6 Steps for Newly Engaged Couples to Start Wedding Planning
Congratulations on your engagement! You made it! While there are many major milestones in a relationship, this is undeniably one of the most significant ones for a couple. That new bling represents a promise of commitment, a vow to share your lives with each other, and an exciting journey that lies ahead. You’ve taken your first step to forever — and it surely feels amazing.
But now that you have that shiny rock on your finger and you’ve soaked up that just-said-yes bliss, you’re probably wondering where to go from here. Do you start researching venues? Shopping for a dress? Asking friends to be in your wedding party?
Well, not to worry! In this blog, we’re covering the six steps every newly engaged couple should take after saying “yes!” to their happily ever after.
Pop some bubbly with loved ones
Many couples make the mistake of diving straight into wedding planning after the question is popped. Sure, there are plenty of tasks to take care of and details to arrange, but getting engaged is a once-in-a-lifetime moment that deserves its own celebration. The timelines and floor plans can wait — for now, you just need to share your joy with the most important people in your life!
Kick off this new chapter in your lives with a fun engagement party. While it’s not a mandatory pre-wedding event, it’s a lovely way for the future-in-laws to get reacquainted, catch up with your favorite people, and of course, show off that dazzling ring! Prepare some games to encourage interaction among guests so everyone is comfortable with each other during the wedding planning process and on the big day itself.
Take care of your ring ASAP
Filling out paperwork to resize and insure your ring are not the most exciting wedding tasks out there, but they are certainly crucial ones! Your engagement ring is valuable and sentimental, so it only makes sense to protect it and the memories it holds. Jewelry insurance provides coverage for theft, loss, or damage, which will give you peace of mind. You can either get insurance as an extension of your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, or you can get it through a designated jewelry insurance provider.
If it’s not yet fitted correctly, make sure to get it adjusted as soon as possible. We know you want to eat, sleep, and bathe with your shiny new ring on, but trust us, a few weeks’ wait for a perfectly fitted ring will be worth it. This prevents the risk of a slightly-too-big ring from slipping off your finger and getting lost. (Although, insurance will also make that situation much less scary!)
Start brainstorming ideas together
There’s no need to make any permanent decisions yet, but it’s a good time to start tossing ideas out there with your partner. What are your top wedding priorities? How do you want to feel on your big day?
Check Pinterest and Instagram for wedding ideas and discuss ideal seasons, design schemes, color palettes, and other big-picture details with your partner. Doing so will help you build out your wedding planning timeline and find the perfect SoCal wedding venue to match your chosen wedding aesthetics.
Discuss your financial spending plan
After deciding on the general feel of your ideal wedding, it’s time to crunch some numbers to determine how much money you want to set aside to make your vision a reality. Here’s a tip: Create a priority list to ensure that your resources, effort, and time are directed towards the elements that matter most to you and your partner.
Think about your top three spending areas. Most couples select the venue, catering, and entertainment, but it’s not a hard rule. Perhaps photography or decor might be more important to you — feel free to switch it up depending on your preferences!
Determine an estimated headcount
Most wedding planning decisions—like your venue, catering, and rentals—depend on how many guests you plan to host. You just need a rough headcount to get the ball rolling, so start talking to your partner about who you want to invite to your wedding.
Do you want a simple celebration with a handful of loved ones? Or is a grand affair with hundreds of guests more your style? Once you have determined this, you can start searching for venues in earnest. Just keep in mind that this isn’t one person’s wedding! Both of you should be involved in curating your guest list to ensure everyone is happy.
Research ideal venues
Your wedding venue is the first domino in the process, as it secures your wedding date and allows you to book other vendors. Plus, you may get a list of preferred vendors from the venue to make the process easier, so it’s a great place to start your planning journey. Alternatively, some venues offer in-house services besides the space (i.e. lighting, planning, catering, rentals, etc.), so it’s best to determine what’s included in your venue package before looking elsewhere.
To start your hunt, schedule a handful of site tours with California wedding venues that fit your aesthetic. Come prepared with the right questions to determine whether a property will meet your needs. Then, compare notes with your partner to see which feels just right!
Once the venue is booked, everything else will fall into place. But for now, focus on celebrating your love and enjoying your new “engaged” status with loved ones!
