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Just got engaged? Congrats! Feeling thrilled but a bit lost about what’s next? This guide breaks down your essential steps, from enjoying the moment to planning your dream wedding. Let’s turn that “What now?” into “We’ve got this!” and start your exciting journey to “I do!“
Highlights
You’re engaged – congratulations! So, what comes next for your dream wedding? This simple guide shows you the key steps. We’ll talk about enjoying this special time, sharing your news, and doing the practical planning. This will make your journey to saying ‘I do’ fun and clear.
Here’s a closer look at what to do after saying “Yes!”:
Enjoy & Share: First, just enjoy being engaged! Then, tell your family and close friends your great news. After that, you can tell more people.
Dream About Your Day: Start dreaming together! Talk about what kind of wedding you want. Big or small? Old-style or new? Far away or in your town? Just get a basic idea.
Plan Your Money: Talk honestly about how much money you can spend. This, and making a first guest list, will help you make other choices.
Know the Rules: Learn about any rules for getting married, especially if it’s in another country. Also, think about wedding insurance. It can make you feel safer.
Choose Your Place & Date: Finding your wedding place is a big step! The place you choose will affect your date, how many guests can come, and how your wedding looks and feels. Book good places early!
Pick Your Helpers: Once you have a place and date, start picking important helpers like your photographer, flower person, food provider, and maybe a wedding planner. Always read papers (contracts) carefully before you sign.
Take Photos & Find Clothes: Think about an engagement photoshoot. It’s a nice way to celebrate and get used to having your picture taken. Also, start looking for your wedding clothes.
Think About Your Guests: Make things easy for your guests. A wedding website is good for sharing information, travel tips, and gift lists. Think about booking a group of hotel rooms.
Plan the Details: Make a detailed plan for the wedding day. Check everything with your helpers. Finish your seating plan. And plan who does what in your wedding group.
Now you have an idea of what’s next. Let’s look at each step more closely. We’ll help you make your wedding planning fun, clear, and nice. Your amazing journey from ‘yes’ to ‘I do’ starts now!
Full Article
You said “Yes!” So, what comes next on your wedding journey?
The ring is on your finger, you’ve shared happy news – you’re engaged! Big congratulations! But with all the great happiness and many happy tears, you might ask, “What now?” It’s very normal to feel excited and maybe a little unsure where to start. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place.
This guide will show you what you need to know after getting engaged. We’ll talk about enjoying this special time, telling everyone your good news, starting to think about your wedding style, handling practical things like money and guest lists, understanding any rules, choosing your place and great helpers (like us!), planning for lovely engagement photos, and finally, making sure your guests have a wonderful time as you plan your perfect day.
We are Silvia and Marco, wedding photographers who travel in Italy and Europe. Through our studio, CoscarellaPhoto, we’ve helped many couples go through these exciting first steps. We’re here to help you on your path from “yes” to “I do”!
The Engagement Experience & Initial Steps
The time right after getting engaged is truly wonderful. Before you start planning quickly, there are a few important things to do. This will help you enjoy this unique period and start your wedding plans in a good way.
Enjoying This Special Time: Relax After Your Engagement
Really, the very first thing to do after getting engaged is… to just relax! Yes, don’t think about wedding plans just yet. Take a deep breath, look at that beautiful ring, and just be with your partner. Talk about the proposal, laugh, share happy tears, and let the feeling sink in. This is a feeling you’ll only have once. Go for a special meal, have a quiet weekend, or just enjoy being together. This special private time is very important, so keep it for yourselves. You’ll have lots of time for the “what to do after engagement” questions later; for now, just enjoy it all.
Sharing the News: Telling People & Early Celebrations
After you’ve had some quiet time, you’ll want to share your great news! Think about who you want to tell first – usually, close family and best friends get a personal phone call or visit. Then, you can decide how and when to tell more people, maybe with a nice post online. Many couples ask what to do after getting engaged about parties. This could be a quick, unplanned get-together with people you love, some casual drinks, or even a more official engagement party later on. Let your celebrations be about you as a couple! And if you’re already thinking of saving these happy memories, you can check out our Wedding Stories for some lovely ideas.
