He popped the question. You said yes! Now what?
These 11 things – from the fun (get a manicure!) to the nitty-gritty (set your budget) – will help you figure out what to do first—and how to enjoy every second of the wedding planning process.
CALL YOUR VIPS
Share the big news with your inner circle before updating your status on Facebook. It’s not ok for your friend’s, brother’s uncle to find out before Grandma!
ENJOY THE MOMENT
Being engaged means you get to plan the wedding of your dreams. But it also means that you just committed to spending the rest of your life with your soul mate. Take some time (at least a couple of weeks) to savor how epically romantic that is before you dive into logistics.
GET YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING INSURED
It may not be the most thrilling task in the world, but if your engagement ring falls down the garbage disposal, flies off a rollercoaster, or sheds a diamond or two, you’ll be ever-so-glad you got that precious stone insured.
GET A MANICURE
Everyone’s eyes will be on your hand, so grab your BFF, splurge on a professional mani, and start showing off that sparkler!
START DREAMING
This is the fun part: brainstorming with your guy about the big day. Compare fantasies (tequila tastings! beach vows!), and sign up for a Pinterest account to create an online inspiration board. Go crazy—you can refine things after you’ve picked your venue.
SET YOUR WEDDING BUDGET
Ready to get down to the nitty-gritty? Settle on a rough guest list and budget. “Without them, you can’t book the right venue and vendors for your price point,” says wedding planner Tracy Taylor Ward.
GET OUT YOUR CALENDAR
Have a range of dates in mind before you tour venues. Are you envisioning a spring garden wedding, or fall I do’s in the woods? Do you want to honeymoon in Yosemite, or cruise the Caribbean? The answers will help steer you toward your ideal time of year. Tip: Ask engaged friends when they’re getting hitched, so you can avoid those dates. You don’t want your friends to have to choose who’s wedding they will go to.
HIRE A WEDDING PLANNING PRO
If you want to work with a wedding planner, book them before you choose your venue. Don’t think “We can’t afford a wedding planner” a lot of times a professional planner can save you money to offset the cost.
FIND A WEDDING VENUE
Your venue will influence every decision you make, from your color scheme to the style of your dress, so lock it down early. The key is finding one that meshes with your vision (black-tie ballroom, modern minimalist, etc.). And don’t be afraid to think beyond the banquet hall.
BOOK IN-DEMAND VENDORS
Once you’ve secured a venue and date, start hunting for your photographer, band or DJ. and officiant These vendors typically book just one event per day; they get scooped up very quickly.
STAY ORGANIZED
This is not the kind of party you can throw together at the last minute. Stay on track by creating a comprehensive timeline of your wedding to-dos.
Check out even more info from Brides Magazine for great wedding inspiration!