So, you just got engaged over the holidays. YAY! CONGRATS! I’m so excited for you! After all the excitement and celebration, you may be thinking, “Now what?” And that’s exactly what I’m here to help you with! As an experienced Philadelphia wedding photographer, I’ve put together a list of 10 things to do after getting engaged. Let’s get into it!

10 Things to Do After Getting Engaged

• Enjoy the moment.
• Set your date. 
• Set your budget & guest list.
• Create an inspiration board on Pinterest.
• Find your venue.
• Book your wedding photographer.
• Find and book your vendors.
• Consider hiring a wedding planner.
• Capture your engagement photos.
• Relax & do some self-care.

Enjoy the Moment

This is a magical time, and I want you to cherish every moment! It is not just about planning your wedding, but celebrating your engagement too! Remember, there’s no rush to start planning immediately. Enjoy being engaged!

Set the Date

Once you’re ready to dive into planning, think about when you’d like to have your wedding. Consider your preferred seasons & significant dates. Your wedding date will guide many of your upcoming decisions, so choose a date that feels right for both of you.

P.S. At this point, you may want to check the date with people who mean a lot to you. If you REALLY want them there, you want to know if they can make it or not and plan accordingly.

Set Your Budget & Create a Guest List

Budgeting may not be the most exciting part of wedding planning, but it’s one of the most important parts. Sit down with your partner and discuss a realistic budget. Alongside this, start drafting your guest list. Both aspects will greatly influence your planning choices, from the venue to the menu.

Create an Inspiration Board on Pinterest

You may have already been working on your dream wedding Pinterest board even before getting engaged and having that ring on your finger! Pinterest is a great tool for inspiration on color schemes, floral arrangements, dresses, details, and pretty much EVERYTHING! 

Having a vision for your wedding day is helpful, so you can also share it with all the vendors you hire to make your wedding dreams come to life.

You can check out my Pinterest for your Philadelphia wedding and engagement session inspo here!

Find Your Venue

Your venue sets the tone for your big day. Consider the type of atmosphere you want – rustic, modern, traditional – and start researching venues. Think about location, capacity, and what’s included in the venue package. Remember, popular venues book fast, especially for peak dates!

Knowing your date and venue will make it easier to book your vendors since a lot of us need to have those details to book you in our calendars. Also, some venues come with their own recommendations or preferred vendors, so that’s always good to know before you spend time researching that! 

If the venues are offering a preferred vendor list, please be sure to check out their work before making your final decision. If you don’t feel like they are a good match, you will be able to choose and bring in your own vendors 99% of the time!

Looking for wedding venues in Philadelphia? I have some suggestions for you here!

Book Your Wedding Photographer

I may be biased for this one, but you really should book your dream wedding photographer as soon as possible after you get engaged. The photos will help you relive your beautiful day for years to come, so it’s sooooo important to book a photographer you LOVE and have a connection with!

Photographers tend to book out six months to a year (and sometimes more!) in advance, especially for summer and fall weddings. So, if you want to make sure your dream photographer is available, don’t waste time. Reach out ASAP!

If I’m your dream wedding photographer, I’d LOVE to hear from you! Reach out to me here!

Consider Hiring a Wedding Planner

Wedding planning can be very stressful and overwhelming, so you may want to consider hiring a wedding planner to help you. There is a variety of planning services out there, and you can be as involved as you’d like to be. 

A good wedding planner will bring tons of expertise, experience, and organizational skills to the table, making the planning process and your wedding day go much easier for you.

Find and Book Your Vendors

From caterers to florists, your vendors will bring your wedding vision to life. Look for vendors who understand your style and can work within your budget. Don’t be afraid to ask for tastings, samples, and detailed contracts to ensure everything aligns with your expectations and you fully trust them.

If you choose to hire a wedding planner, they can totally help you find your vendors and keep track of it all for you.

Capture Your Engagement Photos

Most wedding photographers will offer an add-on or complimentary engagement session with your wedding package, and I recommend you use it!

THE main reason you need to have an engagement session is to celebrate your love, relationship, and future. I know it sounds cheesy, but I’m a hopeless romantic. This is a special time for the two of you, and it should be captured and cherished.

A more practical reason is that you will have photos to use for your invitations, save-the-date cards, wedding decor, wedding website, and socials.

Your engagement photoshoot also lets you and your photographer get to know each other. It’s important to trust your photographer and feel comfortable with them, and an engagement session is a way to make it happen. You’ll also get more comfortable in front of the camera, making the wedding day much less stressful!

And if you need help preparing for your engagement session, I’ve got just the thing for you! Check out the blog here!

Relax & Do Some Self-Care

Wedding planning can be SO stressful, especially if you do most of it alone. So make sure you find time for each other, enjoy the process as much as possible, and do something fun & relaxing together.

Kayla Neveil Photo | PA Wedding Photographer

I hope that these steps help you navigate the post-engagement process. Remember, it’s all about celebrating your love and starting this new chapter together! And again – try to enjoy the process as much as you can! You’re marrying the love of your life, and that’s SO special!

If you’re ready to book your dream engagement & wedding photos, click here to inquire about my services. I can’t wait to hear your story and share your love!

And if you’re looking for more helpful resources and wedding & engagement session inspiration, visit my blog!