You’ve Got the Ring! Now What?
Congratulations on getting engaged! You’ve found your person, and now you’ve got the ring to prove it. It’s time to start planning your wedding! YAY! (Or so you thought, right?)
The first few months of being engaged are full of excitement. You can’t stop staring at your sparkly new ring and daydreaming about your big day. But as any past bride will tell you, that honeymoon phase can quickly give way to emotions like excitement, confusion, overwhelm, and—let’s face it—a bit of fear. Wedding planning can be a lot! So, let’s break it down with the top three things you should do right after getting engaged.
1. Set Your Budget (I Know, I Know…)
It’s probably the most dreaded part of wedding planning, but trust me, getting your budget sorted early on will set you up for success. Here's why: without a clear budget, it’s easy to get lost in the excitement and end up spending more than you expected. So, let’s tackle it head-on.
Ask yourselves these key questions:
Who’s paying for the wedding? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Will you and your partner cover the entire cost, or will your families contribute? Be honest and realistic about your financial situation.
What’s included in the budget? Wedding expenses can quickly add up. Are you including everything—dress, food and drink, venue, invitations, honeymoon, etc.? Make sure you know exactly what your budget covers so you’re not caught off guard later.
Is your budget flexible? Flexibility can mean different things to different couples. For instance, if you have a hard cap on your budget for food and beverage, but you find a venue you absolutely love, are you willing to make adjustments? Or maybe your parents are willing to pitch in more than initially planned. Understanding where your budget can stretch (or where it can’t) will help you stay on track throughout the planning process.
2. Find a Wedding Planner
Yes, I’m biased here (I’m a wedding planner, after all!), but hiring a planner will save you so much time, stress, and confusion. Once you have your budget in place, a wedding planner can guide you in the right direction, ensuring you’re spending your money wisely on what matters most to you.
A good wedding planner can also help you prioritize the aspects of your wedding that are most important to you—whether it’s the food, the venue, or the photography—while helping you find vendors who fit your budget. And don’t forget, they have a plan for everything. From timelines to vendor management to contingency plans, they know exactly how to keep everything on track.
For example, we take our clients through a simple three-phase planning process that breaks everything down into manageable steps. This approach helps eliminate overwhelm, ensures you stay organized, and makes the whole experience enjoyable. After all, it’s your big day!
3. Choose Your Venue
Now, the real fun begins! Selecting your wedding venue is one of the most exciting—and pivotal—steps in your planning process. Once you’ve secured your venue, everything else starts to fall into place. You’ll have a clear vision of your wedding style, colors, and flow, which makes it much easier to pick complementary details.
Because you’ve already determined your budget and enlisted the help of a wedding planner, you’ll have a better sense of which venues fit within your financial plan. Your planner can also provide you with a list of venues that align with your vision and guide you through the booking process.
In Summary:
You’ve found your person, said “Yes!” to the ring, and now you’re ready to start planning. By following these steps—setting a realistic budget, hiring a wedding planner, and choosing a venue—you’ll lay a strong foundation for a smooth, stress-free planning process and, ultimately, a memorable wedding day.
So, are you ready to dive into the fun? Connect with us to start planning your dream wedding!
