You're Engaged! Here's What to Do Next
He asked and you've said “yes” to the love of your life, and now, a beautiful new chapter begins. But with your engagement comes the big question, what comes next? Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming at first, with so many details to consider and decisions to make. Don’t worry, though. Here at The Glade Wedding Venue, we’ll help guide you with thoughtful advice to make the process as joyful and seamless as possible.
From soaking in this special moment to organizing guest lists and creating the perfect wedding email address, we’ll walk you through 5 essential steps to kickstart your wedding planning with ease.
Step 1: Breathe, Celebrate, and Cherish the Moment
First things first—pause and inhale the sweetness of the moment. Take time to appreciate this exciting milestone in your life together. This is an incredibly special time for you and your fiancé, so before you jump headfirst into planning, allow yourself to simply enjoy the experience. Share the happy news with your closest family members and friends first, soak up their well-wishes, and celebrate your commitment to each other.
This step may sound simple, but it’s an important foundation. The memories you make during your engagement set the tone for your entire wedding planning process, so savor every little moment.
Ways to Celebrate
Snap a few photos to mark the occasion. Bonus points if you can include your fiancé’s adorable proposal details!
Plan a small celebration or dinner with your families to officially share the news.
Start journaling your engagement story—years later, you’ll love looking back on how it all began.
Step 2: Define Your Wedding Priorities Together
You’re not just planning a wedding; you’re crafting a day that reflects your love story. To make decisions easier down the road, sit down with your fiancé to talk about your shared vision. What are the top priorities for your big day?
For some couples, it’s finding the perfect photographer to capture every moment. For others, it could be delectable cuisine shared with loved ones or cinematic videography to relive the magic time and again. Discuss what truly matters most to you as a couple so that your wedding feels authentic and meaningful.
Questions to Ask Each Other
What’s the vibe we want? Romantic and elegant, rustic and intimate, or something else?
Do we want a large guest list or a more intimate gathering?
Are there any “must-haves” that will make the day feel perfect to us?
By setting clear priorities early, you’ll not only ensure your wedding feels uniquely yours, but you’ll also have a framework that helps narrow decisions.
Step 3: Set Your Budget (Yes, It’s That Important!)
It’s time for the less glamorous but oh-so-essential part of wedding planning—establishing a budget. Without a realistic budget in place, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of overspending as excitement grows. Sit down with your fiancé and figure out the financial groundwork for your wedding.
How to Build a Budget
Set a total spending limit: Think about what you’re comfortable investing in your special day.
Break it down: Allocate your budget based on your priorities (e.g., venue, catering, entertainment, photography). Pro tip—your guest list size significantly impacts costs like food and seating!
Track everything: Use a spreadsheet or an online budgeting tool to keep tabs on your spending as you go.
A well-thought-out financial plan gives you peace of mind and lets you focus less on stress and more on the joy of planning.
Step 4: Start Building Your Guest List
Once you’ve decided on your budget, you can start crafting your guest list. It’s tempting to invite everyone you know, but remember, your wedding day should be designed around the people who mean the most to you both.
Start with a rough draft that includes family, close friends, and any VIP guests. From there, refine it into a manageable list that fits your budget and venue capacity. If you’re struggling to decide who makes the cut, focus on the people who’ve been meaningful constants in your life and your love story.
If you need extra tips on how to create the perfect guest list, check out our blog post, “The Art of Invitation: Building Your Perfect South Georgia Wedding Guest List”.
Guest List Tips
Divide your list into categories (e.g., immediate family, extended family, friends, coworkers).
Don’t feel pressured to invite plus-ones unless you’re close with both partners.
Prioritize your relationship over obligation. This day is about you.
Step 5: Create a Wedding Email Address
Keeping wedding-related communication organized is key. One of the simplest and most effective ways to stay on top of it all is by creating an exclusive wedding email address. It’ll keep all your RSVPs, vendor inquiries, and contracts in one place—no more wading through a cluttered inbox!
For example, use “[YourLastNamesWedding@gmail.com]” or something fun and easy like “[SmithJones2024@gmail.com].” Pro tip—if you’re working with a venue (like The Glade Venue) that uses Google Docs for collaboration, ensure your email provider is Gmail for seamless sharing.
Wedding Email Best Practices
Use it for all vendor contracts, payments, and communications.
Share the email with your bridal party so they can help keep things organized.
Set up folders to categorize correspondence (e.g., catering, photography, guests).
Trust us—small details like this add up to a stress-free planning experience!
Your Exciting Journey Awaits
Being newly engaged is a magical time, full of excitement, anticipation, and love. By soaking in the moment, outlining your priorities, setting a solid budget, and staying organized with steps like creating a guest list and a dedicated wedding email, you’re setting yourself up for a smooth planning process and a wedding that truly reflects who you are as a couple.
Want more help planning your dream wedding? At The Glade Venue, we’re passionate about making your big day everything you’ve envisioned—and more. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help bring your vision to life.
Happy planning!
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