Plan your wedding right by starting with big-picture concerns like venue, theme, and budget.

3 Things to Do After You Get Engaged

Once the post-engagement high starts to wear off, it’s time to start planning. You may have a theme, dress, or venue in mind, but your dream plans may change once you begin the wedding preparation process. Here are a few things to put at the top of your wedding to-do List.

Decide on a Vibe

Choosing a dress and a menu may be fun, but they can’t be your first post-engagement choices. You have to begin by making a few big-picture decisions. First, decide what kind of venue you want for your wedding. Are you envisioning a sunny beach ceremony or a winter wedding at a local estate? Do you want a small party, or do you want to celebrate your big day with a massive blowout? Choose the perfect wedding theme and venue type before you let yourself choose a dress or decide on a wedding DJ.

Decide on a Budget

Once you have a general idea of what kind of wedding you want to throw, you have to decide on a wedding budget. If your family is going to contribute financially to the wedding, ask them how much they’re planning to give. It’s not the most exciting post-engagement conversation, but it is a necessary one. Once you know how much money you can spend on your wedding, you can start to allocate your funds. Talk to your partner about what to splurge on and what to save on. Together, you might decide that good music is more important than a fancy venue. Maybe you’ll choose the perfect cake over the perfect wedding tent. Wedding planning compromises are a necessary part of the process.

Start Shopping for a Dress

After you’ve set your budget, it’s time to start having some fun. Dress shopping is one of the most magical parts of the wedding planning process. Now that you know what kind of wedding you’re going to have and how much you can spend on your dream gown, start scoping out the local bridal boutique. You may want to start your dress search online so you have an idea of what fabrics and styles you favor. Then make an appointment at your local boutique, bring a few style-savvy friends, and get ready to try on some dresses! Remember to choose a wedding dress for your theme and venue.