Congratulations! You’re engaged, and it’s time to start planning your wedding. As a Denver wedding photographer, I’ve been to many beautiful weddings, but wedding planning is a lot! According to an American Wedding Study survey, the average American wedding costs $32,641. And that doesn’t include some more popular expenses like engagement rings and honeymoons. There’s no doubt about it – weddings are expensive! If you want a small gathering or a big bash with 500 family members and friends. We’ve got you covered. There are ways to save money while still enjoying your special day. Here is my list of 6 essential things to do after you get engaged.

Spend Time Together – Enjoy Being Engaged

After you get engaged, it’s essential to enjoy your engagement. You’ve been waiting for this moment all your life. Now you can finally relax and be happy with the person that makes you happy. Here are some things that will help.

First, plan a date night or weekend away. It’s easy to get caught up in planning the wedding and meeting with vendors, but don’t forget about each other! Go out on dates together and enjoy being engaged.

Perhaps celebrate with friends and family. Have fun celebrating your engagement with those closest to you. Consider throwing a small party or just having dinner out as a couple. Celebrate this time together and remember why you chose one another.

Decide on a Wedding Budget

Now that you’ve decided to get married, it’s time to decide how much you can afford. Your wedding budget will help determine the size and style of your wedding. Before making final decisions about your big day, sit down with your partner. Discuss what is important to each of you. Are there financial limits? Do either of you have a specific dream in mind? Is there anything in particular that must be included in the planning process? Once these questions have been answered, write down all expenses. This will make seeing things simultaneously easier when looking at different vendors or venues.

If, after setting up this initial list, it becomes clear that there aren’t enough funds available for everything on your wish lists, pivot. Couples should try not only to look into ways they can save money. Consider picking your top three must haves for your wedding, after that let the rest fall within budget.

Create your Guest List – Essential Things to Do After You Get Engaged

The first thing you should do after getting engaged is create your ideal guest list. I don’t think you should get into the nitty-gritty of it but get a general idea. This can be daunting, especially if you’re unsure how many people to invite or who to include.

The first step is to ensure that all family members and friends are included in the process—parents and siblings, too! You’ll want them there on your big day so they don’t feel left out or forgotten.

When deciding who else gets an invite, think about the people you would like at the wedding. Often, we think we need to invite everyone we know; however, more guests equals a higher budget! Finally, consider whether any potential guests could cause drama on such an important day.

Run To Pinterest for Inspiration

Pinterest is a great place to find ideas for your wedding. You can look at other people’s weddings and get inspiration for what you want. You can even browse through pictures of dresses that look good. Of course, Pinterest isn’t the only place where you can find inspiration for your big day–but it’s an excellent one!

Decide Where You’ll Get Married and Hold the Reception

Once you decide to get married, the next step is deciding where to hold your reception. The venue should be a reflection of who you are as a couple. It should also accommodate your guest list and be located in an area convenient for everyone attending. Not just those who live nearby or can afford travel expenses.

The most important thing when choosing a location is affordability. Once guests have RSVP’d, it’s unlikely that anyone will cancel at short notice if they have already made plans around their attendance at your wedding. Remember: You don’t need an extravagant setting for your big day!

Book Your Vendors – Essential Things to Do After You Get Engaged

Next on your list of essential things to do after you get engaged is to book your photographer, florist, and caterer. One of the best ways to ensure you have great pictures from your big day is to book your photographer early. This way, they can get to know you, help plan out how they want to shoot the various moments throughout the day, and make sure they’re available on the day itself.

Book your florist and caterer. Once you’ve found someone who can do what needs doing at a price point that works for both of you, book them immediately! This will prevent any last-minute scrambling if something falls through or gets too expensive due to demand or weather issues. It also ensures that those vendors will be available during the wedding season.

Congratulations on your engagement! We hope that this has inspired you with some ideas for what to do next. Of course, there are many more things to consider. Feel free to reach out if you need help planning your big day.