You’re officially engaged – congrats! This is such an exciting time in your lives. This moment marks a huge milestone in your relationship. There are so many things that are probably swirling around in your head, but one of the biggest questions you might have is – what’s next? 

Besides staring at your engagement ring for hours on end, there are lots of things to do after getting engaged. However, there’s no need to stress about next steps. In this blog I put together my top 5 things to do after getting engaged. Allow me to help you cross a few things off your ‘to-do’ list. Keep reading to find out what comes next.

Family & Close Friends First!

Like most, you probably have been dreaming of being engaged forever. But before diving into anything else you should tell your most important friends and family about your engagement. 

These are the people who have become your community and biggest supporters. They are the people who have been there since the beginning. 

If you are struggling with who to tell first, one tip I can give you is that these people are the ones who don’t want to find out via social media. Give them a call, send them a text and allow them to celebrate with you. I guarantee you that they are going to be just as excited as you! 

These are the people who are going to be by your side throughout your life and most likely the wedding planning process too. Revel in your community and enjoy having the attention on you! 

Shout it From the Rooftops!

Okay maybe don’t do that – but after you share the big news with your nearest and dearest – it’s time to let the world know! Announcing that you’re engaged on social media is one of the easiest ways to spread the word far and wide. Once you announce your engagement on whichever platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)- expect a flood of congratulations! 

Engagement Photos

What better way to celebrate your engagement than to get photos taken with your new fiancé? Engagement photos help mark the next chapter in your lives. Having an online gallery of photos to share with your friends and family is super fun. Engagement photos give you the ability to print your photos and leaves you with tangible keepsakes.

Another perk to having an engagement session is that it gives you the opportunity to practice getting in front of the camera with your fiancé before the big day. Additionally, it gives you the chance to understand your photographer’s style, how you interact with each other and what to expect on your wedding day.

Read more about “Why You Should Book an Engagement Session.”

Have an Engagement Party!

One of the best things you can do after getting engaged is the obvious – CELEBRATE! Engagement parties are a great way to get your family and friends together to share the good news. Raise a glass and cheers to this exciting time in your lives. And if you have your engagement photos done prior to your party, you can use them to decorate the event space! Engagement parties are a great opportunity for you to introduce your families to each other. Introducing your families at your engagement party tends to be a little less chaotic than if you were to introduce them on the day of your wedding.

Pick a Date! 

Picking a date is a great place to begin when gearing up to start the wedding planning process. You’ll want to do this before looking for a photographer, venues and other vendors. It is helpful to have this solidified so that when you reach out to your vendors you can see if they are available for that date. Additionally, you will want to pick a date that fits with your vision. Do you want to get married in the spring, summer, winter or fall? Do you want to get married on one of your anniversaries or a holiday?

Hire a Wedding Photographer

I always recommend booking your photographer as soon as possible for a few different reasons. The first reason is that if you really want to work with a particular photographer you want to snag your date with them as soon as possible. Wedding photographers calendars fill-up quickly. Secondly, your wedding photographer can help guide you through the wedding planning process. They should be able to send you vendor and venue recommendations, as well as, giving you tips on making the planning process as smooth as possible. Third, many wedding photographers include engagement sessions in their packages. As mentioned above this is a great opportunity to see if you work well together.

Need Help Getting Started with Wedding Planning?

I would love to help you navigate the waters of wedding planning! After photographing hundreds of weddings I am confident that I can guarantee you a streamlined wedding experience. I want you to relax and enjoy the process. Reach out here to get started planning your dream wedding.