You’re Engaged! NOW WHAT?!
10 steps to take after you’ve said yes.
The fire is crackling and the Christmas tree is aglow. You open up a small gift addressed to you, and then you see it…THE GIFT OF ALL GIFTS!! A sparkling diamond that rivals the star atop your tree! You look up to see your beloved down on one knee with a nervous smile, and you know this is a Christmas you’ll never forget!
Sound familiar? The holiday season is the most popular time of year for couples to get engaged, with about 40% of engagements happening between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. Christmas Day tops the list, with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve/Day also in the top five. So if you are among those who are sporting a new ring, or if you’re the one who popped the question this holiday season, you may be wondering…”Now what?” We’ve put together this 10 step guide to help you through the pre-planning stage of your wedding.
Announce It
You’re overjoyed at this exciting development in your life and you want to shout it from the social media rooftops. BUT WAIT! There is a bit of an etiquette protocol you’ll want to follow here.
First, share the news with your inner circle - those you are closest with, such as parents, grandparents, siblings and close friends. When possible, this should be done in person or with a phone call. It’s okay to leave some of the extended family announcements up to your parents. Chances are they’ll be overjoyed to call Aunt Betsy and let her know that their baby is getting married!
Next, contact your outer circle – this is your larger friend group, and maybe some cousins or other family you’re close to. This can be a digital announcement such as a text or email.
Finally, once all the VIPs have been told, you’re free to share it with the world. Update your Facebook relationship status, post a single, tasteful photo of your ring on Instagram, and tweet “Guess who’s getting married!!!”
Appraise and Insure Your Ring
You love your new ring and you’re never ever, ever taking it off your finger. So why does it need to be insured, right? Because things happen. Stones fall out, rings are forgotten on the bathroom counter, and the band may need to be resized and left with a jeweler. Insurance makes sure you’ll never be without your favorite piece of jewelry.
Talk About a Budget
Having a conversation early on about how much money you’re able to spend will help you to allocate funds to the aspects of the wedding that are most important to you, and will help you to avoid going over budget.
Webb’s will help you work within your budget to plan your best day ever. https://www.webbscaptainstable.com/weddings
Roughly Estimate the Size of Your Guest List
This is another thing that will help you to set your budget for different parts of the wedding. A large guest list will mean more money needs to be set aside for food and drinks, favors, and any other amenities you plan to offer your guests. It will also determine what venues are going to be available to you.
Webb’s offers 5 fully customizable banquet rooms with seating for up to 200 people! We also have a covered patio just outside of our Big Banquet Room that is perfect for warmer weather ceremonies and cocktail hours.
Pick Your Bridal Party
Keeping it simple is your best bet here. You may have a large group of friends, but that doesn’t mean they all need to be in your bridal party, and many may prefer to just enjoy being a guest. There is actually a trend towards not having any bridal party, other than a Maid of Honor and Best Man. Remember, the more people involved in your wedding, the more potential for complications.
Looking for a small “Will you be my bridesmaid/groomsman” gift? Check out these finds at Webb’s Cottage Collection!
Pick a Date and Venue
These two are dependent on each other. Decide which is more important (the day or the place), and focus your search around that. If your dream has always been to have a waterfront wedding, then you may need to be flexible on the date in order to make that happen.
Choose the Style of Your Wedding
Are you a black tux, full length gown and red roses kind of couple? Or a linen suit, tea length dress and hydrangeas kind of couple? Your wedding style should reflect your personalities and the kind of life you hope to have together. Some venues may predetermine the style because of the setting or décor, but others are neutral enough to work with anything your Pinterest-loving heart desires. If you’re picturing a rustic barn wedding, but are worried about Grandma Josephine using a Porta-John, there’s no reason that same rustic feeling can’t be perfectly achieved in a more traditional setting with full amenities.
The style you decide on will also influence many of the other choices for your wedding, so this is a step that needs to happen before you move any further in the planning.
Webb’s classic decor will complement any style you choose!
Take Engagement Photos
This is an opportunity to beautifully capture the way you were before you were married. These photos will be perfect to use as wall décor in your first home together, but also as images for bridal shower invitations or wedding thank you notes.
Webb’s has a network of talented photographers we would love to connect you with for your engagement and wedding needs.
Pick up some frames at Webb’s Cottage Collection to showcase your favorite engagement photos!
Create a Wedding Website
For the digitally inclined, a wedding website is a wonderful way to keep your friends and family apprised of all the information they need for your wedding. Not just date and time; it can also include gift registry information, event info such as showers or rehearsal dinners, travel info for out of town guests, and even an easy way for them to RSVP. Don’t forget to post some of those gorgeous engagement photos to the page as well!
Our favorite customizable wedding website is Wedding Wire. While you’re there, be sure to check out our page and read our reviews!
Throw an Engagement Party!
Come back next month for Engagement Party Ideas…
