POV: You just said the most exciting “YES!” of your entire life!
Congratulations on your engagement! I am *sure* you are on cloud nine right now and cannot wait to spend forever with the love of your life. But first, you have a dreamy wedding day to plan! Wondering where to start? As both a former bride and a professional wedding photographer, I am here for you sharing 5 things to do after getting engaged! 🙂
01 Set a Date + Budget
Sometimes it is hard to set a date before you have booked the church or venue. However, before you book any other vendors, it is important to have your date set. Start by narrowing down to the time of year you want to have your wedding. If you have a specific church or venue in mind, reach out to see what dates they have available!
It is also important to begin with a budget. Have a wedding planning date with the LOYL and discuss what is most important to the two of you. From here, you will be able to allocate your budget and vendor booking order accordingly.
02 Get Inspired
You have been dreaming about this day your entire life and after all, it only happens once! When will you again have all of your family and friends together at one time? Relish in this sweet time and get inspired. Follow all of the wedding inspiration accounts, make all of the pin boards, and have all the fun!
Here are some of my favorite wedding accounts to follow:
For DMV area couples:
03 Book Your Venue, Planner, + Photographer
Oftentimes, the vendor booking order looks like this: 1) venue, 2) planner, 3) photographer.
Venue: As mentioned above, you should inquire as soon as possible if you have a specific church and/or reception venue that your heart is set on. Create a list of venues that fit your vision, schedule tours, and ask questions!
Wedding Planner: Hiring my wedding planner was the best decision I made as a bride. I have continued working alongside planners throughout my career and am always so grateful they are there! I highly recommend a wedding planner to any couple, who values being fully present, staying organized, and reducing stress around planning such gatherings and events. A good wedding planner will offer endless resources, guide you every step of the way, and of course, help bring your wedding day vision to life!
Wedding Photographer: Naturally, this is a topic I love and was in my top tier important wedding vendors when I was a getting married. Read here for more information about how to choose a wedding photographer!
04 Create the Guest List
Creating your guest list is important for knowing your numbers, but it doesn’t need to be overly stressful. (Save the stress for your seating chart and even this, your wedding planner can handle 😉
A few thoughts to get you started:
- Write down everyone. Yes, everyone. And then begin to narrow down.
- Don’t forget plus one’s.
- Will you allow children, or will your wedding be adults only?
05 Treasure this time – it goes by so quickly!
You just read a list of things to do after getting engaged, but the most – and I dare say, only – important thing to do is this: cherish the time together. You are going to look back on this time with the utmost fondness and sheesh! It really really does go by so fast! Enjoy. Every. Second. Pop the champagne and throw an engagement party. Pour some wine and light a candle before every wedding planning moment. You are entering into a life-long journey together and these memories will be with you throughout!
I wish you all the best during your wedding planning and beyond!
Inquire here for more information about my wedding photography services or to inquire about your wedding date.
Alexis El Massih is a wedding and portrait photographer serving Washington DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the greater DMV area.
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