This is the moment you’ve been anticipating. Wow, you have an engagement ring, and a wedding is in your future! It feels so surreal, yet it’s definitely happening. Whether you like it or not, the hours, days, and weeks that follow the proposal are sure to be chaotic.
There are countless things to consider, numerous people to inform, and a ton of tasks to complete. Don’t let it overwhelm you. You have ample time to organize the rest of your lives, but if you’re like most newly engaged couples, you’ll be eager to share the news with all your friends and dive straight into wedding planning.
Creating Pinterest boards, browsing bridal magazines, reading blogs, trying on dresses, scouting venues…the list is endless. Years of watching wedding films haven’t prepared you for what’s about to unfold (believe us, it’s a whole different experience). While the average engagement lasts about a year to a year and a half, there are certain tasks you’ll want to prioritize—regardless of how long you plan to be engaged.
So where should you begin? There isn’t a strict sequence to follow as long as you address the immediate actions. Committing to spend your life with the love of your life is both thrilling and daunting, and it’s the best kind of stress. However, it’s a significant milestone, and planning a wedding together is the cherry on top—we promise.
Call Your Parents
And also your siblings and best friends (unless you’re keeping your engagement secret for a bit). The last place they should learn about your new status is through social media, so give them a call and share the joyful news. Your parents might already be aware and have been patiently waiting for your call.
Get a Manicure
Your hands will be in the spotlight for the next few weeks, so make sure your manicure looks perfect. Or, if you prefer a natural appearance, ensure your nails are clean and well-shaped. Otherwise, friends might notice your chipped polish more than your stunning engagement ring, which isn’t ideal.
Post a Ring Selfie
A picture speaks a thousand words, right? If you’re ready to announce your engagement to the world, go ahead and open up Instagram. Snap a ring selfie or a cute photo of you and your fiancé to spread the love. Even better—if the proposal was caught on camera, nothing beats that moment of surprise. And don’t forget to make it official on Facebook.
Cheers!
Gather some of your closest friends and family for a celebratory drink, or enjoy a special date night just the two of you if that suits you better. You’re engaged, and that definitely deserves a toast.
Invite some of your closest friends and family to go out for a celebratory drink, or have a special solo date night if that’s more your preference. You’re engaged, and that’s certainly worth celebrating.
Take a Breather
Don’t rush into wedding planning immediately. Take a week or two to really absorb the news and enjoy the moment. Trust us, you’ll face enough stress over the next twelve (or so) months to last you a lifetime.
Get Your Ring Sized
If the ring fits perfectly, great! If it doesn’t, be sure to take it to your jeweler right away to get it resized—especially if it’s nearly slipping off your finger. After all, you wouldn’t want to risk losing something worth thousands of dollars just after agreeing to marry.
Think About a Date
The most sought-after wedding dates and venues often get reserved well in advance, so if you’re planning to tie the knot in the next year or two, it’s wise to start thinking about potential dates now. Check what works best for both families and if there are any possible conflicts.
Research Wedding Venues
Keep in mind: You can’t secure a date until you’ve decided on your ideal venue! Start with some online research, or perhaps you already have a specific place in mind and can contact them for details on pricing and availability.
Determine Your Wedding Size
Regardless of whether you’re opting for a grand celebration or a smaller event, it’s essential to be aligned on this point. Seek your family’s opinions if it’s important to either of you or if they’re contributing financially. Once you’ve settled on an approximate guest list and budget (we’ll cover that shortly), you can lock in a venue.
Discuss a Budget
Money is a crucial topic, but unfortunately, it’s often an uncomfortable one. However, before you can truly proceed with your wedding plans, this conversation has to take place, whether between you and your partner or you, your partner, and your families.
Create a Wedding Website
First and foremost, explore your options and determine if you would rather build one from scratch or utilize one of the numerous wedding website templates available. Review the advantages and disadvantages, then make a selection together.
Collect Inspiration
Start a Pinterest board, a Google Doc, save images on Instagram, or create a folder on your computer to gather pictures of your favorite wedding details. Keep it private for your own organization, or share it with your wedding planner, mother, friends, fiancé, or anyone else to view and contribute.
Decide on the Bridal Party
How many bridesmaids or groomsmen do each of you envision? Are you okay with having an uneven number, or do you prefer even? Does either of you (or both) wish to have a bridesman or groomslady? Will there be a maid of honor or best man? Regardless, it’s important to discuss these details before either of you asks friends to join the party.
Interview Planners and/or Vendors
If you’re thinking about hiring a professional planner to assist with logistics and décor, seek recommendations and do some online investigation. Then arrange interviews accordingly. For vendor recommendations alone, having a wedding planner can be incredibly valuable.
Look for Trunk Show Dates
Want to check out a certain wedding dress designer? You don’t need to rush into trying on dresses just yet, but it might be useful to look at their trunk show schedule to find out when they’ll be in your area (or where you might need to travel) and what discounts you could potentially receive on the new collection.
Unwind
Engage in something enjoyable, just the two of you. Whether it’s mini-golf, bowling, ice skating, or a beach trip—whatever you both love that can bring out your playful sides. Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful from the start, so try to find the humor in the situation and carve out time to laugh, reconnect, and remember the reasons you’re getting married in the first place.