10 Things To Do When You Get Engaged
You just said “YES,” so what’s next?! The ten things on this list, is what! From your nails to your Netflix queue, we’ve got the 10 things you need to do as soon as that ring’s on your pretty little finger!
So, you think you’re a wedding pro, huh? You’ve been a bridesmaid countless times, done your duty as a maid of honor, and been to a zillion weddings, dominating every single one? Well, guess what? Now that YOU’RE the bride-to-be, it’s a whole other ball game. But, don’t worry, we’ve got you… Following are the 10 things you need to do as soon as you get engaged:
#1 – Get your nails did… STAT!
Ok, so this may be a totally vain thing to have at the top of this list, but here’s the thing: you’re going to be showing a TON of people your newly adorned hand, taking hand selfies like it’s nobody’s business, and staring at your finger for hours on end. Hence, head to your favorite nail place, and get those hands beautified right away. Once you’ve gotten the perfect mani to show off your bling, go forth and flaunt it; and don’t even consider being ashamed at gawking at your shiny new toy (just please don’t do it while you’re driving or walking down the street – we don’t want you to end up some totally tragic tale!).
#2 – Brush up on your storytelling skills
Everyone (and we mean EVERYONE!) is going to want to hear how your engagement went down. Was it on a mountaintop? Was breakfast-in-bed involved? Was your ring baked into your favorite kind of cupcake? You better get every nitty gritty detail down and get used to telling ’em over and over again. Part of the fun of getting engaged is sharing your story, so do whatever you need to do to make “So how did he do it?” a welcome question. Speaking of which….
#3 – Get ready to answer the “when” and “where” questions
After you tell the proposal story, next up everyone is going to want to know when and where your big day will happen. If you don’t have any idea yet, don’t freak out. Come up with a blanket statement that will keep friends and family off your back until you figure it out. Might we suggest, “We’re just really enjoying being engaged right now.” If they don’t take the hint, take ’em off the guest list. Just kidding 😉
#4 – Start a wedding website
You’ll feel pretty overwhelmed at first, but at the same time, you’ll want to jump in and start planning everything right away. But you have plenty of time and plenty of stress ahead, so take a deep breath and let it all sink in first. BUT, we know that’s way easier said then done, so go ahead and knock out something easy: your wedding website. The best thing to start with is by documenting your proposal story on the site… look at that – you’re knocking out two things on this list at once! Go you.
#5 – Figure out a budget
Suuuuuuper boring, we know. But also suuuuuuuuper important! The sooner you set your budget the better, because you don’t want to blow the whole thing on your dream venue only to find you don’t have any money left to feed your dang guests! No one likes talking about money, so these conversations may be a little uncomfortable. But suck it up, get it over with, and know what you’re working with – it will be worth it.
#6 – Book your besties for a movie night
… and we’re talking wedding movies! Another fun and easy way to dive into wedding planning without a ton of commitment is to get some serious wedding inspo in. Now’s the time to re-watch all your faves – Father of the Bride, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Wedding Planner – and get some ideas for your own big day. Make a day/night of it with your squad and a couple bottles of wine!
#7 – Answer the “when” and “where” question
Yeah, OK, so a minute ago we told you to answer all your friends and family with a blanket, noncommittal statement about the when and where of your upcoming nuptials. And while we still stand behind that, you and your groom-to-be should actually start figuring out a date and the type of venue you might want. Places book up quickly and you don’t want to miss out on something amazing because you dilly dallied for too long, staring at your ring and having “just said yes” sex. You know you’re doing it.
#8 – Book your floral designer!
Totally selfish plug (because, yes, we are totally implying you book Lilla Bello immediately!), but the bigger point is this… If you have vendors that you know you absolutely MUST have, you better bet there’s another bride out there who wants them too. Once you prioritize which vendors are most important (and which you are spending what amounts on – see #5!), book them ASAP. Otherwise they WILL get scooped up by someone else.
#9 – Hire a wedding planner or coordinator!
Yes, you are super excited to dive into planning your big day – you can’t wait to find the perfect dress, go cake tasting, plan your menu, ask your besties to be your bridesmaids… all of it. But the truth is, there is A LOT that goes into planning a wedding and pulling the whole thing off day of. A lot more than you probably realize. If you have a demanding job, or know you are going to have a particularly busy year; if you don’t have a great network of friends and family willing to help out or a fiancee that isn’t as fired up as you are, you should absolutely hire a wedding planner, or even just a coordinator who can help execute all the details when the big day rolls around. There are a ton of amazing ones out there who will make your life so much easier… Just do it, OK?
#10 – ENJOY BEING ENGAGED
Planning and budgets and everything we just laid out is definitely important but seriously, the MOST important thing is that you just got engaged! You’ve never been happier. People are throwing you parties left and right. It’s AWESOME. Enjoy your fiancee, spend some down time together, go out and do fun stuff together, celebrate with your friends and family…. this only happens once in your life, so cherish every single second and don’t get too caught up in the details!
xo #lillabello
ABOUT AUTHOR
Toby Kassoy, was born and raised in Southern California. In her college years she went up to Eugene Oregon, where she first fell in love with floristry. Upon returning to Los Angeles, she spent 8 years working in the Entertainment industry, while all along, flowers were always tugging on her heartstrings. In 2004 she decided to leave her corporate job and open Lilla Bello, aptly named after the beautiful lilac bushes she remembers outside her kitchen window in Oregon.
