Your Engagement Checklist: What to do Before you Start Planning
Congratulations! You found the right person and now you can begin planning one of the most special days of your lives! Before you get overwhelmed with wedding planning, start your engagement off on the right foot with our engagement checklist:
Get your ring sized. Be sure your ring doesn’t slip off accidentally and get your ring sized. You should be able to take it to the retailer where your ring was purchased to get complimentary ring sizing. Did you receive a family heirloom? Our friends at Castle Pines Jewelers are a fantastic option for ring sizing and working with you to get your jewelry in pristine condition.
Insure your ring. Now that you’ve got the perfect fit, talk to your home or rental insurance company to get your engagement ring added to your policy. It is typically an inexpensive add-on, but well worth it in case something were to ever happen to your ring.
Schedule your engagement shoot. Our couples have used their engagement photos for save-the-dates, invitations, wedding websites, holiday cards, home decor, and more. Start off with researching photographers with a style you love! Your engagement shoot is also a great way to test out a photographer you might want to hire for your wedding day.
Create a budget. Setting a budget at the beginning of wedding planning will help determine what you can realistically afford. Talk with your fiancé and determine a budget you are comfortable spending for your wedding. If your families are planning to contribute financially, be sure to include that in your budget as well!
Agree on the essentials. Now that you have an idea of what you’ll be spending, decide together what are the most important aspects of your wedding. Your dream bouquet and a specific venue could be at the top of your list, whereas another couple might prioritize the cake and a live band. Agreeing on your priorities before you start planning helps avoid future conflict and prioritizes your time and money on what matters most to you both.
Take a step back and enjoy. The months leading up to your big day will be filled with lots of exciting, and sometimes stressful, moments. Don’t forget to take time to step back from planning and simply enjoy one another.
You did it! We’re so excited for you and your fiancé and we hope you have a wonderful engagement and a beautiful wedding day. Ready to get started planning? Check out our planning packages to learn more information.
