You’ve been anticipating the moment he proposes for so long, and now it has officially happened - has it soaked in yet? Or does it still seem unreal?
What you’re feeling is completely normal, my dear. The days following a wedding proposal are a lot to take in. There are so many intense emotions and fleeting thoughts you are experiencing, so if you take away anything from this article, leave with this: take your time to appreciate and experience everything you are feeling before jumping into planning your wedding.
Yes, wedding planning is going to be a fun and exciting process, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful at times. There are going to be a lot of hours of Google-searching and difficult decision-making, and sometimes, it may even feel like a second job once you get home from a long day at work. So, before beginning, take a few days/weeks to just be engaged.
And when you’re ready, follow the steps below to help you navigate what to do now that you’re engaged. We’re always here to help if you need further assistance:)
Congrats and good luck!
Celebrate
Before diving straight into figuring out all the perfect details for your wedding, take the first week or two (or even more time, if you prefer) to enjoy being engaged. You’re already experiencing a lot of overwhelming emotions and, right now, you two should instead be focusing on how excited you two are to be beginning this new stage in your relationship.
So, rather than jumping into researching venues and vendors right away, treat yourselves to time together. Pop a bottle of bubbly and celebrate over a home-cooked dinner for two, plan a weekend trip away to one of your favorite destinations, or if you can’t keep the news to yourselves for too long…(see Step 2)
Share the News (Especially with Your Parents!)
Your close friends and family have most likely been waiting for this moment to happen for months. Though it is definitely easier to reach the masses via a social media post, take the time to share news of your engagement with your parents beforehand. Even if they already know about the proposal, they will still appreciate you personally filling them in after it has officially happened.
Get Your Ring Sized and Insured
Okay, getting your engagement ring sized and insured isn’t one of the fun and exciting things to be thinking of right now, but please take the time to do it.
If your ring already fits perfectly, don’t worry about getting it sized - but, definitely do so if it’s falling off of your finger or vice versa. Remember, you’ll be asked to show it to everyone who finds out you’re engaged, so make sure you’re comfortable wearing it about.
As for insuring your engagement ring, look into adding it as an extension to your homeowner or renter's insurance policy - insuring your ring that way is surprisingly inexpensive.
Plan An Engagement Party
An engagement party is a great way to bring the important people in both of your lives together pre-wedding to celebrate the big news. If you like the idea of having one, but don’t have the time to organize it, asking a close friend who is familiar with both of your preferences is the best way to go. It can be as simple as having a low-key gathering in your home or meeting at a local bar for celebratory drinks.
Gather Inspiration for your Wedding
You may have begun gathering wedding inspiration on Pinterest, Instagram, or through wedding magazines by yourself already, but sit down with your fiance and discuss what both of you do and do not want when it comes to your wedding.
Share your thoughts on what you have liked and noticed from weddings you have both previously attended, as well as what elements are most/least important to you.
Compile the wedding details you both want to incorporate and refer back to these as you plan.
Set a Wedding Budget
Before beginning your extensive research on wedding venues and vendors, review the wedding details that are most important to you both (see Step 5) and discuss how much you want to set aside for those details.
Also, keep in mind that the amount of guests you invite will greatly affect how much your wedding will cost, along with the location you choose, and what details you prioritize. If your families are contributing, make sure you and your fiancé are in agreement about where the rest of your budget will be going.
Need more help with how to make a wedding budget? Click here for a more in-depth, step-by-step guide.
Discuss a Date
The date of your wedding is important in many ways. Weekend dates at most venues will most likely be higher in price than week days, but will also increase the chances that all the guests you invited can make it.
If you’re planning to have your wedding in Seattle or another location where the weather can be unpredictable, consider choosing a date that works with what you envision your wedding to be like. For example, if you want an al fresco wedding in your backyard, look into summer dates where you have a better chance of the weather working in your favor.
Pick Your Venue and Vendors
Keep your ideal wedding style in mind while venue and vendor searching. If you prefer an intimate gathering of people with minimal decor, ballroom venues in the city may not be the best fit for what you’re envisioning.
Look into hiring on a professional planner to help with getting you in touch with wedding venues/vendors who specialize in creating the wedding aesthetic you dream of. This is also a great way to get a professional’s perspective of what to look for in wedding vendors, as well as what to ask, expect, and plan to pay.
Choose Your Wedding Party
If you’re considering having a wedding party, start thinking of who those people will be now so they can reserve your wedding date in their busy schedules. These will be the people you’ll be with the entirety of your wedding day (and most likely the days leading up to and following your wedding), so make sure you love them enough to be around them that long.
If you have more close friends/family members than you prefer to have in your wedding party, but want to make sure they feel included, brainstorm other ways to incorporate them in your wedding (i.e. have them give special toasts during your rehearsal dinner, invite them to your bachelorette/bachelor party).
Ready to start planning, but feeling like you’ll need guidance along the way? Please reach out about your date, as we are more than delighted to hear from you and your fiance and how we can help.