The First 5 Things to Do After You’re Engaged
Congratulations, You’re Engaged!
Engaged couple holding hands and smiling in a field, celebrating the start of wedding planning.
Take a moment and soak it all in — you’re engaged! Whether you’ve been dreaming about this day for years or it came as a beautiful surprise, this is such an exciting next chapter in your life. You’re about to begin the journey of planning a day that celebrates your love, your story, and your future together.
Before diving into Pinterest boards and color palettes, it’s helpful to take a deep breath and start with a few foundational steps. These first actions will keep you grounded, organized, and supported — so you can enjoy the planning process rather than feel overwhelmed by it.
1. Celebrate Your Love
Newly engaged couple holding hands, woman showing her engagement ring.
Before anything else, take time to celebrate — just the two of you. Whether that means popping a bottle of champagne, taking a weekend getaway, or enjoying a cozy evening at home, this moment deserves to be savored. Your engagement is more than the start of wedding planning — it’s a season to reflect on the love that brought you here. Consider sharing the news with your closest family and friends in a personal way before making a public announcement. These quiet, meaningful moments will stay with you long after the planning ends.
2. Talk About Your Vision — Together
Engaged couple on a park bench planning their wedding.
Every couple is different, and your wedding should be a reflection of what matters most to you both. After the initial excitement of getting engaged settles in, take time to sit down together and talk through what your ideal wedding day looks and feels like. Do you imagine a large, traditional celebration with all your family and friends, or does something more intimate like an elopement or a small destination wedding feel more aligned with your style?
This is also a great moment to start discussing who you'd love to stand by your side — like potential bridal party members — and what kind of atmosphere you hope to create. Is it elegant and formal, relaxed and boho, colorful and playful, or timeless and romantic? You might even begin thinking about color schemes that resonate with you or particular seasons of the year that feel meaningful or practical. If you've always dreamed of a spring garden ceremony or a cozy fall celebration, now’s the time to explore those preferences.
Talk about what parts of the wedding feel most important. Is it the ceremony itself? The party afterward? An unforgettable meal, gorgeous photos, or meaningful personal touches? Everyone has different priorities, and by understanding yours as a couple early on, you’ll be able to make decisions that reflect what you truly care about — and avoid unnecessary stress down the road.
It’s also never too early to begin talking about your overall budget and how that might shape your planning. You don’t need to have exact numbers right away, but getting a sense of what you’re both comfortable with can help guide everything from the venue to the guest count. At this stage, the goal is to dream freely — while also beginning to align your vision with reality.
3. Hire a Wedding Planner (Before Booking a Venue!)
Engaged couple laughing with planner while exploring an outdoor venue.
One of the most important first steps you can take after getting engaged is hiring a wedding planner. While it may feel early, bringing a planner on board before booking your venue or other vendors can actually save you significant time, money, and stress. A professional planner will help you navigate countless decisions with confidence, connect you with trusted vendors, and bring clarity to your vision — all while keeping the planning process fun and meaningful.
At Amore Events, LLC, we offer a variety of planning packages tailored to fit different levels of support:
Full Service Planning – Perfect for couples who want a hands-on partner from start to finish. We handle every detail, from design and logistics to vendor management and timeline creation — so you can focus on enjoying your engagement.
Partial Planning – Ideal for couples who want to make a few key decisions themselves but don’t want to take on the full responsibility of wedding planning. We’ll step in to fill in the gaps, offer expert guidance, and keep everything running smoothly.
90-Day Coordination – Our signature offering designed to provide comprehensive support in the final three months leading up to your big day. We’ll take the reins to finalize details, communicate with vendors, and ensure everything runs flawlessly.
Destination Wedding Planning Package – Whether you're dreaming of a tropical beach or a romantic mountain retreat, we’ll manage all the moving parts of planning a destination celebration, making the process seamless and stress-free — no matter where you say “I do.”
Consultation-Only Package – Need guidance but prefer to handle the planning yourself? This option gives you access to our professional advice, tools, and resources through personalized consultations — so you can feel confident moving forward on your own terms.
Custom Wedding Planning Package – Every love story is different — and so are your planning needs. If you’re not sure where you fit or need something in between, we’re happy to create a custom package tailored just for you.
No matter what level of support you need, we’re here to make the planning process feel thoughtful, organized, and joyful — so you can focus on what really matters: celebrating your love.
4. Set a Budget and Guest Count Range
Newly engaged couple planning guest list and budget.
Yes, you may have already started thinking about your budget — but now’s the time to get clear on the numbers and create a realistic plan for sticking to them. Your budget will help guide every decision moving forward, from your venue and catering to floral design and entertainment.
Start by outlining a rough total budget and then determine your top priorities — maybe that’s a live band, dreamy florals, or an incredible photographer. From there, you can begin breaking down how much you’d like to allocate to each category, and identify where you’re willing to be flexible.
At the same time, start discussing your guest list. You don’t need a finalized count yet, but having a rough range (say, 80–120 guests) will help narrow down venues and influence your overall planning direction. Knowing how many people you’d like to celebrate with — and how much you’re comfortable spending — lays the foundation for a thoughtful and stress-free planning process.
5. Get Inspired — But Stay True to You
Newly engaged couple laughing at a coffee shop while exploring wedding inspiration on a laptop.
This is one of the most exciting (and fun!) parts of your wedding journey — diving into a world of inspiration. From Pinterest boards and Instagram reels to wedding blogs and magazines, there’s no shortage of stunning ideas waiting to spark your creativity. Mood boards, color palettes, floral concepts, themes — the possibilities are endless.
Whether you’re envisioning a romantic garden celebration, a chic city soirée, or a cozy mountaintop elopement, now’s the time to start collecting images, colors, and details that speak to your heart. Let yourself dream big and enjoy the process — this is where your vision starts to come to life!
As you explore, though, don’t forget to stay grounded in what feels true to you as a couple. It’s easy to get swept up in trends or feel pressure to recreate someone else’s aesthetic, but your wedding should reflect your unique story. Maybe that’s a nod to your culture, a shared passion, or the place where your love began.
Too much visual noise can become overwhelming, so curate your inspiration with intention. Choose elements that excite you and complement each other — creating a cohesive vision that feels deeply personal and beautifully you.
At the end of the day, the most memorable weddings are the ones that feel authentic. And that’s exactly what we’re here to help you create — a celebration that reflects your love, your style, and your story.
Your Next Chapter Starts Now!
Couple enjoying a quiet moment together, marking the beginning of their wedding planning journey.
Being engaged is such a joyful time. It’s full of anticipation, connection, and shared dreaming. By focusing on these first five steps, you’ll be laying the groundwork for a celebration that’s not only beautiful — but truly meaningful, stress-free, and uniquely you.
At Amore Events, LLC, we believe in helping couples feel seen, supported, and celebrated every step of the way. Whether you’re newly engaged or knee-deep in planning, we’d love to walk beside you.
Ready to begin? Let’s chat! Schedule your complimentary consultation today and let’s start planning a wedding that feels effortless, elegant, and entirely you.
