Whether you were proposed to by surprise or knew it was coming, now that it has actually happened you’ll want to know what’s next. That’s where we come in, to tell you what those who are newly engaged need to do before you actually start planning your wedding.
TAKE IT IN
The next year or so is going to go by in a flash, so use this time to savor the moment, toast yourself and your fiancé, and just enjoy. While your instincts may tell you to run to the phone and tell everyone you know, take a few minutes (or hours) to savor this special time between you and your fiancé. There’s something quite awesome about you both knowing you’ve committed to each other forever, and being the only ones that know is pretty intimate in and of itself. Embrace it.
START SPREADIN’ THE NEWS
Ok, so at some point, you do need to tell everyone. And don’t be surprised if some people hear from others you’ve told. Usually, once you start those tweets, Instagram posts, and calls, you’ll be bombarded with congrats from those near and far, (and those close and not-so-close to you!). We suggest telling people the old-fashioned way, with a phone call, as there’s nothing like hearing your excitement over the phone. But, if you just can’t wait to get it out there, read on.
HEAD TO THE SALON & TAKE A PIC
Go get that mani so you can post that newly engaged ring selfie in style! What we suggest is going bold with a fun seasonal color or traditional with one of the classic pale pink more “bridal” shades. (We love Essie’s “Mademoiselle” which is a sheer nude or “Ballet Slippers” for a pale pink but there are several “bridal hues” out there.)
BE SMART: GET INSURANCE
Whether you’re planning on a trip or staying at home, you’ll want to make sure you insure your ring. With all of the excitement and details about to come up, insuring your ring is one of the 1st things you should do and often gets forgotten. Trust us, you’ll be happy you did, and you’d be surprised how many people lose their ring without an insurance policy. You wouldn’t forget to insure your home; your ring is costly and has great value, so you should take the steps to have it insured.
1ST STEPS IN PLANNING: GUEST LIST & BUDGET
Once you’re ready to actually start planning your wedding, it can be daunting to figure out your first steps. Many would say to start with a budget, but before you do that, we suggest you figure out your guest list. Determining who you want (or need) to have there, might help you guide your budget.
Alternatively, you can start with a budget, then move on to the guest list, and just know that the more people you invite, the more that will dictate what is and is not possible within your budget. Since the price per person is usually the largest portion of your overall costs, the easiest way to cut your budget is to cut your guest list, so by starting on your list, you’re sort of controlling the budget from the get-go. But deciding where to start is up to you, we just like to point out now how they (the budget and the guest list) can work hand-in-hand.
ATTEND A WEDDING SHOW
The best way for newly engaged couples to get inspired and meet the Twin Cities’ best wedding services is to attend a bridal show. And lucky for you, we host four a year! Check out UNVEILED Minneapolis, or Twin Cities Bridal Show.
START CHECKING OUT VENUES
There are many other things to do in planning, but the next steps should be to look at venues, to make sure you can secure the location for the date you want. Many places book out 12-18 months in advance, so it’s good to get those tours and venue appointments on your calendar as soon as possible if you’re not looking for an extended engagement period.
There are many other details from deciding on a planner, looking for a wedding gown, a caterer, invites, and more. We hope these tips will get you started in a way that is exciting, not exasperating. Congrats and good luck!
