October 17, 2019
Congratulations on your new fiancé status! It just sounds so much better than boyfriend/ girlfriend. Being engaged is an electrifying time filled with joy from family and friends, as well as excitement about planning a wedding. Following the engagement celebrations, planning a wedding can sound like a daunting task. Most guys are clueless as to the machine that will start churning the moment he proposes. However, even brides who may have some idea of what the engagement season will bring can become overwhelmed quickly.
Engagement can be a time of chaos so be sure to take it one day at a time and follow these suggestions on what to start doing in the first few weeks!
Before anything happens, get a warranty and insurance for your engagement ring! It is essential to inquire about warranty options from the jeweler; a warranty can cover any diamonds or gems that may fall out, the band becoming bent, cosmetic damage, and cleanings. In addition to a warranty, be sure to insure it as well, which provides coverage for theft and loss of the ring. Call your insurance company and ask to add the ring as a scheduled personal property (they will need a bill of sale and photos).
Before racking up likes and congratulations from your social media following, don’t forget to tell family or friends before they see it online. This helps combat any drama or hurt feelings, even if it’s not intentional. It will be so much more special and personal coming from you first.
Whether you are detailed oriented or not, grab a planner off Amazon (Check out our resource page for our favorite) or the nearest bookstore. It’s a great resource to keep everything from business cards to random ideas in one place. Even if you download a planning app, a printed folder or planner will help keep you organized.
Get together with your fiancé, discuss your plans with family (if they're helping), and create a concrete wedding budget before you start planning. It can be easy to get swept up in the fantasy of an expensive wedding. However, it's no fun having to cut back when you realize you can't afford it. Save yourself some heartache and stick to your budget. No one wants to accumulate credit card debt before starting their lives together.
The first question everyone will ask is: When is your wedding date? While this date can change due to vendor availability, try to set at least a season and year. It gives you and your fiancé the space to start planning and answer everyone’s burning questions at the beginning of your engagement.
Some couples want to take engagement photos, while others prefer to celebrate with a party. Whatever fits your season and personalities, make sure to plan a fun event to look forward to. Don’t go right into the hectic wedding hullaballoo.
Make sure to take a step back, enjoy this time, and each other. Engagement is only celebrated once in a lifetime. Once again, congratulations and Happy Engagement!
Blog Post written by my daughter, Elizabeth Squirek. Check out her blog at https://somethingtoowineabout.wordpress.com/
Cover Image: Photo by Prime Cinematics : https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-kneel-in-front-of-woman-2057692/
Main Image: Photo by SHVETS production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-getting-a-marriage-proposal-8933557/