Congratulations and welcome to the hitched club!
Go on and pop the bubbly, because the first thing you should do is to bask in the joy of being promoted from mere girlfriend to THE ONE and only fiancée.
When your heartbeat has finally gone down to its normal rate, here is a list of things to do to after you got engaged.
1. Set a wedding date.
This is very important to do before anything else, because it allows you to determine necessary details for the rest of the items on your to-do list.
Some things to think about:
- Do you want a summer, winter, autumn or a spring wedding?
- Do you want a longer or shorter engagement?
- Do you want the date to be easily remembered? (i.e. 8-18-18)
- Is your wedding officiant available on that date?
Set your chosen date but also be open to the possibility that you may need to move it depending on certain factors later on.
2. Inform family and close friends and prepare for forever.
Take this opportunity to show off the bling to your babes! Share your happiness to everyone close to you and have an open ear for their tips and pieces of advice. It may also be a good idea to seek pre-marital counsel from older married couples or from professionals. Keep in mind that your wedding is a one-day affair but marriage is a life-time commitment. So don’t just prepare for the wedding day but prepare for forever.
3. Plan a budget and stick to it.
Or not. =D Budgeting for a wedding is such a tricky matter to discuss and things can get out of hand pretty fast. Make sure you take time to sit down with your partner to set priorities and manage expectations.
Some things to consider:
- What do you want to happen on your wedding day?
- What are the major elements that should be allocated more funds into?
- How many people do you want to invite?
- Do you want to hire a coordinator or do you prefer DIY?
Most often than not, there will be unexpected expenses along the way so it’s better to save some funds for those things, too.
4. Book the venue.
After you have (more or less) finalized the budget, it’s time to scout for a place to celebrate. The location can be anywhere – at a hotel, on a yacht, in your backyard or at the community church. Any place can be dressed up to be as dandy, as romantic, and as elegant as a wedding should be.
Some things to consider:
- Do you want to be indoor or outdoor?
- What theme or look are you after?
- Are there ample spaces for a photo shoot after the ceremony?
- Is it accessible to all your guests?
5. Finalize the entourage list.
Now that you said yes to your man, it’s time for another proposal- not to another bride but to your future bridesmaids and groomsmen! Go on and ask the question “Will you be my…?” Say it with gifts or organize a pamper session with your besties.
6. Go hunting for the dress.
Now ladies, do not make this a stressful occasion. It can be a fun moment you and your mom, sisters, and/or bridesmaids can bond over with. Look for inspiration in magazines, on social media, and even your mom’s closet. Not all body shapes are the same though, so it’s important to try every cut you’re eyeing on before saying yes to that dress.
Some things to ask yourself:
- Are you into classic or avant-garde?
- Will you dance with it or change into something else?
- Will it look good with a long veil or a headdress?
- Do you have time and budget for major alterations?
7. Send e-invites and save the dates.
Once all the major items on your wedding list have been ticked off, it’s time to tell everybody else. There are so many ways you can inform your guests about your upcoming wedding. You can create a Facebook page or send e-invites or even a video clip if you want to save trees and cost.
Some things to note:
- Send save the dates as soon as you locked in your wedding date and booked the venue.
- This is not a formal invite so make sure you put a note that the real invitation will follow.
- Not everyone gets a save the date; 1 household = 1 save the date (and invitation).
Yes, there are still more things to do after this list but you can then breathe and relax a bit, for you have already accomplished the major tasks. Don’t do everything on your own; remember to ask help and get input from your future groom as well.
May the road be smooth and beautiful to your happy ever after!
Xx