Congratulations on your engagement! This is one of your life’s most thrilling and joyous times, filled with love, excitement, and dreams for the future. As you start this new chapter of your life, it’s natural to feel a mix of joy and a bit of overwhelm. Planning a wedding is a big task, but don’t worry, it will be so worth it! I’m here to help you navigate the journey. As a seasoned Nashville wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless couples, and I’m excited to share my insights on how to start your wedding planning process. Let’s get into the eight things to do after getting engaged!

I Just Got Engaged, Now What?

Table of Contents:

• Celebrate the Moment
• Start Talking About Your Vision
• Begin Your Guest List
• Set a Date and Venue
• Build a Wedding Planning Timeline
• Start Looking for Inspiration
• Find and Book Key Vendors
• Enjoy the Process

Celebrate the Moment: 

First things first, take a moment to truly celebrate your engagement. This is a huge milestone, so allow yourself to soak in the happiness and bliss. Share the exciting news with your family and friends. Consider having an engagement party to celebrate with your loved ones. This is your time to shine and revel in the fact that you’re about to marry your best friend. Enjoy every second, because these are the moments you’ll cherish forever. 

Start Talking About Your Vision: 

Once you’ve celebrated your engagement, one of your first things to do after getting engaged is to start discussing your wedding vision with your partner. Sharing your dreams and ideas is an essential and fun step in planning your wedding. Talk about what kind of wedding you both envision – a grand celebration, a cozy, intimate gathering, a destination wedding, or something unique. 

One of the most important topics to discuss is the budget. Having an open and honest conversation about finances is crucial early on. Determine who will contribute and set a realistic budget for everyone. Break down the budget into categories and prioritize what matters most to you. For many couples, the key areas of expenditure include the venue, wedding planner, and photographer. However, consider allocating more funds to food, drinks, or entertainment, depending on your preferences. Remember, the wedding industry can sometimes be more expensive than expected, so be prepared for a bit of sticker shock when you start receiving quotes from vendors. 

Begin Your Guest List:

Next up, it’s time to start drafting your guest list. This step can be a bit challenging, but it’s essential for determining the size and scope of your wedding. Sit down with your partner and create an initial list of guests you want to invite. It’s also a good idea to involve your parents to ensure you don’t miss anyone important.

Your guest list will significantly impact other aspects of your wedding planning, especially your choice of venue. Knowing how many guests you expect will make it easier for you to find a venue that can accommodate them. It’s better to start with a broader list and narrow it down as needed. 

Set a Date and Venue: 

Choosing a wedding date and venue is one of the most exciting parts of the things to do after getting engaged. Think about what season or month you’d like to get married in. Do you prefer the fresh blooms of spring, the warmth of summer, the vibrant colors of fall, or the cozy atmosphere of winter? Each season offers something unique.

When selecting a venue, consider the type of setting you want for your wedding. Are you dreaming of an outdoor ceremony, an elegant ballroom in a hotel, or a modern barn? Nashville boasts a wide range of stunning venues, each with its own charm. List venues that catch your eye and schedule tours to see them in person.

Booking your venue as early as possible is critical, as popular venues tend to book up quickly. If you have a specific date in mind, be prepared that it might already be booked. Consider being flexible about your wedding date or having several options. Also, check if your dream vendors are available before finalizing your date to ensure they have yet to be booked. 

Build a Wedding Planning Timeline: 

Creating a wedding planning timeline is crucial for staying organized and on track. Several wedding planning apps like The Knot, WeddingWire, and Zola can help you create a detailed timeline, breaking down tasks month by month leading up to your wedding day. These tools are incredibly helpful in ensuring you take all important steps and can help reduce the stress of planning. 

Start Looking for Inspiration: 

Now comes the fun part of things to do after getting engaged – finding inspiration for your wedding! Think about the colors, themes, and styles that you love. Browse Pinterest, social media, wedding magazines, and blogs to gather ideas. Create a vision board or a Pinterest board to collect images that inspire you.

While drawing inspiration from various sources is great, remember that this is your wedding day. It should reflect your unique personalities and style as a couple. There is no need to feel pressured to recreate everything exactly as you see it online. Instead, use those ideas as a starting point to design a wedding that’s truly your own.

Find and Book Key Vendors: 

Once you have your date and venue secured, it’s time to start booking your key vendors. These include your photographer, florist, caterer, and wedding planner. Vendors often book up quickly, so reaching out to them as soon as possible is essential.

Your wedding venue might provide a preferred vendor list, which can be a great resource. Preferred vendors are those who have worked at the venue before and come highly recommended. When meeting with potential vendors, share your vision and discuss what’s most important to you. This will ensure they understand your needs and can deliver the desired experience. Hiring a wedding planner or a day-of coordinator can be incredibly beneficial. They have the expertise and provide valuable insights and advice to help you enjoy and relax on your special day. 

Enjoy the Process: 

Wedding planning can almost be a full-time job, but it’s also an incredibly special time in your life. Stay organized and on top of things to minimize stress. If you’ve hired a wedding planner, they will be a tremendous help in keeping everything on track. If you need help, use your wedding planning app to manage your tasks and deadlines.

Communication is key. Keep in touch with your vendors, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek their opinions. They’re there to help you and want to ensure your day is perfect.

Remember to take time for each other amidst the planning. Continue going on dates and celebrate each milestone in the planning process. Whether it’s your engagement session, cake tasting, or booking your venue, make it a special occasion. Wedding planning can be intense, but it’s also a time to cherish and enjoy together. 

If you’ve been thinking to yourself ‘I just got engaged, now what?’ I hope that this blog post was beneficial to you! Every effort you put into planning is worth it. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you get to marry your best friend. These eight things to do after getting engaged will help you get a great start to wedding planning!

Ready to find your dream wedding photographer in Nashville? I’d love to chat about capturing your special day. Reach out to me, and let’s make your wedding day unforgettable.