Did someone get down on one knee, slip a ring on your finger, and say the four little words you’ve been waiting to hear? Congratulations, you’re engaged! You’re about to embark on an incredible journey with the love of your life, and the Wedding Shoppe can’t wait to be a part of it.

But where to begin? The first month after getting engaged can be a whirlwind, especially if you’re planning on tying the knot within 12-18 months. Below are some tips to help you get started. From engagement ring insurance to your wedding planning timeline, we’re here to help!

Wtoo Cavanaugh Wedding Dress | Kristina Hendrickson Photography

What To Do After Getting Engaged

Right now you’re probably thinking: “I just got engaged, now what?” The wedding to-do list is going to get out of hand, but for now you should start with a few of the first steps. We compiled a list of 10 most important things to do after getting engaged!

1. Enjoy the Moment!

Before you jump into the wedding planning process, take a second to savor the moment. Then take a few photos! Get that glam ring selfie! And of course plenty of photos with your husband-to-be. 

2. Announce Your Engagement to Loved Ones

Okay, maybe not the whole world. But calling your parents, grandparents, siblings, and best friend(s) is a good place to start. Make sure your loved ones hear the news from you, rather than social media. After all, getting engaged is as momentous for your loved ones as it is for you! If you have the time, you can send out engagement announcement cards!

3. Insure Your Engagement Ring

As soon as possible, we highly recommend getting your ring resized. Your heart will drop each time it slips and slides on your finger. And trust us, you’ll be showing it off a lot. You should also purchase engagement ring insurance. While the sentimental value could never be replaced, engagement ring insurance ensures that your investment will.

Haley Jessat Photography

4. Set Your Wedding Budget

If you and your fiancé have discussed getting engaged, you will have hopefully also discussed your wedding budget. If not, do so as soon as possible. Some of the most significant investments occur in the first weeks of the wedding planning timeline, and having a budget in place will make it a lot less stressful.

5. Select a Wedding Season

Setting a date may be a stretch, but selecting a season will help with your wedding planning timeline. It will also allow you to research vendors, venues, and seasonal prices. The sooner you start the better!

Bordeaux Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses | Tiffany Backmeier Photo

6. Create a Wedding Planning Timeline

Once you select a season, it’s time to create your wedding planning timeline. Our wedding planning guide will be a big help! Choosing vendors and venues will always be the first step, and shopping for your dream dress and wedding party attire will soon follow. Creating a wedding planning timeline will help reduce wedding stress, and make sure the process remains fun!

7. Get the Family Together

If possible, get your parents together for dinner and drinks. Your families will probably be involved in the planning process and giving them a chance to get to know one another, exchange numbers, and discuss your dream day will help get the ball rolling. This is also an excellent opportunity to present them with your wedding budget, discuss the guest list, and get advice!

8. Book a Wedding Photographer and Wedding Venue

We asked a few of our Wedding Shoppe brides-to-be, and they all agree that choosing your venue and finding a photographer are first on the wedding to-do list! If you have your heart set on a specific venue, availability may determine your wedding date. It’s also a good idea to find your photographer right away since you’ll want to use them for your engagement photos. Not to mention, the best ones always get booked up rather quickly!

Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses in Bordeaux | Matching Groomsmen Ties | Dani Nicole Photography

9. Plan On Pinterest

That’s right. You have my permission to spend as much time as you want on Pinterest & wedding blogs. Get inspired, and create a wedding that reflects both you and your fiance. Also, keep your budget in mind as you check things off your to-do list. 

10. Breathe

Getting engaged is something you have always dreamed of. Your big day will be a blast, but try to have fun during your engagement as well! Get your fiancé involved, but remember that the wedding shouldn’t take up your lives. Don't forget to take a moment to relax and pamper yourself. Go on romantic dates whenever you can to remember why you’re doing all of this in the first place.

How to Announce Your Engagement

Getting proposed to is so exciting, you'll want to tell everyone! Before you post your engagement ring on Instagram or Facebook try to remember to tell your most important people directly! Your mom, dad, siblings, and best friends will all appreciate getting a call or text about your engagement instead of seeing it on the internet for the first time.

After you’ve told your closest family and friends and posted on social media, you might want to go a step further. Engagement announcement cards are a great way to let all your distant relatives and friends who live out of state know that you just got engaged.

The easiest and most affordable way to send out engagement announcements in 2023 is to send them digitally. Below are some really adorable templates for digital announcements. You can even have them printed to make cards to mail your less-technologically-savvy loved ones.

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Engagement Announcement Card Template

We love the script on this simple white and black engagement announcement. Just pick one of your favorite photos with your fiancé and fill in the details and you’re set!

Photo Engagement Announcement Card Template

This template features one big photo of you and your fiancé, making it the focal point. These are perfect to print out for your parents’ fridge, just saying.

Black & White Engagement Announcement Digital Template

If you can’t choose just one perfect photo, this black and white engagement announcement has plenty of room for a few different ones!

Get Started Planning Your Wedding!

Ready to get down to a more detailed to-do list? We also have a Wedding Planning Guide available for the rest of the wedding planning process. From venue to dresses to day-of timelines this guide explains everything you need to know about wedding planning.

Now go off and plan your dream day! The Wedding Shoppe will be here every step of the way.