Newly engaged? Congratulations! There is nothing quite like that feeling of that new sparkly engagement ring on your finger. You may be wondering what to do next. In this blog post, I’ll tell you the first things to do when getting engaged so you can start planning stress-free and right on track.

P.S. There’s a giveaway in this blog post: scroll to bottom of page or here to enter!

While you may have a thousand questions spinning around in your head right now, before you do anything, wait just a minute. The best answer to what to do after getting engaged: savor it.

And rock this mug, because it’s amazing. (By ByTracey.)

Or this one by Sweetwater Decor:

Because pretty soon, you’ll be knee-deep in tulle and favor ribbons and invitation styles, trying to figure out how to seat your guests and drinking wine while cursing to yourself, so catch your breath right now. Let the moment sink is one of the best things to do after proposal — and before your latest snaps or reels make their way onto your favorite social media platform. :) Ha!

Whether you’re wondering the most important things to do after engagement and before marriage, what to do after the proposal, how long after you get engaged to start planning, or what NOT to do when you get engaged, you’ll find all the answers right here.

And I don’t want to waste your time — you have a wedding to plan! Um, after savoring that newly-engaged feeling, of course. So, take a deep breath, and let’s get started!

P.S. This is also a helpful article if you are wondering, my daughter just got engaged now what. Just send it to her using the social links at the bottom of your screen. So easy!

How Soon After Getting Engaged Should You Start Planning?

Some couples waste no time when getting engaged to jump right into wedding planning. Others wait a few weeks. I recommend waiting at least two to three weeks after getting engaged to start planning to simply savor it and let it all settle in: you’re getting married! This is an exciting time in your life and there’s no need to start stressing yourself out by planning too quickly. Take your time: start browsing inspiring wedding blogs, wedding magazines, books, etc. to get ideas, but wait a few weeks before you make actual wedding plans or set a date just yet.

How Long After Getting Engaged Should You Get Married?

On average, most engagements last anywhere from 12 months to 18 months. I recommend at least one full year to plan your wedding, plus additional time if you’re still working on your budget and figuring out how much you want or have to spend.

What is the First Thing You Should Do After Getting Engaged?

This is probably the most frequently asked question by couples after getting engaged: what is the first thing to do next? Spread the news, of course!

Here are some tips to help you navigate and decide what to do after the proposal — and what not to do when you get engaged.

1. Share the happy news!

Tell your loved ones the exciting news: you’re newly engaged and you can’t wait to marry the love of your life!

There’s one major mistake to avoid when you’re telling the news: it matters who and when you tell people, so listen up! One mistake to avoid is telling everyone on social media before sharing the big news in person or with a phone call. This is very important: family and closest friends should be told first, in person if possible or via phone call. Then go ahead and obliterate your social media channels with your excitement: everyone will love to hear about it!

And now is a great idea to get a manicure to show off that bling as best as you can. ;) (Read: How to Get the Best Wedding Nails in 3 Easy Steps.)

2. Make sure your ring fits properly.

Wearing your engagement ring at first feels great, but also sort of funny! If you’re not used to wearing a ring all the time, it takes some getting used to. After the initial week of wearing it constantly, you’ll probably feel like it has been there all along.

If not, it could mean your ring does not fit properly.

One of the best things you can do after getting engaged is to get your ring fitting perfectly.

• If your ring is too loose, get one of these to keep it from spinning.

• If your ring is too tight, bring it to a jeweler to have it possibly made larger, which depends on the ring itself.

If you need to get it resized, need to insure it, do it now.

And while you’re taking care of the ring, it’s a perfect time to get a ring dish so you have a specific place to keep your ring in a safe spot when you do need to take it off (for cleaning, gardening, washing, working out, etc.) You don’t need to spend a lot to get a cute ring dish on Etsy. This one is under $15, personalized! By SimpleSentimental.

3. Don’t act weird with your fiance.

You may be wondering how to behave with your fiancé after your engagement. The answer: the same as always.

So, yeah, stop being awkward! ;)

Yes, you’re engaged to be married, but that doesn’t mean your discussions must now shift to 100% wedding talk all the time. Don’t stop going on fun date nights together, trying your local new restaurants, playing some mean board games, going for walks, hikes, etc.

