"We’re Engaged — Now What?" A Thoughtful Start to Wedding Planning

First things first: Congratulations. Getting engaged is one of those life moments that deserves to be felt, not rushed. Before you dive headfirst into planning spreadsheets and Pinterest boards, take a moment to simply enjoy being engaged. This season is short, sweet, and incredibly meaningful.

That said, once the excitement settles, most couples find themselves asking the same question:“Okay… now what?”

This post is the first in my wedding planning blog series, created to help engaged couples feel informed, grounded, and confident as they begin planning their wedding—without the overwhelm.

Step 1: Celebrate Together (Yes, this counts as planning!)

According to planning experts at The Knot and Brides.com, the very first step after getting engaged isn’t logistical—it’s emotional. Celebrate your engagement in a way that feels true to you.

That might look like:

• Sharing the news privately with family

• Hosting a small engagement dinner

• Booking an engagement session to mark this chapter

• Taking a weekend trip together

This pause isn’t wasted time—it sets the tone for how you approach the rest of your planning: intentionally, together, and with joy.

Step 2: Define Your Wedding Vision

Before venues, budgets, or guest lists, sit down with your partner and talk about how you want your wedding to feel.

Planners at Zola often emphasize starting with vision first. Ask each other:

• Do we want something intimate or large?

• Formal or relaxed?

• Traditional or non-traditional?

• Local or destination?

You don’t need to agree on everything right away, but understanding each other’s priorities early will make every decision that follows feel easier and more aligned.

Step 3: Set a Realistic Budget

Budget conversations aren’t always fun—but they’re essential. Brides.com notes that setting a budget early helps couples avoid stress, overspending, and tough decisions later on.

Things to consider:

• Your overall comfort level financially

• Any family contributions

• What you’re willing to invest more heavily in (experience, photography, food, etc.)

Your budget doesn’t have to be perfect or final—it just needs to exist. You can adjust as you go, but having a starting point creates clarity.

Step 4: Choose a Date & Book Your Venue

Once you have a vision and budget, it’s time to think about when and where.

Experts at The Knot and Zola recommend securing your venue early, especially if you’re planning a wedding during peak season. Many venues book 12–18 months in advance.

At this stage:

• Decide on a season or preferred date range

• Tour venues that align with your vision

• Lock in your date once the venue is secured

Once your venue and date are set, the rest of your planning starts to fall into place.

Step 5: Organize Your Wedding Materials

The first rule of wedding planning? Stay organized. Create one place — digital or physical — where you keep all contracts, notes, vendor info, budgets, and inspiration.

Some couples choose:

• A binder with tabs

• A shared Google Drive or folder

• A new email just for planning

• The Knot or Zola planning tools

Keeping all your info in one place will save tons of stress later. The Knot

Step 6: Start Booking Key Vendors

Once your date and venue are locked in, it’s time to start securing key team members — especially those who get booked earliest:

• Photographer (hey- wink wink!!)

• Videographer

• Caterer

• Florist

• DJ or Band

• Wedding Planner or Coordinator (if you choose one)

Pro tip: these professionals often book up fast, so reaching out sooner rather than later means you’re more likely to work with your dream team. zola.com.

I also have some incredible vendor recommendations!

Step 7: Engagement Photos + Wedding Website

Once your photographer is booked (**WINK WINK**), an engagement session is a great next step. Engagement photos aren’t just about pretty pictures—they help you get comfortable in front of the camera and create imagery you’ll use throughout your planning journey.

Around this time, many couples also:

• Build their wedding website

• Start drafting a guest list

• Collect addresses

• Plan save-the-dates

According to Brides.com, save-the-dates are typically sent 4–6 months before the wedding (earlier for destination weddings).

Step 8: Save-the-Dates & Engagement Party

Once you’ve got your main pieces in place — date, venue, guest list — consider:

• Save-the-dates: Experts recommend sending these 4–6 months before your wedding (even earlier for destination weddings) so guests can plan ahead. Brides

• Engagement party: A fun way to celebrate with loved ones, often hosted a few months into planning. Brides

Step 9: Don’t Forget This Is Your Journey

Wedding planning is bespoke; there’s no “one right way” or set deadline you must follow. What matters most is this:

1. You and your partner enjoy the process.

2.You plan intentionally together.

3.You celebrate love and connection — not just checklists.

Keep communicating and supporting one another, and lean on professionals when it helps reduce stress.

Ready to Capture Your Engagement?

Whether you’re just starting your planning journey or already booking vendors, engagement photos are the perfect first step — and I would be honored to be a part of your story.

Let’s capture this exciting time in your lives in a way that feels authentic, romantic, and timeless. Inquire here today!