Five Things to Do Once You Get Engaged
So, the question was raised, and you said yes…now what? Your mind is probably racing, the elation and joy you feel combined with an astute sense of angst.
What now? What’s the next step? Where do I even start?
Firstly, remember to cherish the moment…and breathe. You’re engaged! Take a minute to appreciate the present and know that with the right guidance, you can tackle the blow-by-blows of the near future with ease.
That being said, it’s best to take things one at a time to stay balanced and sane during a time of potential challenges.
Here’s what we recommend…
1) Get A Manicure!
This might sound like an odd first choice but trust us. Your hand is about to be the subject of a lot of photos and constant attention: “Ooh, let me see that ring!”. So don’t embarrass yourself with some chipped, unpolished hot mess of a hand. Get a mani, professional or at home, as soon as possible. Even if it seems like a small thing, getting it done will help to put your mind at ease as well. 2) Insure Your Ring
This might not sound like the most romantic step on your planning checklist, but if your fiancé hasn’t done it already, you need to insure your engagement ring immediately. The jeweler who purchased it should refer you to certified insurers. Don’t forget to ask the jeweler for an appraisal slip which will be used to determine its value. We recommend going through Jewlers mutual if you would rather purchase insurance on your own. 
3) Settle On A Budget
Whoever is bankrolling your wedding — whether it’s you, your fiancé, your partners parents, or yours — needs to sit down and have that uber-awkward, but essential conversation about the wedding budget, including a specific number. Keep all family relationships intact by minding this budget down to the last red cent. (To get you started, grab your PRINTABLE PDF budget worksheet here!)
4) Pick A Date & Location
You’ll need to know the date – or at the very least the season/month – of your wedding before making many other important decisions (like picking your gown, theme, bridesmaid dresses, etc.). The location — city and venue — is the most significant decision you’ll make for the wedding, so it’s better to get this discussion started as soon as possible. All parties involved (i.e. partners family and yours) will have an opinion about where you should be married, so hear all sides, consider the season, theme, and budget, and settle on a venue that works best for you and your guests.
5) Hire A Wedding Planner
Listen, I don’t care how Type-A, organized, rockstar you are — you’re going to need a wedding planner. At the very, very least an event manager to help run things day-of, but I highly recommend hiring someone to help you for the long haul. Contrary to popular belief, your wedding planner or coordinator should be one of the very first vendors you hire. You might think that finding the venue is the highest priority, and it certainly is important, but a good wedding planner can drastically reduce the frustration that can come with trying to find your ideal location. A true professional planner or coordinator will have resources and community available to help you find great deals, professional and proficient vendors, and more! If you could save $2,000.00 on your photographer and have a top-of-the-line photographer who is professional and prompt, and fits you and your partner’s personality, wouldn’t you snag it?? This is what planners do for their clients, they make those connections, so you don’t have to spend hours on Google searching for your “perfect match” vendor. Hopefully this gives you some ideas about what to do next. But if you only take one piece of advice from this, remember to take it one step at a time. Planning a wedding doesn’t have to be an anxiety-fueled, overwhelming nightmare. Take a breath, gather your support system, and tackle your checklist with confidence!
