What to do after getting engaged! A checklist!
You’re engaged!!! 🥹✨
Take a second, soak it in, stare at your ring a little longer.. and THEN think about what comes next.
Because between Pinterest, advice from everyone you’ve ever met, and 47 open tabs… it can get overwhelming fast.
Here’s what to do after getting engages – a simple checklist to guide you through those first steps!
Step 1: Celebrate (Like ACTUALLY Pause and Celebrate)
Before you do anything productive, celebrate this season.
Call your people.
Pop champagne.
Take blurry iPhone photos you’ll weirdly love forever.
This part matters just as much as the wedding day.
Step 2: Talk About the Big Picture
Before booking anything, sit down together and talk through the foundation:
- What do we want this day to feel like?
- Big wedding, small wedding, or just the two of us?
- What actually matters most to us?
This step will make every other decision so much easier.
Step 3: Set a Realistic Budget
I KNOW. Literally the least fun part of planning. Truly one of the most important though.
Figure out:
- Total budget
- Who (if anyone) is contributing
- Your top 2–3 priorities (photos 👀, venue, food, etc.)
This helps you spend intentionally instead of reactively.
Step 4: Start Venue Hunting
Your venue sets the tone for EVERYTHING. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Your venue IS your photo aesthetic.
If you’re getting married in North Carolina (hi, I love you already), think about:
- Mountains vs. city vs. countryside
- Indoor vs. outdoor
- Guest count + overall vibe
Venues also book up fast, so this is one of your first big moves.
Step 5: Book Your Photographer Early
I’m biased… but also not wrong 😌
Your photographer is one of the only vendors who is with you almost the entire day and your photos are what you’ll have forever.
When you’re looking, focus on:
- A style you genuinely connect with
- Someone you feel comfortable around
- Experience with your type of wedding/venue
(Pro tip: engagement sessions are the BEST way to get comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding.)
Step 6: Lock in Your Date + Key Vendors
These vendors tend to book out the fastest, especially for FALL weddings in NC.
Once your venue is booked, you can secure:
- Planner (honestly, this would be great to do before venue too)
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Caterer (if not in-house)
Step 7: Start Dress Shopping
Wedding dresses can take 6–9 months to arrive if you have customizations 😅
Even if you’re “just browsing,” it’s a good idea to start early so you’re not rushed later. Plus, this is SO fun, why not start soon??
Step 8: Draft Your Guest List
You don’t need it finalized, but getting a rough number helps with:
- Venue decisions
- Budget clarity
- Overall logistics
Step 9: Think About Your Engagement Season
Your engagement isn’t just a waiting period. It’s a whole season of your life.
Plan things like:
- An engagement session
- A weekend trip
- Date nights without wedding talk
You’ll never get this exact season back and it’s over before you know it.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to do everything at once.
Start with the big pieces, give yourself space to enjoy it, and remember, this isn’t just about planning a wedding. It’s about the start of your marriage.
