You’re engaged, congratulations! While you are over-the-moon to be marrying your person, you may also be feeling overwhelmed.

It feels like the moment you tell people you’re engaged the questions start rolling in. When’s the wedding? Where’s the wedding? Do you have a dress? What are your colors?

Before you let the prying questions send you into a spiral – we’ve put together a list of what you actually need to do once you’re engaged.

Side Note: We’re big supporters of savoring your engagement season. This is likely the shortest period of your relationship and we see couples try to fly through it only to be left feeling stressed because they’re trying to do too much, too fast. Don’t be afraid to take a few weeks (or months) to enjoy just being engaged before jumping headfirst into planning. This list will be here for you when you’re ready.

Get Your Ring(s) Insured

It might not be the most thrilling of the pre-planning tasks, but it’s an important one!

You can add on coverage through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider. Or look into jewelry insurance specialist who can provide a policy independent of your existing policies. 

No matter what direction you look, be sure to read the fine print and understand what exactly is and is not covered before signing on the dotted line. 

Set a Budget & Guest List

These are listed as one to-do because they work hand-in-hand. The biggest contributor to your budget (and whether or not it’s realistic for your vision) is your guest count. 

As you talk with family about who may be contributing to the wedding, keep in mind there might be an expectation that if someone is giving money they should also be able to give you a guest list. 

More guests cost more money. Not just in food and beverage, but in stationery, floral, tabletop rentals, transportation, and more

My best advice for couples dealing with a guest list hijacker is to share with them the per-person cost of adding the additional people to the day. 

If you’re unsure what per-person budget matches your vision, an experienced planner can help give you some ranges based on your style & ideal location.

Discuss Ideal Date Range & Locations

Now that we’ve gotten the nitty gritty out of the way, it’s time to start dreaming. 

What kind of backdrop are you envisioning for your wedding? Elegant indoor ballroom? Tented reception at a winery? Chic city rooftop? 

Are there any locations that are special to you & your partner? Your families?

What season do you want to get married in? Does that work with your top locations? 

How long is it from now until that season? Can you realistically plan a wedding by then or do you need to aim for that season in the following year? (Our couples planning periods average 10-15 months) 

If you’d like some more guidance on choosing your wedding location see our blog on How to Choose a Destination for Your Wedding Weekend. 

Start Saving Inspiration 

If you haven’t already started saving inspiration for your wedding, now is a great time to do so. Here’s some quick dos & don’t for gathering inspiration. 

Don’t restrict yourself.

Do save whatever lights you up.

Even if you can’t see the common threads between what you love, designers are pros at filtering through your inspiration to pull out a clear direction that reflects your style. 

Don’t only save wedding photos.

Do save a variety of inspiration sources.

We’ve had clients share photos of their homes, favorite clothing brand campaigns, and even food photography when brainstorming for their wedding day. Drawing concepts from non-wedding sources leads to more creative and personal designs. 

Don’t keep researching after a clear plan is made.

Do trust the process with your planner.

Once you’ve signed off on a clear vision with your planner, I highly recommend closing the magazines and explore tabs. Continuing to browse can lead to “shiny object syndrome.” If you’re honest with your feedback throughout the design process, your wedding will be a beautiful reflection of your style & story – no last minute trends required. 

Ready to start planning your wedding? We plan & design events focused on giving couples, their families, and their guests a seamless overall wedding weekend experience. Learn more about the Skylar Caitlin Events experience here.