The first month after getting engaged is a rush. From the moment you say “yes,” your life will become a blur. You’ll be bombarded with attention from loved ones and overwhelmed with emotions you didn’t know you had. More likely than not, you’ll also wish at some point that things could just slow down.
You’ll never forget the excitement of that month. From creating your first wedding planning checklist to making those heartfelt phone calls – these are all moments you’ll cherish forever. It can definitely feel hectic when it’s all happening, though. Here are 4 things to consider during the first month of your engagement to help you remain calm, cool, and collected.
1. You Don’t Need to Immediately Tell Everyone
First on the list of almost every newly engaged couple is to spread the word. You may want to hop in the car to tell friends and family in person, or pick up the phone and make a hundred phone calls (Skype is a worthy alternative, as many people will want to see that beautiful ring). However, you don’t need to rush things.
Try to hold off on that tasteful Facebook post until your closest family and friends have been notified personally. They’ll appreciate it.
Keep in mind that once the cat is out of the bag, there will be no slowing down for the foreseeable future. Don’t be afraid to sit on this bombshell for a little bit. Take some time to appreciate the moment as a couple. Do something romantic. Spend some private time alone. Once the ball gets rolling, privacy and downtime will be harder to come by until the honeymoon.
Use those first few days to cherish each other’s company. And if you absolutely can’t contain your excitement? If you simply have to shout the news of your new engagement from the rooftops this very moment? Well, that’s just fine too.
2. It’s Fine to Take Your Time Planning
You’ve just said yes. The first month is too early to be making commitments, signing orders, and filing receipts. This is the time to ask yourself: If you could do anything for your wedding, what would you do? Where would you be? How many people would be there? What does the dress look like?
The vision you develop in these early days of your engagement will give you an objective to strive for and help to clarify more specific choices you’ll need to make further down the road. Pick up some magazines, read some blogs, and burrow into Pinterest. Hit up your married friends and relatives for advice. Ask the broad questions –
- Do you want a big wedding or small elopement?
- Are you feeling the traditional and intimate church ceremony, or might an exotic destination event be more your style?
- Are there any original quirks, twists, surprises, or even luxuries you’d love that would make your special day unique and memorable?
- Do you want a honeymoon in the Tuscan countryside or the beaches of Rio? Where in the world is perfect for you and your fiancé?
Save the gritty details for later – now is the time to let your imagination run wild. Make sure that you know what you want when the time eventually comes to start turning dreams into reality and dreaming into action.
3. Creating a List is a Good Idea
Your checklist will get more detailed as the big day approaches, but jotting down notes early on (even if you’re still unsure about many things) is a useful exercise. Doing so will help you stay organized, so you can ideally plan that wedding you’ve always dreamed of. At this point, you don’t need to list everything – just focus on the major areas.
- Wedding Planner: You should talk about whether or not a planner is a worthwhile investment for the type of reception and ceremony you’re considering. If it’s one you’d like to make, then start looking early. A good wedding planner will have their own list templates on hand, and will help take care of many other things that may appear on your list, as well as some others you haven’t thought of yet.
- Set a Budget: You don’t need to set an exact budget just yet, but “set a budget” should be on your checklist. Learning how to save money on certain wedding items early will help you in case last minute expenses pop up.
- Guest List: The same goes for the guest list. Setting a precise date isn’t necessary at this early stage, but establishing a rough timeframe like “Autumn, 2018,” or “Early 2019” will give you something to shoot for and something to tell curious friends and family (This is a question you’ll be asked early and often).
- Ring Insurance: Everything else in your wedding will soon come to pass. The ring is forever. Consider getting your ring insured.
- The Most Important Reservations and Purchases: Remind yourself to start shopping around for dresses, venues, officiants, photographers, registries, suppliers, and caterers. Sometimes the most obvious things are the easiest to overlook.
Figure out what you need to designate and accomplish first in order for everything else to fall into place. Taking care of the big things first will make the small things easier.
4. You Shouldn’t Forget Your Other Half
It will be easy to get caught up in the rush of possibilities that have opened up for you, but be sure to remember who it’s all for. You are marrying the love of your life. The memories you make of this time in your life should be shared ones. Do your best to experience this process together.
Be sure to put the catalogs down, close the Pinterest boards frequently, and focus on each other. Nurture your hobbies or find some new ones. Designate a weekly movie night. Talk to each other about something other than the wedding. Set the tone for a loving and productive married life.
Conclusion
The first month of your engagement is the start of an incredible adventure. Take it in. Appreciate it. Your destination may be your dream wedding, but however excited you might be to experience that special day, don’t forget to enjoy the journey.
How was the first month of your engagement? Do you have any insight for our readers? We’d love to hear about your experiences! And if you’re looking for more fun wedding content, our Facebook and Pinterest pages are updated daily with loads of fun photos, stories and more. Stop by if you’d like!
