It happened…you’re engaged! That ring is on your finger and you can’t wipe the smile off your face. And then it hits… you’ve got a wedding to plan! Before you panic, follow these 7 steps that will put your mind at ease while allowing you to soak in every moment that you’re feeling right now as a brand new fiancé.
1. Call your home team
Before you update your status, call your mom. If your family isn’t there at your proposal, give them a call letting them know you’re engaged. If your best friend lives across the country, let her know she better start prepping her speech! A personal contact shows intentionality and lets those closest to you feel included in this moment.
2. Clink that glass
Celebrate! In the immediate moments after the ‘yes,’ don’t worry about anything but soaking up every second. Remember the champagne you sipped, the song that played and the way you felt. Revel in the here and now.
3. Get insured
Engagement pro tip: protect your new ring by getting it appraised and insured. Most rings will come with a certificate indicating the appraised value. If this is not the case, any certified jeweler or gemologist will execute an appraisal for you at a minimal fee. After the appraisal, double check with your renter’s or homeowner’s policy and add it on. Take note: if you’re getting your ring insured anywhere other than where you’re living as a married couple (groom’s house, bride’s house, bride’s parent’s house), you’ll need to make sure it’s changed to a new location or that it ‘rides’ with you to your new home.
4. Set a budget
Have “that talk” with each of your families to determine who is contributing to your wedding. Then once you have the total wedding budget, start to think about what you value most as a couple. Are you a foodie? Are you both music junkies? Allocate your budget toward those aspects. Some couples spend more on food stations and less on florals while some splurge for a live band and others crave a curated bar. Allocate finances toward what you care for the most and create a spreadsheet (we recommend this one in Google Docs) to start keeping track of expenses.
5. Set a date
Do you envision a fall or spring wedding? An outdoor ceremony or indoor party? As you start to hone in on when you see your wedding happening, you will be able to determine where you want to look for your venue. We love recommending The Venue Report and blogs like Green Wedding Shoes and Style Me Pretty to help give you ideas for new venues. Or, ask your planner who will have a trunk full of ideas tailored specifically to you! Which leads us to…
6. Establish your dream team
If you haven’t already secured your wedding coordinator after you set your date and book your venue, start thinking about doing so! Not only will your team be there with you every step of the way, but they’ll be the ones keeping you sane and letting you know exactly when to focus on certain things in certain months. From assisting with contracts, to booking vendors, to creating mock-up designs of what your reception tables will look like, this will be one of the most stress-reducing decisions you make. We happen to know two awesome wedding coordinators and stylists 😉
7. Get ready
Get ready to have a blast planning your forever. Remember that there may be hiccups along the way, but the greatest way to alleviate any built up stress is to breathe deeply and focus on why you’re doing this. You’ve said yes to the love of your life and your celebration is a true reflection of the two of you as a couple stepping into a new chapter. You’re ENGAGED! Now let’s get this party started!
Photographer // Morgan Hydinger Photo + Video
