The First 10 Things to Do After Getting Engaged

After spending years dreaming about what your special moment would be like, it has finally happened—you’re engaged! But you soon realize that although you put a lot of thought into what your ideal proposal would look like, when it would happen, and who would be present, there’s something you didn’t think much about: what to do right after getting engaged.

To help you make the most of the first few weeks and months after your engagement, check out this list of the first 10 things you should do after getting engaged:

1. Enjoy being engaged

It can be tempting to jump into wedding planning right after getting engaged. But keep in mind that you have months to worry about the flavour of your wedding cake, what your bridesmaids will wear, and where you’re going to go on your honeymoon. Before you get wrapped up in the planning process, take the time to simply enjoy being engaged.

2. Share the news

Depending on your personality, you may want to share your big news with others right after getting engaged or keep it private for a bit longer. In either case, be sure to tell VIPs—close family and friends—before you announce your news on social media.

3. Insure your ring

Getting insurance may not be the first thing you think about after getting engaged, but it’s a step you don’t want to miss. After all, you’ll want to have coverage in case your ring or stone gets lost or damaged. The two most common ways to insure an engagement ring are to include it as an add-on to your home insurance or to buy coverage from a dedicated jewellery insurance firm.

4. Identify your wedding style

Before you get caught up in the details of your big day, think about the big picture. When you and your partner close your eyes and imagine what your wedding looks like, what do you see? Do you see an intimate beach celebration or a large reception in a grand ballroom? Once you’ve identified your overall style, create a Pinterest board of images that represent it. This will help you and your vendors keep your overall vision in mind throughout the planning process.

5. Set a budget

It’s not always a fun process, but before you begin booking vendors, make sure you and your partner are on the same page about your wedding budget. Think about who will contribute to the cost of your wedding and what you feel comfortable spending.

6. Hire an expert

Your wedding is probably the largest and most important event you’ll ever plan. That’s why it can be helpful to hire a wedding planner, someone who knows the ins and outs of planning that big day. If you’re going to hire a planner, do it soon after getting engaged so you can take advantage of his or her expertise right from the get-go.

7. Select a range of dates

Before you can start looking at venues, you’ll need to identify an approximate range of dates for your wedding. Find out when you, your partner, and any important family members and friends are free. And if there’s a vendor you absolutely need to have for your wedding, check their availability too.

8. Make a draft guest list

The venue you choose will depend in part on the size of your guest list. So before you can narrow down your list of venues, you’ll need an estimate of the number of guests you’re planning to invite to your wedding. Remember that if your parents are footing at least part of the bill, they typically get a say in who gets invited.

9. Select your venues

Once you’ve identified your budget and drafted your guest list, it’s time to decide where you’re going to celebrate your marriage. When selecting different venues to visit, consider their location, size, cost, and how well they fit with the vision you have for your wedding. If your wedding will include several events, be sure to think about venues for each one.

10. Book must-have vendors

Is there a makeup artist or band you absolutely need to have for your wedding? Reach out to them early to check their availability. And book them as soon as you’ve settled on a firm date. These vendors book a limited number of clients for each date. For this reason, it’s important to scoop them up early.

Taking the first steps after getting engaged

Getting engaged is an exciting time, but it can also feel overwhelming. You may have so many people telling you what to do that you have no idea of where to start. Stay calm and collected in the weeks and months after getting engaged by working through the tips we’ve outlined above. They’ll help you enjoy your engagement period and get your wedding planning process off to the right start.

Need help planning one of the most important days of your life? Contact us to learn how we can make your dream wedding a reality.