The First Steps: 8 Post-Engagement Activities to Start Your Wedding Planning!

So you just got engaged. Now what? Here are 8 first steps to help you get started on planning your big day!

1: Announce Your Engagement

You’re engaged! Spend a little time enjoying just being engaged. And most importantly, tell your loved ones! Be sure to call your closest family and friends to tell them personally before announcing on social media or sending out engagement announcements.

2: Look at the Big Picture

Formulate a broad idea of what you and your partner want in a wedding. Do you want a big party, or a small gathering of only your closest loved ones? Are you interested in eloping? Do you want an indoor or outdoor ceremony? Destination or local? Have a conversation to talk through these big-picture questions before you do anything else. You don’t have to have all the answers right now, but you should at least have an idea of what you want!

3: Get Inspired

Have some fun with the wedding planning process! Before you dig into the details, find some inspiration. Look online and in bridal magazines. Create a Pinterest board! Just figure out what you like, and what you don’t.

4: Choose Your Budget

Do you know how much you can afford to spend on your wedding? Spend some time figuring out what you’re willing to invest in your big day, and write that number down! This will inform your choices as you get into the details of planning.

5: Hire a Wedding Planner (if your budget allows)

A wedding planner is a real life-saver! They’ll take the stress out of planning so you can focus on the joy of the occasion. Your wedding planner will also ensure that you get your dream wedding without going over your budget! If you choose not to hire a planner, consider designating a trusted friend to sit in on your planning sessions and serve as your day-of coordinator.

6: Choose Your Date

Picking the right wedding date is important. It will be a day that you celebrate for the rest of your lives. Consider any other big life events that may happen during your wedding year. Will you be finishing a degree at the end of May? That may mean you don’t want to choose the first week of June. Are the holidays an especially busy or stressful time for you? Keep that in mind while picking the date. Consider the weather. If you’re having an outdoor ceremony here in North Carolina, you may want to avoid the height of summer!

7: Choose Your Venue

Your venue will set the vibe for your wedding! Take your time on this step. Research online and read lots of reviews. Schedule tours of the venues that stand out to you. Ask a lot of questions. Do they allow you to choose your own vendors, or are they all-inclusive? Will they allow outside catering or alcohol? How late will they allow you to stay? How early can you set up? What amenities do they provide? Do they have any discounts that may apply to you?

8: Choose Your Wedding Party

The wedding party is a special part of your big day. They’ll be by your side through the rehearsal, bachelorette/bachelor celebrations, as you get ready on your wedding day, as you say your vows, and as you celebrate at your reception. So choose the people you love most!