You got the ring?! LOVE THAT FOR YOU!

After celebrating with your family and friends, and posting that beautiful new ring on Instagram- you may be thinking to yourself “now what?”! Before you start to get overwhelmed, I’m here to help! As a Wedding Photographer that has also been a bride herself, I’m going to let you know step by step what to do after getting engaged.

 1. Take some time to enjoy the moment and be happy together. 

Getting engaged is one of the best feelings in the world. I was on top of the moon when my hubby got down on one knee and asked if I would be his forever, and I’m sure you are too! It may feel like you need to tell everyone you know and start reaching out to a wedding planner immediately. But remember- this newly engaged “high” you’re riding won’t last forever. Take the time to really soak it in, and enjoy it. It’s a feeling that can’t be reproduced, and it deserves to be celebrated with your significant other as much as possible before diving into the craziness that is wedding planning.

1. Get your ring sized and insured.

In the likely case that your ring doesn’t fit perfectly, make sure to take it back to the jeweler and get it sized ASAP. I know, it’s HARD to take off your new baby and go without it for a few weeks. But trust me on this- It isn’t worth wearing a ring that could slip off and get lost, for even a second longer than you need to. The original jeweler will typically resize it for free, and once it’s finished- it’s yours forever!

Oh, but in the unfortunate case that it does get lost or stolen (fingers crossed this never happens to you!), insurance is the only way to replace it without having to buy a new one. So, it’s a really good idea to get your ring insured. The coverage is usually super affordable and the peace of mind is priceless. 

2. Think about your wedding timeline

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to pick a wedding date the second you say “yes” to your partner’s proposal. In all honesty, you can pick a date for your wedding whenever the hell you want. Every couple’s timeline from the point of being engaged to actually having the wedding is different. You may want to wait a few years, or you may want to start planning and get married as soon as humanly possible. Still, you should be discussing a timeline with your partner soon after getting engaged. Having an idea of when you want your wedding to happen is the first important part of the planning process, and will help a lot when checking for availability with wedding vendors. Do keep in mind, many vendors’ schedules for 2022 and 2023 are filling up FAST. If you want to make sure to lock in your dream vendors, time is of the essence!

3. Get inspired!

HERE COMES THE FUN PART (in my opinion, at least). While you don’t have to lock in any wedding plans until you’re good and ready, it’s a great idea to start getting some ideas for your wedding dress, photos, decor, etc.  Start a “wedding inspiration” board on Pinterest, pick up some bridal magazines, and go wild! This will get you (even more so) excited about your planning and will help you decide which wedding vendors will fit the vibe you’re going for.

2. Set a budget, and start booking!

Okay, so you’ve completed the steps listed above and you’re ready to do the damn thing. HECK YEAH, I’m so excited for you! Once you’ve determined your budget, it’s time to start booking your vendors. Here are the vendors you should focus on booking in order:

Planner / Day of coordinator 

Not everyone decides to hire a planner or DOC, but in my opinion- it’s a must. It will make your life so much easier and will give you peace of mind knowing you and your bridal party have much less to worry about on the day of your wedding. 

Venue

This one is a biggie. Until you’ve booked your wedding venue, your date may not be set in stone. It’s best to book your venue as soon as possible. Additionally, some venues have all-inclusive options, which could save you time or money on catering and rentals. 

Photographer / Videographer 

Your wedding photographer and videographer play an essential role in your big day, and you want to make sure you’re hiring the best of the best. Your photos and wedding film are some of the only tangible items you will keep from your day- you want to make sure you will be madly in love with the end result. Wedding photographers & Videographers are commonly booked out far in advance, so make sure to secure your date with them as soon as possible. I recommend at least 10 months before the wedding, but the sooner the better!

Wedding dress

Buying a wedding dress is much different than picking up an outfit from your favorite store. It takes a long time for alterations to be made, and can sometimes take months to receive after ordering. It’s a good idea to get your dress sooner rather than later, to ensure that your dream dress will be fitted and ready to wear in time for the wedding. 

Florals

What’s a wedding without flowers, am I right?! Whether you opt for a solo bridal bouquet or go all out with your wedding florals- you’ll want to find a floral designer that can create something that aligns with your wedding style and vision. Hair and Makeup Artist. 

Every bride should feel their beautiful on their wedding day. If hair and makeup aren’t your strong suit, hiring a glam team will help ensure that you look and feel your best on your wedding day. Make sure to schedule a trial appointment a few months before the wedding to avoid miscommunication on the look you’re going for when your big day comes. 

Catering

Nobody wants hangry wedding guests! If your venue doesn’t include catering, you’ll need to secure an outside caterer to provide delicious food for your reception. Your caterer should help you decide on your reception’s serving style, and provide you with a pre-wedding tasting to help you decide on specific dishes. 

DJ / Live band

Everyone loves to get down on the dancefloor at a wedding reception, including me! You’ll also want music for your ceremony, so you’re not walking down the aisle to crickets. You can choose from a DJ, or live musician(s)- or both!

Stationery

While you don’t technically have to send your wedding invitations out right away, ordering the invites from a wedding stationery service (and addressing/mailing them) can take time! Your invitations will give your guests an idea of your wedding style and will help you determine an accurate guest list. 

Cakes / desserts 

Bakers can only take a limited number of orders per week, so you want to order your cakes and desserts in a timely matter. Try to schedule a tasting before ordering, so you can determine which flavors of cake or types of desserts you like best. 

That’s a wrap! There are way more details that go into planning a wedding than I could fit in one blog post, but this should give you a great idea of what to prioritize first. If you’re still in search of the perfect wedding photographer, hit the link below to inquire! I’d LOVE to be there to capture your day and help you navigate any of the stressful parts of wedding planning. Cheers, and happy planning!

https://valenleephoto.com/services