Don’t fill up all your spare conversation with wedding talk. I mean, yeah, obviously you’re going to talk about it a lot, but don’t make it the ONLY thing because that will get old pretty quickly and you do not want to go all bridezilla. Ha!

Date night is fun, can be inexpensive, and will keep the romance alive. Plus, everyone needs a wedding planning break. Don’t get obsessed in the planning process — have fun with it, enjoy the process, and make time for your soon-to-be spouse. Read: 50 Best Fun (+ Cheap!) Date Ideas for inspiration.

4. Create a wedding budget.

The best thing you can do right away is to create a budget. I know, exciting, amiright?!

Making a wedding budget may not the most exciting thing to do, but it is important: if you tackle your wedding budget early, you’ll have a better idea of what kind of wedding you should plan, how big it should be, how much you have to spend, and when to get married.

A wedding budget breakdown is easily the first part of the big puzzle you’re about to put together: here’s exactly how to put together your wedding budget with exact cost percentages.

5. Decide Where and When to Get Married

After you’ve created an idea of your budget, you can decide where (venue and location) and when (season and date) to get married.

Season goes hand-in-hand with budget: peak wedding season is May through September which are the most expensive months to get married.

In addition to cost, when do you WANT to get married, seasonally? If you’re not sure when exactly, think about your favorite season when you’d like to get married. Here are some suggestions to see what season is best for you.

• Fall

Do you dream of getting married in an outdoor (or indoor) fall wedding? YOU MAY LIKE: seasonal colors like rich gold, red, and orange; apple-themed weddings; fall favorites like a hot apple cider or pumpkin spice coffee bar; donuts; pumpkin themed everything; caramel apple favors for guests to-go, and cozy blankets for guests to stay warm. Sunflower bouquets, velvet bridesmaid dresses… ahh, there’s so much to love. We have our top Fall Wedding Trends here for inspo — and don’t forget a denim jacket for you, obviously. :)

• Winter

Do you like a winter wonderland wedding or Christmas inspired reception? I was a December bride myself, so I totally understand. :) You may love sparkly details for over-the-top icy inspiration, or go subdued with greenery and pops of rich reds. Evergreen wreaths; romantic lanterns as centerpieces; a faux fur wrap for you; ornaments as wedding favors for your guests; cookies as take-home favors; gorgeous Christmas-inspired bouquets like this; ultra-plush velvet table runners and velvet napkins; hot chocolate favors… just to name a few. :)

Make sure you choose the best winter bridesmaid dresses for your girls to keep warm — and don’t forget a faux fur wrap!

You can browse our top Winter Wedding Ideas for more inspiration.

• Spring

Spring flowers are blooming, and the weather is finally getting nicer… spring weddings are obviously one of the most popular times to tie the knot! You may be dreaming of a lemon-themed bridal shower or perhaps honey themed wedding; pops of yellow in your color palette and bouquets of wildflowers and daisies; cool hedge backdrops; fun, fruity lollipop escort cards; rose petals tossed down the aisle; floral centerpieces in boxes like these, and so much more. Read: The 20 Best Spring Wedding Favors for 2020 for additional inspiration.

• Summer

Ahh, summer weddings: the most popular time of year to get married! You’re dreaming of warm weather, a nice hot ceremony outdoors, perhaps even a beach wedding; nautical themed weddings are popular around this time of year, along with beach bachelorette parties (or pool parties). You may be picking out short bridesmaid dresses, picking out beach bridal sandals to wear.

For stationery, floral patterned invitations, programs, and menus are in; since many outdoor weddings are perfectly temperate, things like wedding aisle signs, passed appetizers and cocktail hour with lawn games, and outdoor receptions with a tent like this and dancing under the stars are all fair game! This is the perfect time of year for a starry night wedding. For more ideas, read: browse our summer archives.

Need inspiration for a wedding theme? Check out the 50+ wedding themes and use them to help you pick your favorite. Once you do, planning will be smooth like buttah.