Thinking About Your Dream: First Ideas for Wedding Vision & Style
Now that everyone knows, it’s time to start dreaming! What kind of wedding do you imagine? Big, small, classic, modern, an adventure somewhere far away, or a cozy wedding in your hometown? This is a fun time when you and your partner can talk about what you definitely must have and start looking for ideas. Don’t worry too much about small things yet; just get a general idea. Answering “what do you do after you get engaged?” often begins with this big talk. Knowing your general vision will also help when you think about your wedding photos. You might find it helpful to explore “4 Different Wedding Photography Styles for Your Big Day” to see what fits your dream.
What To Do After Getting Engaged: Getting the Basics Ready
Now that your first ideas are growing, it’s time to think about some practical things. These basic steps are very important for easy planning and help answer the “what to do after getting engaged” question with clear things to do.
The Starting Point: Money & Guest List Plans
Okay, let’s talk about two big things: money and the guest list. These usually go together and are probably among the first 5 things to do after getting engaged when you start planning. Sit down together and talk honestly about how much money you can spend and who you really want to be there to celebrate with you. This might mean talking with family if they are helping with costs.
Starting with a general idea of your budget and a first guest list will really affect your choice of place and other helpers. If you’re looking for ways to make your money go further, think about looking into “Cheap Wedding Reception Ideas: Save Big on Your Big Day” or even “How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost? Pricing Guide” to see how different things fit your budget.
Making it Real (and Safe): Rules & Insurance
It might not be the most exciting part of wedding planning, but knowing the rules for getting married where you choose is very important, especially if you’re thinking about a wedding in another country. For example, if you dream of an Italian wedding, you might want to know “How to Get Married in Italy as an American: Simple Steps“. Also, think about wedding insurance. It might seem like extra money, but it can make you feel calm, protecting your money if unexpected things happen. Finishing these tasks early is a smart move after getting engaged.
Building Your Wedding Day
This is when your dream starts to come true! Choosing your place, date, and main helpers are exciting important steps after getting engaged. These choices will affect your whole wedding day.
Finding Your Place: Choosing a Venue & Setting the Date
Finding the perfect place is often one of the most important jobs after getting engaged. Your venue will affect your date (check if it’s free!), how many guests you can have, and the general look and feel of your wedding. Start looking for places that fit your ideas and budget. Visit your top choices if you can. Once you’ve found the right one, book your date! Popular places and dates can get reserved very early, sometimes a year or more ahead, so this is important. This step truly makes your wedding feel real and is a big part of what to do after engagement.
Choosing Your Helpers: Hiring Planners & Main Vendors (and Contracts)
With a place and date, you can start choosing your perfect group of wedding helpers! This includes your photographer (that’s us!), flower person, food provider, music, and maybe a wedding planner. Look for helpers whose style matches yours and who you feel comfortable with – you’ll work closely with them! Always read contracts carefully before you sign them.
Many couples ask us what to do after getting engaged about photos, and we always say to book early, especially for popular dates. If you want to know about how we work, check out our About – Candid Wedding Photographer in Italy and Europe page to learn more about us, and think about “Why Every Couple Needs a Professional Wedding Photographer.“
Looking Good: Engagement Photos & Wedding Clothes
An engagement photoshoot is a great idea after getting engaged! It’s a lovely way to celebrate this special time, feel good having your picture taken before the wedding, and get some beautiful photos for your save-the-date cards or wedding website. We love taking these pictures; take a peek at some Rome Engagement Photographer for Your Proposal sessions for ideas. And, of course, the search for wedding clothes begins! Whether it’s a dress, a suit, or something special and different, give yourself plenty of time for shopping, trying things on, and changes. Many couples find this to be one of the most fun parts of the process after getting engaged.
Finalising Details & The Guest Experience
As your wedding day gets closer, you’ll focus on making the small things perfect and making sure your guests have a great time. Knowing what do you do after you get engaged about these things will help make a smooth and unforgettable party.
