10 Things To Do Right After You Get Engaged
10 IMPORTANT Things To Do After Getting Engaged
January 20, 2020
This post is all about things you should be doing after getting engaged, other than celebrating of course!
Woohoo! Congratulations if you're in the exciting and equally stressful engagement season. I'm sure your life has been filled with questions, photos, happy tears, and all of the congratulations! Getting engaged is such a rush, one minute he's your boyfriend, and the next minute you are planning your forever. No pressure, right?!
Thirty seconds after getting engaged it can feel like all of the pressure of planning has begun. People will ask if you've set a date, what colors scheme you're thinking about, who your bridesmaids are going to be. It can be overwhelming. So after all of the excitement and celebrations die down a bit where's a girl to start?!
Here are a few things to do right after getting engaged (aside from celebrating and taking a million pictures):
1. Brain Dump
The pressure of planning can begin 30 seconds after he proposes, so give yourself some time to dump all of those thoughts on paper so you can see them. Seeing them on paper can help minimize the stress because they're not just thoughts floating in the air, but are tangible tasks you can start to tackle.
Literally write EVERYTHING, all of the worries, all of the fears, all of the excitement, and all of the to-dos. Once you have them written down decide which ones are urgent and important, tackle those first, and then put the rest of the to-dos in your calendar.
2. Write Thank-You Notes as Quickly as You Can
These bad boys can rack up quickly! One of the best pieces of advice I received was to write your thank-you notes as cards and gifts come in, instead of letting them pile up. It is going to be a continuous task until after you get married. So set one day a week to write thank you notes for the gifts you received that week and stay consistent. Let the people who love you know you're thankful for them and their thoughtful gifts.
3. Soak it Up, Girl
The engagement season can get so busy and can easily get lost if you're not intentional about it. So seriously go sit outside or in your favorite cozy spot by yourself with a bridal magazine, scroll through Pinterest and giggle at the new diamond on your finger! YOU'RE FRICKEN ENGAGED, take some time for yourself!
4. Get Your Ring Sized and Insured
Your engagement ring is one of your most treasured items and something that you'll wear forever, so make sure to get it insured in case something happens to it. If your ring doesn't fit properly, take it to your jeweler to get it sized. You should be able to put it on and take it off with some resistance.
5. Pick Your Date(s)
Your wedding date is going to drive every other decision you make, so it is important to pick it early on. Once you have this date all the other planning is a green light! Here are a few questions to consider when picking your date:
Do you want a long or short engagement?
What venue or type of venue are you looking at?
Are you thinking of a destination wedding?
What season do you want to get married in?
Are there any guests that need to be there, but their schedules won't work in a specific season?
What months are going to affect the price the most? July, August, and September are peak wedding months, so prices might be the highest during this time.
6. Define "Wedding Budget"
This is another decision that is going to drive a lot of other choices you will make in the wedding planning process. Who is going to contribute to the wedding budget? Your family? His family? Will you and your fiance? A combination of both? This question should be answered by everyone so you have a defined number of what you’re working with.
What elements of your wedding matter the most to you? It could be the venue, the photographer, the flowers, your dress. Once you decide on your non-negotiables it will be easier to make decisions on the lower priority things, like the cake or favors.
It's important to remember that while it is a special day that you will remember forever it is a day and your marriage and relationships matter more than all of the perfect details.
7. Decide on an Organizational Platform
There are so many helpful resources to keep you organized and on track while planning. Whether you're wanting a more traditional route with a physical wedding planner or need something a bit more tech savvy and versatile like a website or online account, the options are endless! Once you pick a platform stick to that method and pick a day to organize your to-do's for the week and the upcoming month. I loved using theknot.com.
8. Talk About and Set Expectations and Rolls
This is a big process and everyone is going to be excited and want to be involved, but sometimes less is more.
Who is going to help YOU make the decisions? Who is going to overwhelm you? If your future hubby is going to help what tasks are his responsibility? Who's opinions are going to be most valuable to you? How can you stand your ground when you make a decision not everyone in your family supports?
Understanding these answers is important to minimize your stress.
9. Start Making Your Guest List
There's no need to sit down and write down the name of every person you know right away. Casually, keep a note on your phone of people you want to invite to your wedding as they come up in your head. It will be a good foundation for when you're ready to get your final list together.
10. Start Preparing for your Marriage
All of this planning is for one day, however, your marriage is going to be for the rest of your life. Take some time to work on it, to build it and to find resources that will help you battle. It is important to prepare your relationship for the joys and challenges that are to come. Take a marital preparation class at your church, ask a married couple you know to help counsel you through a book or resource, or read a book on marriage. Focus on your marriage as well as the wedding day.
I can't believe Jamie and I got engaged a year ago today, the time has gone by so quickly. Enjoy this wedding planning process and check-in with yourself every once in a while! It's okay to take a break and breathe. Have fun and enjoy this busy, exciting season of life!
This post was all about important things you should be doing after getting engaged.
