11 Things To Do After Getting Engaged

You’re engaged, now what?! Can I just say… AHHHHH this is so exciting! CONGRATULATIONS! These next few weeks are going to be a whirlwind but don’t let it overwhelm you, instead soak it in. Because these moments you’re going to remember forever! The exciting conversations, the staring at your shining ring when it glistens in the sunlight, yeah my friend you’re engaged 🙂

There are so many things to think about and details to plan, but not to worry I’m going to help you get started. Here is my list of the 11 things you should do after getting engaged.

1. Get that diamond insured!

Sounds silly, but this is no joke! Chances are you don’t normally have a ring that amazing on your finger every day. You have some options, but normally when wrapped into your homeowner or renters insurance it can be surprisingly inexpensive.

2. Determine how many people you’ll be inviting

I know it sounds early to be doing this but in my opinion, planning is so much easier when you have an estimated guest count. It doesn’t need to be exact, but once you have a rough number finding the perfect venue is much easier!

3. Discuss the budget

Whether you’re going big or keeping it intimate, being on the same page is important. This also goes hand-in-hand with #2, but let’s be honest, everything ties to the budget.

4. Determine your priorities

When you picture your big day, what’s most important to the both of you? Before spending any money, determine your top 3-4 priorities. For example, if a kickass dance floor is a priority, then plan to splurge on an amazing DJ or live band. If there’s a dreamy venue you’ve been envisioning then I recommend budgeting that in first and work around it. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. On the flip side, everyone normally has items that can fall a little lower on the budget, it will still be amazing, but consider them areas that you can save money. For our wedding, the extended cocktail hour food was more important to us than the actual dinner so we opted to upgrade the charcuterie boards and go with the basic dinner menu – may sound crazy but yes that’s what happened lol.

5. Gather wedding inspiration

I know you’ve probably already started this, but get on Pinterest and pull those ideas together 🙂 What season do you both love? What color palette do you gravitate towards? Do you want a large wedding, or do you want to elope? What style are you dreaming of (boho, classic, modern, seasonal, etc)?

6. Choose who will be in the wedding party

How many people do you want on each side? Do you have friends and/or family members already in mind? Do you want an odd or even number on each side? Figure this out before popping the question to your party people.

7. Save the date

The popular dates book out 12-18 months in advance, so if you’re hoping for a specific date, the sooner the better. Find out what works best for you two, your families, and avoids everyones pre-scheduled events.

8. Research wedding venues

Get your vision, your budget, guest count, your partner, and visit some venues. Make it a fun day, grab brunch before, bring a notepad, take photos, its going to be amazing! 🙂

9. Research wedding vendors

Based on your priorities, booking vendors 12-18 months out is a good idea. This is where I come in at, HI I’m Paige from Paige Danielle Photography LLC haha welcome! But seriously, photographers along with many other vendors can only take one wedding a day, so it’s best to get your inquiries in and interviews scheduled so you can lock in your kickass vendor team.

10. If all else fails, hire a wedding coordinator

If the thought of this to-do list and planning your wedding sounds absolutely miserable, invest in a wedding coordinator. It will make the WHOLE experience so much better for you and your partner. Consider this one of those priorities we talked about earlier. Working with a professional planner can keep things streamlined, stress-free, enjoyable, and cost-effective if you’re not willing to do the research.

11. RELAX

Take a break from all things wedding. You’ve already done so much, and if your partner is anything like my husband they may need a break. Have a date night and DO NOT talk about the wedding. Go on a brewery tour, go ice skating, Top Golf, dinner and a movie, anything you two love. Focus on having a good time, your to-do list will still be there tomorrow.