We're engaged! What now?

Maybe you’ve had your entire wedding planned out in your mind (or your Pinterest board) since you were 12. You might even know the venue or some vendors you want to hire and you’re just READDDDY to get started planning. However, no matter how ready you are, there are some things you should do before you get elbows deep in planning. Here’s my list of things to do IMMEDIATELY after getting engaged. It is engagement season after all :)

1)      Take some time to be alone with your future spouse before telling anyone the big news.

I don’t mean book a vacation or even “go away together.” I mean taking a few moments or an evening to soak it al in and just relish alone together in the fact that you’ve found YOUR person. This is SUCH beautiful time for the two of you- soak it up together before sharing it with the world. When my husband proposed, he did it very publicly at a Virginia Tech tailgate before a game. Our friends were all witnesses and videoed it for us. However, despite it being a public affair, we still went and had dinner alone before we began telling other family and friends (including our parents) and I’ll never  forget that time.

2)      Make a list of everyone you need to tell before it pops up on social media.

The worst way for someone close to you to find out this big news is by scrolling on their newsfeed on Facebook or Instagram. Through all the excitement of it all, you might forget someone important. To avoid this- make a list. This also goes along with- DO NOT post on social media the second it happens. You do not want your close friends, siblings or especially parents finding out that way. Make a list of all your VIPs and call them each individually. You’ll have to do this quickly as news travels fast and if you can avoid it, you probably don’t want people finding out who you told first. Another reminds- as you’re telling all these important people- do not start picking your wedding party right off the bat, that comes a little later, trust me. For now, just tell everyone you guys are getting married and that details will be announced later.

3)      Don’t feel like you have to start planning immediately…

Most engagements are 6 months- 2 years and some are longer. A typical wedding start to finish takes about 8 months to a year to plan for most couples. This doesn’t mean you have to jump on planning right away. You can just enjoy being engaged for a while or if you’re in school, want to buy a house etc. you can do that before you begin planning. Many couples opt for longer engagements because life happens and to save up enough for the kind of wedding they want. It’s a truly personal choice. If you’re just ready to tie the knot now and want to do a big celebration later- you can do that too.

4)      When you are ready to begin planning: BUDGET

When you and your soon to be hubby or wifey are ready to plan this shin dig, you really MUST figure out what you plan to spend. I have a whole blog post dedicated to how to formulate your wedding budget. This is truly a must-do before booking vendors. You don’t want to book an expensive venue and then not be able to afford anything else. This is also where considering hiring a planner could come in handy as well. We offer budget analysis as part of our planning services.

This is just a brief list of the top 4 things I believe you should do ASAP after getting engaged. Everyone’s idea of engagements and marriage are different and I have yet to meet two couples that are the same or see two weddings that are the same. Do things at YOUR pace on YOUR terms and don’t let the influence of bridal magazines and websites intimidate you. When it gets to be a little much for you, we are just an email awa. Tatiana@simplycharmedevents.com

Happy engagement (I mean, holiday) season!

Tatiana Carter