You're Engaged, Now What? Here's The Checklist Before the Checklist
So, you just got engaged… CONGRATULATIONS! 🎉
That ring is sparkling, your heart is full, and you’re officially entering one of the most exciting seasons of your life. But now that the “yes!” has been said, you might be wondering:
What do I do next?! Where do I even begin?
Before the stress of timelines, to-do lists, and Pinterest boards takes over, we encourage you to pause, take a deep breath, and smile at the thought of marrying your person. This journey should be full of joy—and we’re here to help make it feel a little less overwhelming from the start.
Let’s break down your first steps after getting engaged, so you feel empowered and excited as you kick off your wedding planning adventure.
1. Establish Your Budget – It Drives Everything
Before you do anything else—yes, before you book a venue or even pick a date—you’ll need to define your overall wedding budget.
Why is budget first?
Because every single vendor and venue you contact will want to know it. And without one, it’s nearly impossible to make realistic decisions or avoid disappointment later. A good rule of thumb:
50% of your budget should go to venue, food, and beverage costs.
The other 50% covers everything else: wedding planner or coordinator, photographer, videographer, entertainment, florals, rentals, attire, stationery, transportation, and more.
💡 Example: If your total wedding budget is $50,000, that means you should look for venue options (including food, beverage, tax, service fees, and rental fees) that cost no more than $25,000 total.
We highly recommend using a tool like WeddingWire’s Budget Tracker to stay organized and keep your spending on track. It’s free and super intuitive!
2. Define the Style, Season, and Setting of Your Wedding
This goes way beyond just picking colors. Before diving into your Pinterest mood boards, think about:
What season you’ve always envisioned for your wedding (Spring garden vibes? Fall coastal sunsets?)
Time of day for the ceremony and reception (Morning brunch? Sunset vows?)
General location or setting (Do you dream of a beach wedding, garden venue, chic city rooftop, or a fully outdoor affair?)
Clarifying this will help narrow down your venue search and guide your vendor choices later.
3. Decide: Wedding Planner or Wedding Coordinator?
Yes, they’re very different—and this decision comes early because it affects how you find your venue and plan your wedding.
A Wedding Planner is your partner from the beginning. They help you:
Find and book the perfect venue
Build your budget
Source your vendor team
Design the event style
Keep your planning process on schedule
A Wedding Coordinator steps in 6–8 weeks before the wedding to:
Finalize logistics
Create your wedding day timeline
Manage rehearsal and day-of operations
They do not assist in planning.
💡 Tip: If you’re starting from scratch and feel unsure, hiring a full-service Planner is a smart investment.
4. Start Your Venue Search
Now that you’ve got a budget, a vision, and some support—it’s time to book the venue!
This is one of the biggest (and earliest) decisions in your planning journey, because your wedding date, overall design, and even vendor availability will hinge on it.
What to do:
Use platforms like WeddingWire, The Knot, and Google to search venues in your preferred area.
Request pricing details and ask what’s included.
Schedule site visits or virtual tours.
Ask about available dates, guest capacity, rental timeframes, and any restrictions.
Only once your venue is booked and your date is secured can you officially move forward with planning everything else—from your caterer and entertainment to your guest list and save-the-dates!
5. Need Help? We’re Just a Call Away
Whether you’re planning a 200-guest soirée or an intimate destination celebration, we’re here to help make the process smooth and joyful. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to guide you toward your perfect wedding day—from newly engaged to newlywed.
Take another deep breath. This is YOUR season. Let’s make it unforgettable.