This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! You have an engagement ring on your finger and you’re getting married. It’s surreal, yet it’s definitely happening, and the months following that proposal are destined to be a whirlwind. There are so many things to think about, so many people to contact, and so much to get done, but don’t be overwhelmed. If you’re like most newly engaged people, you’ll be so excited to tell your family and all your friends and then dive right into wedding planning!
While the average engagement lasts 12 to 18 months, there are certain things you’ll want to get done first (and quickly), no matter how long you plan on being engaged. So where do you start? There’s no exact order to follow as long as you tackle the most important parts of planning first! Being engaged is both exciting and amazing and will be some of the best days spent together.
WHAT TO DO FIRST
Call Your Parents…
And your siblings and best friends too (unless you are keeping your engagement under wraps for a while). The last place you want them to hear about your new status is on social media. So give them a ring (no pun intended) and tell them your happy news. Chances are, mom and dad already known can’t wait to hear from you!
Get a Manicure… Your hands will be in the spotlight for the next couple of weeks, which means your manicure should be perfect. Or, if you’re going for the natural look, make sure your nails are clean and shaped. Otherwise, friends will be focusing more on your chipped nail polish than your gorgeous engagement ring.
Post a Ring Selfie… If you’re ready to share with the world that you’re engaged, open up your Instagram. Take a ring selfie or a special pic of you and your fiancé to share the love. And don’t forget to make it Social Media official.
Cheers… Round up some of your best friends and family and go out for a celebratory drink, or have a special date night solo if that’s more your style. You’re engaged, and that’s totally worth celebrating!
Take A Breathe…
Don’t jump right into wedding planning right away. Take a week or two and just savor the moment. The next few months of planning will keep you busy.
Pick A Date… The most popular wedding dates and venues get booked far in advance so if you’re hoping to get married in the next year or two, it’s a smart idea to start thinking about dates now. Find out what works for both your families and if there are any potential conflicts.
Set a Budget…
Unfortunately, no one likes to talk about money. It can feel uncomfortable. We advise our brides to set a budget with their finance and parents before moving forward with any wedding plans. You want to have a realistic expectation of what you can (or can’t) spend moving forward.
Research Wedding Venues… You can’t book a definite wedding date until you’ve nailed down your dream venue! Keep your options open on venues if your date is not flexible. Do some research online first, or maybe you already have a place in mind and can call to get more information on pricing and availability.
Determine the Size of Your Wedding… Whether you’re going big or keeping it small, being on the same page about this one is so important. Get your family’s input if they’ll be footing the bill or it’s important for you to involve them. Once you’ve agreed on a rough guest count and budget you can commit to a venue.
Build A Wedding Website… At least, look at your options and decide whether you’d prefer to create your own from scratch or use one of the many wedding website templates out there. Check out the pros and cons, and then decide on a format together. Brides this year have relied on wedding websites to update their guests on Covid restrictions and other pandemic related items that pertain to their wedding.
Gather Inspiration… Create a Pinterest board, save photos on Instagram, or create a folder on your computer to compile imagery of your favorite wedding elements. Keep it to yourself just for organizational purposes, or share with your wedding planner, mom, friends, fiancé, and whoever else to view and contribute. Decide if you want modern, elegant, or maybe even a destination wedding.
Choose Your Bridal Party… How many bridesmaids or groomsmen do each of you want? Are you good with having odd numbers or is an even number a must? We’ve seen it work both ways. Will you have a maid of honor or best man? No matter what, you need to discuss these things before one of you starts popping the question to friends. Interview Planners and/or Vendors… If you’re considering bringing a professional planner on board to help with logistics and décor, ask around for references and do a little online research, then set up some interviews. For the vendor referrals alone, a wedding planner is totally worth their weight in gold. We at Two Girls in Pearls Events love sitting down with our brides and hearing their vision and thoughts! A planner can help you bring your wedding together cohesively.
Go Shopping! Find your Wedding Gown… Have your eye on a specific wedding dress or designer? You don’t have to rush to try on dresses just yet, however, you may want to watch for trunk show schedules to see when they’ll be in town (or where you’d have to travel to) and how much of a discount you can score on the new collection. Don’t forget to make an appointment to go try on wedding gowns. We also advise you allow at least 9 months in case you need to order your dress and then alterations to follow. Your consultant will advise you on each designers shipping timeline. A little hint, January is the best time to buy your dress. The sales are on and new designs are out. Enjoy the shopping!!
Plan An Engagement Party..
Traditionally the brides parents plan the engagement party, but friends of the couple and other relatives may want to plan the party as well. Some couples opt to have two parties; one for family and close family friends and one with the couples friends and coworkers. Either way, just make sure to do whatever fits the personality of your relationship.
Relax… Do something fun, just the two of you. Whatever you enjoy doing together. Wedding planning can be insanely stressful from the beginning, so try to find the humor in things and take some time to laugh, reconnect, and remember why you’re getting hitched in the first place.
Wedding planning does not have to be stressful at all. It can be a fun experience as you plan the most important day of your life! We at Two Girls in Pearls Events can guide you through the wedding planning process effortlessly and seamless. We work with professional vendors that we know will match your personality. We work tirelessly to execute the wedding of your dreams starting with a complimentary consultation to learn all about you and your amazing fiancé. We are still booking for 2021 and into 2022.
From Day of Management to Full Planning, Destination Weddings and even Micro Weddings. Ask us about Sequel Weddings!
