Whether you are recently engaged (Congratulations!) or know someone who is, this list is my top 11 things every future bride or groom MUST do as soon as they are engaged.
1. Breathe
Yup, that just happened. You just got engaged! Take the moment to breathe and soak it all in. This is a big deal, and before even thinking about what to do, make sure you just take in all the joy and surprise. Sometimes it’s easy to want to dive into planning, but you have been waiting for this. Savor it!
2. Call Everyone
Your mom, your dad, your sibling, your best friend, your other friend, your dog, your nemesis (to brag of course)… EVERYONE! Ok, maybe not everyone, but at least those people who you would expect to call you with any big news. You really don’t want your mom finding out through Facebook, trust me.
3. Snap that Bling!
Snap a picture of that ring and send it to all your closest friends! I wouldn’t recommend posting it online, however, unless your Instagram or Facebook are set to private. Unfortunately, there are people who plot and scheme when they see expensive things online.
4. Insure the Ring
Listen, things happen. Having a protruding new accessory on your finger can take some getting used to! That is why I recommend always getting the ring insured, if only for peace of mind. Usually, the jeweler where it was purchased will have a warranty/insurance policy they offer.
5. Resize the Ring
I can tell you from experience… the toughest part of proposing is trying to get your partner’s ringside without alerting suspicion! More often than not, the size doesn’t end up being perfect. There are plenty of great temporary solutions and even more permanent ones. A loose ring is scary, and a tight ring is dangerous.
6. Start Thinking About Dates and Locations
This is just to start getting an idea in your head. Everyone and their dog will ask you when you are thinking of having the big day, you may as well get ahead of it and have the answer. And unless you plan on having the wedding within the next 6 months, simply picking the season and year will suffice in the beginning. The best wedding times usually coincide with the best weather, so make sure you do some research. The South of France may be beautiful year-round, but you might be an icicle if you choose December in Wyoming. Unless that's your thing, in which case please hire me because I love Wyoming Winters.
7. Discuss a Budget
It is important to be honest and open about your expectations going into this huge new world of wedding planning. Budgets can range from a couple of thousand dollar intimate ceremonies to full six-figure weddings. Getting this out in the open early will help ease the process and help prevent disagreements down the road.
8. Look at Some Online Wedding Planning Timelines
Planning a wedding is a marathon. It is critically important to know how you are progressing. I highly recommend finding a couple of different timelines to help keep yourself on track and not feel overwhelmed at the end. You won’t know when to send save the dates or ask your wedding party to join your big day until you’ve done it. Some timelines are a bit scary and you might already feel behind, but not every wedding will fit the same mold. Think guidelines, not strict laws.
9. Build a Wedding Website
This is a super helpful way to communicate information to your future guests, create a registry, and share your beautiful story. If you aren’t experienced in website making, don’t worry! There are some great (free!) resources out there that take all of the hard work out of it. My wife and I used theknot.com and loved it. A quick Google search will bring up dozens of more options!
10. Use that Pinterest Board!
Pin till your heart's content. Start creating a cohesive vision for what you would like your wedding to look like. Your vision can start broad, but narrowing it down to something that really represents your dream wedding is key. Then you can use this as a vision board to bounce real-life decisions off of in the future. “Do these plates fit the initial aesthetic we envisioned?” or, “Will this white table runner pull my slightly rustic venue back into a classic look?” The only right answers are the ones that bring you closer to your dream wedding.
11. Plan an Engagement Party
There is so much immediate emphasis on the wedding, but just the engagement itself should be celebrated. This is a wonderful commitment of love. A promise of a future. Take any chance you get to shout it from the rooftops!
This can often be planned by family or the bridal party, but get the process started by at least hinting if you are interested in having an engagement party. Most parties are either brunch affairs or mid-afternoon gatherings. They can range in size from full wedding guest lists to small intimate groups. It is all up to you.
Bonus: ENJOY IT!
You are about to embark on a wild journey. Sometimes the entire wedding planning time might feel like a “trial by fire” for you and your love, but never lose sight of what pulled you to take this leap in the first place. You are going to disagree on budget, decor, food, or all three and more. Just go back to step one, breathe, and remember that no part of the process matters as much as marrying the person you love.
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