I'm engaged! Now what???

First I’d focus on establishing your budget, making up a tentative guest list (doesn’t have to be set in stone, but just figure out a ballpark for how many people you’ll want to invite... like if it’s 20, 50, 100, 300, etc) then look at venues!

I would create guest list then budget. After you have those to things I would look for venues. Once you have a venue secured then you can proceed with booking other venues. I would recommend getting a wedding book to help you stay organized. The one I used was by The Knot and it was very helpful.


https://www.amazon.com/ultimate-wedding-planner-organizer-binder/dp/0770433367/ref=asc_df_0770433367/?tag=hyprod-20&linkcode=df0&hvadid=312132076760&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12232629616215802441&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9006810&hvtargid=aud-801738734305:pla-434335069873&psc=1

View Quoted Comment I made the mistake of going to a few venues already and we haven't even figured out our guest list yet. What you're saying makes sense! Thanks!

View Quoted Comment Yeah definitely get a ballpark of how many people you want to invite. It sucks to see so many brides on here book their dream venue and then realize their guest list is 150 but the venue only holds 75, and then either you have to give up your dream venue or cut your guest list... to me at least, guest list and getting to invite everyone we wanted was the most important thing. Like, if we were going to have a big wedding (not an elopement or micro wedding) I wanted to make sure I had no regrets with leaving anyone out. That was more important to me than any venue! So I’d just save yourself the trouble of having to choose between venue and guests, and only look at venues that can accommodate the # of people you want

Guest list, budget, venue!! Congrats by the way. Also keep in mind that things like photographers book fast, and catering will probably cost you a pretty penny. There's a lot to plan, but enjoy this time too! It's a celebration of love and commitment.

View Quoted Comment Thank you Veronica! My sister actually just bought me one! It's huge!

View Quoted Comment Makes perfect sense! I already feel like the bulk of the number will be coming from my side and the idea of "cutting someone" because of a venue would be heartbreaking. Thank you!

View Quoted Comment Thank you Kathryn 😊 It's funny you say that "enjoy

View Quoted Comment Don't know why my last comment was cut but thank you 😊! My fiance actually made the same comment to me when I started to stress..."enjoy being engaged". Thank you for reminding me about the photographer!

View Quoted Comment Honestly, I was super stressed until someone told me "if all goes well, you're only engaged once". Then I realized that that really does make this a small window of time when two people are planning to meld their lives. My FH and I are pretty much there - we have almost lived together for a year and are planning our next moves as a team. The day itself should really be a celebration. I think brides take it all a little too seriously and sometimes end up stressing so much over minor details that they forget to actually enjoy the process of getting married, the celebrating of finding that one person who doesn't mind your bad habits and your personality flaws.


Just my two cents lol

View Quoted Comment Thank you for your two cents! You're absolutely right! The last thing I want to do is stress out so much about it that we actually dread the wedding or worse... It gets really ugly and it doesn't happen! Need to keep it all in perspective. Thank you and congratulations to you as well!

View Quoted Comment Thanks!!! We have two and a half months give or take - April 4th. I'm ready to finish up these details lol!! And enjoy my time as a Ms. Because I'll be spelling both my names soon enough.

View Quoted Comment 😄 the finish line is in sight!

Just wanted to say thank you for the advice! Looks like I've already got some great tools available and need to get that guest list started! Congratulations to you all and many blessings in your marriages💒❤️!!


I'm sure I'll be reaching out again lol

View Quoted Comment Awesome! That should be a big help then.

One step at a time! Don't stress, you don't want to feel overwhelmed during this exciting and fun time! We started with a basic budget then a rough guest list. We were able to figure out around how many people we will invite so we could start looking at the appropriate venues and have a better idea of our budget. Also get a planning book of some sort to write all your ideas or questions, etc. I went to TJ MAXX and just got a planner with pockets and a notepad to keep track of everything

View Quoted Comment Yeah, there's so many little details! You're right though, I need to just pause and attack one thing at a time. I think I started to just think about everything all at once and it was just way too much. Thank you!

View Quoted Comment Fingers crossed! 🤞🏼😊

Hi Dania,
Congratulations, how exciting for you!! as already mentioned, determine your approximate guest list and budget, then try and book your venue and photographer as these two things can be booked up 2 years in advance! also decide how much of your budget can be spent on food and ( beverage if you have an open bar ) also your dream 👗 dress, then consider how much you want to spend on flowers and DJ or band. Most importantly, DON'T STRESS, one day at a time, everything will fall into place! Enjoy dress shopping, it's so much fun, I recommend taking pictures of ones you think could be your dream dress, and try on a good selection, you'll know in your ❤️ when you have found it, I tried on about 30 before I chose mine ( and I still have some doubt ) my dress is from Stella York, style 6979, if you care to see it! Good luck fellow 👰 to be!!

View Quoted Comment Thank you and congratulations to you as well!


Gulp! 2 years in advance!! Oh gosh! (insert deep breathing) You're the second to mention a photographer so I'll have to get on that sooner rather than later. Good to know.
I'm trusting that I'll have that same "you'll just know feeling" when I start that process. Already looking at different styles online. Oh.....that dress is beautiful 👰 just looked it up. You'll look stunning I'm sure!