I’m Engaged! Now What? | Here are The First Few Things You Should Do

photography: Kelli McAbee

Outfit Details

Pajama Set (on sale for $16! Wearing a small, fits TTS) | Bridal Planner: Kate Spade | Bedding: Bed, Bath, and Beyond

You’re engaged, eek! The tears have finally stopped flowing and you’ve shared your excitement with all your friends and family. You can read all about my engagement story here! If you’re like me, you’re wondering where to start first. It can definitely be an overwhelming process. Everyone is not kidding when they say how stressful planning a wedding is.  I’ve created a list of actionable tips for what to do after you get engaged to help you get started!

Get Your Ring Insured

If you’re getting engaged in your early twenties,  it’s probably the most expensive thing you’ve owned to date. Well, besides my car but I’m definitely not carrying that on me 24/7! Getting it insured is a simple process and will save you plenty of stress if a catastrophe happens in the future.

Pick a Date

Most people argue that you should pick a date first, however, I think you should just pick a season. It helps you not to be tied down to one particular time and gives some leniency when looking at places for your ceremony and reception.

Set a Budget

Years of scrolling online for inspiration has finally led to this moment! However, you quickly realize that the helicopter exit into the sunset and gifting everyone snuggies might not be the most economical of options. I’ve seen some very tasteful weddings done for less than $3000. Never be discouraged if you can’t have a wedding that rivals Harry and Meghan!

Create a Rough Draft of Your Guest List

No need to pull out the address book just yet. Brainstorm a list of names of the people you want to join you on your big day. Now that you’ve set your budget, it can help you prioritize who to invite. I gave both of our families a week to get me a list. I figured if you couldn’t think of someone in that timeframe, we probably shouldn’t invite them! Save your money, girl.

Find a Wedding Planner

Balancing grad school and a full-time job will basically leave only nights for working on wedding things. I’m so thankful my parents agreed to let me work with a wedding planner! It’s going to relieve so much stress in the long run. They can help you find all of the best discounts and vendors since they are professionals! OR you could also use a wedding website like Wedding Wire, Zola or The Knot if you’re going the DIY route. They provide ratings from other brides who have used vendors in your area.

Pick a Venue

Would you like your ceremony indoors or outdoors?  Rustic or elegant? Small wedding or a grand affair? I suggest making a list of all of the things you need in finding a great before starting your search. That way you’ll know exactly what questions to ask before you make a decision!

Search for Inspiration

Pinterest, wedding blogs, and magazines are all great sources for inspo. (Pssst. You can totally pin this post for later if you’re not engaged yet.) You can even search wedding hashtags on Instagram like #shesaidyes, #stylemepretty, and #marthaweddings, too! Just remember to find ways to make it unique for YOU and your fiance!

Take a Breath!

Enjoy this beautiful time during your engagement and don’t sweat the small stuff. If you won’t be upset about it a year after your wedding, it’s probably not worth your stress. It’s a blessing to be in this season and you should soak up all of the memories while you can.

Congratulations babe!

P.S. I created this blog post after a lot of requests from my followers! What else would you like to see when it comes to wedding planning? Let me know below!

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You Might Also Like…  WE’RE ENGAGED! | My Proposal Story and My Thoughts on Long Distance Relationships