Thinking About Your Guests: Information, Website, Gifts & Hotels
Think about your guests’ experience from beginning to end. A wedding website is a good way to share information about the schedule, travel, hotels, and your gift list (if you have one). Clear communication is key! If you’re sending out official invitations, you might find some ideas in “Easy Ideas: How to Make Wedding Invitations You’ll Love“. Think about reserving a group of hotel rooms if many guests are coming from far away. Making things easy and clear for your guests is a kind thing to do after getting engaged and while you plan.
Planning the Day Itself: Schedule, and Important People
This is where everything connects. Work on a detailed wedding day schedule, confirm plans with all your helpers, and finish your table plan. Think about special roles: who will be in your wedding party? If you need tips, check out “How to Ask Someone to Be Your Bridesmaid? Simple Steps“. Think about decorations, the person who will lead your ceremony, and any special things your family or culture does. Talking openly with your families at this stage is also very helpful. These final steps are very important when figuring out what to do after getting engaged to make sure you have a smooth and happy celebration.
Your Adventure Awaits!
Wow! That might seem like a lot, but remember, planning your wedding after getting engaged is something to enjoy step by step, not rush. Take it one step at a time, enjoy it, and focus on creating a day that truly shows who you both are as a couple. From enjoying those first moments to figuring out the big plan and all the lovely details, knowing what to do after getting engaged can turn worry into excitement.
We hope this guide has given you a clearer idea of what’s next. If you’re looking for photographers to capture your wonderful wedding story in Italy or Europe, we’d love to talk. You can contact us through our website – the link is also at the bottom of the page. Congratulations again on your engagement! This is such an exciting time in your lives!
SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the first things to do right after I get engaged?
The very first thing is to relax and enjoy this special time with your new fiancé or fiancée! Before any wedding planning, just enjoy the happiness and let yourself feel it all.
Who should I tell first that I'm engaged?
It’s a good idea to tell your closest family and best friends first. You can call or visit them to share your exciting news before you tell other people or post online.
How do we decide on our wedding style and vision?
Start by talking with your partner about your dreams for the wedding. Think about if you want it big or small, simple or fancy. Just get a basic idea of what you both like.
Should we get engagement photos taken?
Yes, engagement photos are a wonderful idea! They let you celebrate, practice being in front of the camera, and give you beautiful pictures for save-the-date cards or your wedding website.
What is wedding insurance, and is it necessary?
Wedding insurance helps protect your money if something unexpected happens with your wedding plans. It’s a good idea to think about getting it so you can feel more calm and secure.
Do I have to post my engagement on social media?
No, you don’t have to post your engagement online. Sharing on social media is your choice. Decide what feels right for you after you’ve told your closest family and friends personally.
When is the best time to have an engagement party?
There isn’t one perfect time! Some couples have a party soon after getting engaged, others wait a bit. Choose a time that feels joyful and works well for you and your families.
Who should we invite to our engagement party?
Most often, couples invite close family and good friends to their engagement party. It’s usually a smaller group of people than for the wedding, just those you want to share this early celebration with.
When do we need to know our final wedding guest count?
You’ll have an early idea of guest numbers when you start planning. The final, exact count is usually needed closer to the wedding day, often when your venue or food provider requests it.
How long are engagements usually?
Engagements can be short or long – there’s no set rule! Some plan their wedding in months, others take a year or more. Choose an amount of time that feels right and comfortable for you.
When is a good time to do an engagement photoshoot?
A few months after getting engaged is often a great time. This way, you can use the photos for save-the-date cards and you’re still enjoying that special, newly-engaged excitement.
When should save-the-date cards be sent?
Send save-the-date cards about 6 to 8 months before your wedding. For weddings in far places or on holidays, sending them 9 to 12 months ahead is better for your guests.
What’s the best way to handle wedding advice we didn’t ask for?
You can listen politely and say, “Thank you for the suggestion.” Remember, it’s your wedding, so you only need to use the ideas that feel right for you and your partner.
Should we send thank you notes for engagement gifts?
Yes, it’s a very thoughtful gesture to send thank you notes for any engagement gifts you receive. A simple, kind note showing you appreciate their gift will mean a lot to the giver.
How can we reduce stress while planning our wedding?
Remember to take breaks and try to enjoy the process. Talk openly with your partner, stay organised with your plans, and don’t be shy about asking friends or family for help if you need it.
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