You’re Engaged! What’s Next? : What To Do After Getting Engaged

Ahhh! You’re engaged to the love of your freakin’ life and it’s time to start planning your fairytale wedding, but where do you begin? From the food, to the dress, flowers, invitations and more — this can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. As a wedding photographer (and as someone who planned their own wedding) I’ve learned a lot over the years, so today I’ll help you start planning your wedding!

Savor the Moment 

The first thing you’ll want to do after getting engaged is take some time to soak it all in! This is such an exciting time in your lives. While all your relatives may be eager to hear your wedding planning news, take some time to relax and enjoy being engaged to the love of your life before all the wedding planning chaos begins. 

Create Your Budget 

Coming up with a budget can be a little tricky because it’s personal to you and your significant other. Start by discussing your vision for your day and then set expectations for costs by doing research for what venues and vendors cost in your area. Most importantly – decide on what wedding aspects are most important to you so you can allocate funds accordingly. 

Create a Draft of Your Guest List 

Before you tour venues, you’ll want to have an idea of how many guests will be attending. You’ll want to come up with a general number (no, you do not need to stick to this list) so that you can be assured that the venue can accommodate your wedding size or that you meet their minimum headcount for the space. 

Decide on Date

Choosing a date isn’t easy, but I put together a whole other blog on How to Pick a Wedding Date to help! There are many factors to consider when choosing the day, such as season and weather, financial situations and personal preferences. You’ll want to have a general idea in mind before you reach out to venues for their availability. 

Research Venues 

With a vision, guestlist, and budget in mind it’s time to start researching venues. Take a look at venues that align with your wants and needs, read reviews, check out their socials, and schedule a viewing! If you need help with venue recommendations in the Dallas Fort Worth area, don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Research Vendors 

Last, but certainly not least, it’s time to research and book your vendors! Once you have your date booked, reach out to vendors that are important to you so that they can lock in your date. Typical wedding vendors include: photographer/videographer (I can recommend a great one!), DJ  / band, florist, caterer, hair / makeup artist, and transportation.

If you follow the tips above, you should find wedding planning to be fun and exciting rather than overwhelming! Wedding planning means different things to different people, but at the end of the day it should be a fun experience for both you and your partner.

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