You’re engaged! Cue the confetti! We’d like to welcome you to the beloved and exhilarating club of “brides-to-be.” I’m guessing the excitement is at an all-time high and you can’t quit staring at the gorgeous new accessory on your left hand! (oh, hellooooo shiny new diamond!). You also may be realizing you’re not sure where to start when it comes to planning your wedding celebration, but the following tips can help guide you to an easy start to wedding planning journey.

If the people who love you haven’t started asking you questions about the wedding that you don’t have planned yet, consider yourself lucky because they will (soon). For whatever reason, it seems that people don’t know what to say following an engagement except “Congratulations — when’s the wedding and do you have your dress picked out?” Take it from us, it’s okay to not have answers. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your wedding plans won’t be either. So, take a big breath. Keep staring at that beautiful new ring and handsome fiance of yours. And take baby steps towards the big goal.

Here are the first five things you should do following your engagement.

Excited couple getting engaged

Insure your bling!
A quick call to your insurance agent can ensure that your new most precious piece of jewelry is looked out for in case it is lost or damaged.
Compare family calendars to find dates that work
Checking with each of your families for dates that will not work in the next 12-24 months will help narrow down to a selection of dates that will work. Then, you can start searching within your available date options for THE date.
Solicit date availability from the venues you love
Once you’ve got a window of dates for your preferred season, reach out to the venues you are most excited about to inquire about their availability and pricing.
Hire a wedding planner
Finding an experienced professional who can maximize your budget according to your priorities, connect you with trusted, reputable vendors, and be your guiding light throughout the wild and wonderful adventure that is wedding planning will no doubt make the process much more enjoyable and manageable for you, your fiance, and your families. Curious about what this process looks like? Check out this info on the wedding planning process.
Discuss expectations in planning with your future spouse
Have a conversation about what is most important to each of you about your wedding, who will be involved in what planning aspects, and how you will plan for your marriage too. Remember, your engagement is a time to plan for your marriage, not just a wedding. 🙂