The Holidays are a peak time for engagements, which means many of you may have found yourself with a ring on your ring finger and a wedding on your mind! Congratulations! Whether your timeline is six months or one year, engagements can be a whirlwind of planning and bliss all at once. We will help you figure out what to do next! Here are 10 things to cross off your check list now that you are engaged:

1. Share it with the world. Engagement is a wonderful, exciting season. It’s time to let all your family and friends know that you said yes! Be sure to call your family (even extended) and close circle of friends before posting it on Facebook or social media!

Photo by Blake Reynolds

2. Get organized. It’s time to plan! Invest in a good wedding planning notebook like this or this to house all of your inspiration and wedding checklists! Stock up on wedding magazines and bookmark those wedding blogs. Some of our favorites are Green Wedding Shoes, Once Wed, and Style Me Pretty! Also, follow wedding boards on Pinterest to keep the inspiration flowing! Finally, we’re big fans of wedding and event planners around here and work with many awesome ones. They’re a great choice to help you manage all the details and focus on what’s really important.

Photo by Jenn Best Photography

3. Set up a wedding blog or website. Having a hub for your wedding can be a source used by guests to stay in the loop. You can add in details about your engagement story, your wedding date, and registry links.

4. Dream big with your new fiance! Planning a wedding can be a great way of getting to know each other even better. Take the time to dream about what your day could look like and key things you want to incorporate.

Photo by Blake Reynolds

5. Set a budget. As uncomfortable as this may be, figuring out the budget for your wedding will be a key part to planning the details. This helps give perspective to what you can realistically afford, what you want to splurge on, and what you can minimize. Find out what’s important to you and prioritize your budget accordingly.

6. Make a guest list. Before ordering your save the dates or wedding invitations, be sure to know who you will be sending them to.  Make out a list of the people you want there, and be sure to ask both your parents and his for their ideal guest list. A good rule of thumb is that about 75% of the people you send invitations to will attend.

Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography

7. Design and send out your save the dates. Save the dates should go out 6-8 months before your wedding day. It is common to choose a design that corresponds with your wedding invitation, setting the tone for your day. A great way to keep guests in-the-loop is to include directions to your wedding blog where they can learn more about you two as a couple, search through your registry, and find accommodation options. Once you’ve decided on a date, be sure to jump on booking the big parts of your day like venue, photographer, and catering.

Photo by Blake Reynolds

8. Who runs the world? Girls! Now’s the time! Pick the girls you want by your side on your big day. Even better, plan a fun, creative way of asking your girls to be your bridesmaids. We have plenty of cards at the shop to help you do the asking!

 9. Wedding Invitations. A rule of thumb for wedding invitations is to send them out 6-8 weeks before the wedding. Set up an appointment with your designer/stationer up to 6 months ahead of time to design your perfect invitation. We may be biased, but we think this is one of the most important parts of your wedding! Allow yourself time to research, create mood boards, and sift through different options to find a design that perfectly encompasses you and your sweetie as a couple. Click here to read about our services and schedule an appointment.

Photo from Bella Figura

10. Finally, enjoy the process. The process of planning is just as important as your big day. Take the time to enjoy this season of engagement, planning for your future, and soaking up the last few months of dating. Take time to remember and reflect on little moments and memories, holding on to all the reasons you want to do life together. Plan dates, relax, write love notes, enjoy each other!

We hope these 10 tips help you navigate your way through engagement and wedding planning! To find more wedding inspiration, head over to our blog!

Content by Blake Reynolds