{"id":575687,"date":"2023-11-18T22:00:12","date_gmt":"2023-11-19T04:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/?p=575687"},"modified":"2024-07-23T15:51:21","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T20:51:21","slug":"recently-engaged-start-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/recently-engaged-start-here\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things To Do Right After You Get Engaged"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Image by Lauren Nicole Photo<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

If you’re reading this it means that you’ve recently said “yes” to the person of your dreams. First things first–congratulations on getting engaged! While you may still be floating on cloud nine, we know that you’ve got work to do and we’re here to help make the most of your engagement. Below, you’ll find ten things to do right after saying “yes”—from spreading the news to finding your wedding vendors.<\/a> Follow these ten steps, and you’ll be set up for wedding planning<\/a> success.<\/p>\n

10 Things to Do After You Get Engaged<\/h2>\n

1. Take The Time To Soak Up Being Engaged <\/span><\/h3>\n

Trust us, we know how tempting it may be to run right to social media<\/a> after getting engaged. But before shouting it from the rooftops, take the time to soak it in, just the two of you. You’re going to want to remember this love-drunk high. Pop a bottle of champagne or enjoy a celebratory dinner and dessert–do whatever makes you happy and revel in your love.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Image by Hennessy Photo Co.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

2. Announce Your Engagement<\/span><\/h3>\n

Unless you’re planning on keeping your engagement under wraps for a while, call your family and friends to let them know about the exciting news! They’ll be so happy you took the time to let them know before updating your social media. It can be helpful to make a list of everyone who needs to know before the Internet does to avoid any hurt feelings. However, at the end of the day, it’s your engagement. Don’t stress out about who to\/not to tell. It’s your news to share with whoever you want.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Reading: <\/strong>Creative Engagement Announcements<\/a><\/p>\n

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Image by Map + Compass Photography<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

3. You’re Engaged, Now Plan An Engagement Party <\/span><\/h3>\n

After saying “Yes!” you’re probably ready to jump into planning your dream wedding. But first, celebrate being engaged. Think champagne, loved ones, and a whole lot of congratulations. That’s right– we’re talking about your <\/span>engagement party<\/span><\/a>. Being the first of many pre-wedding parties, it’s the perfect way to kick off your wedding planning season. Once you’ve got the deets for the party figured out, it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to wear. Luckily, we’ve rounded up some gorgeous engagement party dresses<\/a> that will help you feel like a soon-to-be newlywed.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Start Dreaming About Your Wedding<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before you start crossing things off of your wedding planning checklist<\/a>, you’ve got some daydreaming to do. Maybe you’ve been planning your wedding your entire life, or maybe it has never crossed your mind. No matter which boat you are in, we recommend starting by creating a wedding mood board<\/a> to help you nail down your style. You’ll get a better understanding of what color palettes<\/a> you love, what floral arrangements<\/a> pique your interest, what decor<\/a> you lean toward, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t stress if you’re not sure what your wedding style should be. Hiring a great wedding planner<\/a> can help you have the wedding of your dreams, even if you’re not sure what that looks like yet. These important questions to ask before you start wedding planning<\/a> will be a big help too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Set Your Wedding Budget<\/span><\/h3>\n

Setting a budget<\/a> may not sound like a lot of fun, but it’s an important step to cross off your list early in the wedding planning process. We know how overwhelming it can feel. That’s why we’ve created a budget tool<\/a> that will get your finances in order for your special day.<\/p>\n

While working on your budget, remember that there are most likely going to be unexpected wedding expenses<\/a> that might take you by surprise. Plan for them early, and you won’t have to worry about sacrificing your dream wedding reception<\/a> or live music<\/a> to make room in your budget for them.<\/p>\n

Still unsure of how to tailor a budget that’s right for you? Check out our wedding budget guide<\/a> for you and your partner. And if you’re curious about planning a destination wedding, here’s a budget breakdown<\/a> of how much it costs to have a destination wedding.<\/p>\n

6. Take Engagement Photos<\/span><\/h3>\n

Now that you’ve got those steps taken care of, it’s engagement photo time. Take your engagement photos as early as possible so you can include a photo or two on your save-the-date cards<\/a>. Hiring a professional photographer<\/a> will help capture this special chapter of your lives. It’s over before you know it, so trust us when we say you’re going to want to capture these memories.<\/p>\n

Hate the idea of being in front of the camera? We get it. These tips for nailing your engagement photos<\/a> will help you feel more comfortable and ready to strike a pose. Bonus: our first tip is to wear an outfit that makes you feel confident. We’ve got outfit ideas for every summer–spring<\/a>, summer<\/a>, fall<\/a>, and winter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Image by Rouse & Fable<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

7. Create A Guest List<\/span><\/h3>\n

After you set a wedding budget, it’s time to sit down and create your guest list<\/a>. You will want this guest list prior to meeting with venues<\/a> and caterers<\/a>, as it will determine what you’ll be able to afford and what type of venue will work best for your guest count<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If, once you’ve created your initial guest list, you need to trim it down, we’ve got you covered. Check out our handy tips for trimming your guest list<\/a>—and see what the benefits of hosting a smaller wedding are. No matter what, never feel guilty about your guest list<\/a>. It’s your special day, and you want to surround yourself with the ones who matter most.<\/p>\n

Once the list has been finalized, use our wedding guest list tool<\/a> to keep track of everyone’s email address, home address, phone number, dietary restrictions, and more.<\/p>\n

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Image by MC Wedding<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

8. Choose A Venue And Set A Date<\/span><\/h3>\n

You know your guest count and budget, now it’s time to start the venue search. Start by considering questions like whether or not you want a local or destination wedding<\/a>. Do you want to be indoors or outdoors? Are you going to host your ceremony<\/a> and reception in the same space? These are things you’ll need to consider yourselves before you begin searching.<\/p>\n

Once you start touring venues, it’s very important that you ask the venues questions<\/a> to ensure that you know what to expect at your wedding. A few questions that we think you can’t forget are:<\/p>\n