Congratulations! He popped the question, and you said “yes!” But now, what do you do? Should you jump right into wedding plans, or take the time to enjoy your engagement? While there are lots of things in the coming months to think about and plan, here are nine things you should do, right after your engagement to begin your journey into wedded bliss.
Celebrate!
Saying “yes” is a pretty big deal for you and your new fiancé. Before you jump into sharing the news, setting dates, having parties, take some time to celebrate, just the two of you. Maybe that means a nice dinner and a bottle of champagne, or perhaps a weekend getaway to share time with together. If you are already on vacation, perhaps drinks on the beach, a special dinner, or an excursion to a romantic local attraction. Whatever you decide, take the time to have a private celebration, for just you and him. The next few months will be a whirlwind of activity, and you will be glad you took that quiet time together.
Share the News
Maybe you want to wait a few days, or you are ready to let the world know immediately of your engagement. Whatever your preference, make sure that you start by sharing with your parents, siblings and other close family. These are the people that have supported you through your life, so make sure they get the good news first, and especially before you go posting the details on social media. If you are on vacation, and can’t wait to get home before sharing your good news, the same rule applies; call or if you have access to Wi-Fi, Facetime or Skype your parents and family first, then you can feel free to share with the world!
Have a Party
You and your fiancé have taken the time to celebrate alone, now it’s time to include your friends and family in the party. Arrange for a simple gathering to celebrate your engagement. It can be disguised as a holiday party, a day watching your favorite sport, or a backyard cook out, if you don’t want to make a big production. If you live for the party, this is a great reason to go all out and plan a great bash. Just remember, if you invite someone to your engagement party, you should invite them to your wedding as well.
Insure Your Ring
Your engagement ring is the one piece of jewelry that you will wear for the rest of your life. Make sure that it is insured against loss, damage or theft. Sit down with your insurance agent and see what your options are. You may be able to add a rider to your existing homeowners or renters insurance, or you may need a separate policy. To make this process quick and easy, make sure that you get an appraisal of your ring by a certified gemologist.
Set a Budget
No, it’s not very romantic, but neither is starting your life with a load of debt. Even if your parents are paying the bills, make sure that you sit down and figure out your budget. Once you know the numbers, don’t stray away. This will be one of the most important details that will guide your wedding plans, so take the time to discuss the reality of what a practical wedding budget looks like for you, your fiancé, and your family.
Draft a Guest List
Start thinking about who you want to share your big day with. If you both want lots of guests, this will play into that budget you just set. Remember, the initial guest list may be big, but as you plan, work with details within the limits of your budget, this list may change. Don’t feel bad if you cannot include everyone. However, make sure that the people who are invited to pre-wedding parties and events are included on the final guest list.
Think About the Big Picture
The little details will evolve through your planning, but before you jump into the details, think about the big picture. What do you want your day to feel like? Do you love a particular color? Is there a place that you’ve always dreamed of getting married? Is there a venue that represents your relationship the best? These are all good questions to ask yourself as you start thinking about what you want your wedding day to look like.
Pick Your Venue
This is where the details start. Many popular venues will book a year or more in advance, especially on holidays and long weekends, so if you have a particular spot where you want to celebrate, contact them as soon as possible for their availability.
Discuss the Date
You and your fiancé may have a date that is special, perhaps the day of your first date, or maybe you want to get married one year from your engagement date. Perhaps you don’t have a particular day, but love a season or holiday. Take the time to discuss your preferences, discuss with family for their availability, and then make sure that you book that date as soon as possible with your venue.
Now that you have taken time to celebrate your engagement and have taken care of the big planning items, you can start the process of planning the details. Not sure where to start? Let the wedding professionals here at Hollywood Banquet Hall help you with all of your wedding plans.