You may also like reading my book on wedding themes. Yup, I wrote the book on it! Read: The Inspired Wedding by Emma Arendoski. It is a terrific book to read right after getting engaged. You’ll be inspired by seven wedding themes, each a different chapter; you’ll find beautiful easy-to-apply ideas, creative twists, and gorgeous Real Wedding photos to inspire you and walk you through planning from start to finish. You can buy it here. You can get the Kindle version here.

Guest List

You’ll also want to discuss your guest list, since it will directly impact your budget. For help on this topic, I highly recommend this wedding budget book. It has been around for a long time but continues to impress us with its thoroughness. You can buy it here.

A checklist book — like this one specifically — also helps with checking off wedding to-do’s every step of the way.

Worried you’ll hurt feelings? Read: How to Cut Your Guest List Without Guilt.

6. Visit Venues and Set a Date.

Check out local wedding venues near you — or browse online if you’re planning a destination wedding. Once you meet with the venue director in person or via Zoom, read over the contracts, and decide where you’d like to get married — the ceremony and the reception — it’s time to set a date.

You will likely need to put down a deposit to secure a date, so have it ready to go!

Once the date is set… you’re clearly well on your way to planning the incredible wedding of yours!

7. Have engagement photos taken.

Hire a photographer (browse our Wedding Pros List to find one locally!) for engagement photos + have them taken soon. You’ll be happy to have photos from this memorable time in your life AND, if you like his or her work, you’ll already have your wedding photographer picked out. Easy!

When To Get Engagement Photos Taken?

The best time to get engagement photos taken is in the first few weeks of getting engaged. That blissful time is a perfect reason to hire a photographer to snap some photos of the excitement you’re feeling — and by doing so, you’ll possibly find your future wedding photographer in the process.

You can also browse Real Weddings to see how other couples made their dreams come true. We have a huge archive, so grab some coffee + dive right in.

And now there’s one last thing to do:

8. Send Save the Date cards.

Now you’re sharing the news again, this time with an official announcement: you’ve set a date! Send save the date cards to your family and friends. If you’ve taken pictures, save the dates are a great way to put your engagement photos to good use! You can get non-photo or photo save the dates: there’s no right or wrong style to choose, it’s 100% up to you.

Read:

• Save the Date vs. Invitation: What’s the Difference?

• 9 Best Places for Cheap Save the Date Cards

• When to Send Out Save the Date Cards

I love this one! By LeighLouiseCreative.

And this one by Hooray Creative:

Or these coaster save the dates by NestingProjectPaper!

And now… breathe. That’s a lot to do for now. Take a break! :)

When you’re ready to pick up more to-dos, read: 50+ Things Not to Forget at Your Wedding (CHECKLIST). It’s extremely helpful at making sure you don’t miss a thing.

Treat Yourself: Engagement Gifts for Newly Engaged Couples

Now is a great time to commemorate the occasion for yourself or a newly engaged couple. We have the best newly engaged gifts:

• 50+ Most Unique Engagement Gifts for Her

or

• 50 Best Wedding Gifts for Couples

In addition, here are some new finds:

And last but not least, check out these three things:

SUBSCRIBE

And of course, subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates from Emmaline Bride. We’ll help you plan from start to finish! Need something? Just ask: we’re always here to help! :)

NEWLY ENGAGED FREEBIES

Who doesn’t love freebies? Newly engaged couples: be sure to enter our wedding giveaways! They’re free + so much fun.

Speaking of… let’s do one right now!

GIVEAWAY

We’re giving away a cute newly engaged mug so you can show off that sparkler! It is made by SweetwaterDecor and looks like this:

• Enter 11/7/22-11/22/22 (11:59pm EST) on this web page
• Use the giveaway form below to enter
• Prize: One (1) engaged mug, 16oz mug by Sweetwater Decor | Prize value: Est. $18 (includes free shipping to USA, international winner pays shipping)
• No cash value
• Winner will be randomly selected and announced on this blog post on 11/23
• Winner will be notified via email and has 72 business hours to respond to winning email or new winner will be selected

Good luck!

So, tell us: are you newly engaged? Wondering where to start after getting engaged or what to do after the proposal? Let us know if you have additional questions in the comment box below.

Hope it helps!

xo
Emma