? (Big celebration? Intimate elopement?)
- Do you want a long or short engagement?
- Do you want a modern or more traditional wedding?
- How involved do you want to be in the planning?
These early conversations will help you set expectations and avoid surprises down the road without the pressure to have everything figured out right away. It just opens the door for communicating so that you and the love of your life are on the same page.
4. Start Thinking About a Rough Budget (Yep, Already)
This part is an essential step in the wedding planning, although it is not a glamorous one. Talk about how much you’re both comfortable spending—and whether family will be contributing. This can be a rough budget, but having this conversation early helps to avoid frustration later.
Having a rough idea of your budget early on will help guide every other decision: the venue, guest list, vendors, and more.
Pro tip: Set aside a bit of your budget for surprises—because there will be surprises.
Which leads me to the final thing to do upon entering your Bride Era which is to…
5. Begin Researching and Looking at Venues
Once you have your budget roughly figured out, start researching various venues to gather pricing and information prior to setting up tours to see the spaces. You will want to find a venue that fits the vision for your wedding day. For example, if your husband-to-be loves to fish, you may consider a lakefront venue like Lavender on the Lake to incorporate the water for photos. And! Fun fact! We have fishing poles on site for those who want to cast a line!
Select a few venues to set up tours with, but take your time as it can be overwhelming; all venues have different rules and processes. Be informed! You can read more here for ideas on how to find your dream wedding venue.
Finally, thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I hope you found this information helpful. I am passionate about using my blog to shine a light on locally owned wedding venues. These venues often bring a higher level of expertise, service, and dedication to your big day. Plus, with less staff turnover than corporate or investor-owned venues, we are able to provide a more personal touch. As you plan your wedding, we’d love for you to consider a locally owned venue like ours!
Check out this wedding venue map to discover amazing locally owned venues across the country. And a big shout out to all the incredible locally owned wedding venues out there!
XO
Shelley
Photo Credit | Lyndsay Rae Photography || Jeny Roc Photography