Congratulations! You just got engaged! Now what? The first step to planning your wedding day is to properly plan your engagement, which includes everything from making the big announcement to the big day. Before you blast the news on social media, there is a little bit of planning to do. These tips will help you plan the perfect engagement.
Announcing the News
If you are following traditions, he probably already asked your father and told his. Most of us are doing things differently. Your parents might be out of the loop. Worse than that, his parents might not even know about you. Even if the parents were involved in the plan, it is important to take time to enjoy the moment and share the exciting news with close family and friends before taking to social media. Parents and grandparents should be informed first. Tell your siblings next, followed by family and close friends. Telling a few important people first makes them feel important. Before you tell the first person, you might want to take some time alone with your fiancé to enjoy the moment.
Engagement Photo Shoot
You might snap a few intimate and emotional pictures during or shortly after the proposal. There is no doubt these selfies will be perfect, but a professional engagement photo shoot is important for so many reasons. Most photographers will include a free engagement shoot in the wedding package. Wedding planning costs money; therefore, you should take advantage of any available savings. It also gives you an opportunity to capture professional images for your save the dates and formal engagement announcements. It provides a practice run to see how you mesh with the photographer and get an idea about his shooting style and editing style. Since photography is digital these days, you will have professional images to share on social media. Engagement photo shoots are a fun bonding experience that can be planned with your partner.
The Backdrop of Your Engagement Photography
Your engagement photos will be formal images; therefore, you should think about the backdrop. The location could be a dreamy and romantic hillside or have a modern industrial flair. Beaches, water and crashing waves are popular, and will never go out of style. You might want to shoot some activity together, such as biking, hiking or boating.
Coordinating Your Look
You should coordinate your style for your images. Think about your attire and color scheme to avoid clashing. Engagement photos are made formal by the planning that is obvious in the intentional shot, coordinated attire, color scheme, backdrop and foreground. Just as this is an opportunity to test your photographer, this is a chance to test run your hair and makeup stylist.
Formal Engagement Announcements
A formal engagement announcement is still a thing. This is the opportunity to share your formal engagement images and announce the big news to all of your family and friends. You should only announce your engagement to those you plan on inviting to your wedding. You might have a smaller circle for an engagement party, which usually includes the close family on both sides. The engagement party should take place within a few weeks after getting engaged. Formal announcements to the engagement dinner are appropriate. After you set a date, you can send out save the dates so your guests mark their calendar.
Size the Ring
Most engagements are a surprise, and the size of the ring is often a guess. If the ring is not a perfect fit, now is the time to visit a jeweler. The jeweler that sold the ring will usually size it free of charge. Do not take a chance of losing a ring that does not fit properly. It is also a good time to consider insuring the ring.
The Engagement Party
Traditionally, the bride’s parents host the engagement party within two months after the engagement, which usually includes cocktails and dinner in their home. However, more and more couples are throwing their own engagement party. This celebration is intended to bring family and close friends together to announce and celebrate the engagement. It can be an informal backyard garden affair or take place in a restaurant. An important part of the celebration is the toast. The father of the bride makes a very special toast to the engaged couple. The mother of the bride usually follows with a toast. It is proper for the bride and groom to make a small toast to the hosts and guests. If your parents or someone else is hosting the party, you should send a small gift after the party as thanks. Thank you notes should be sent to your guests, and a special thank you note should be given to anyone that brought a gift. Some couples have more than one engagement party. When parents are divorced, couples might attend separate parties. Couples might also choose to celebrate with friends and coworkers separately.
Pick Your Wedding Party and Count Guests
As soon as you announce your engagement, it is time to begin the process of putting together the team that will stand with you on your special day and during all the important moments leading up to the big event. Be prepared for disappointed friends. This might not be so obvious, but it will never be avoided. If you formed your team without some special people, make sure you express how valuable your relationship is with them, and how you wish you could have all your special people by your side. Explain that you had to limit your decision to a few, and explain that you reserved special functions in the wedding for them. This is also the time to create a guest count for your wedding day. You will need to know how many people will be attending to plan all the details.
Plan an Engagement Timeline
One of the most essential elements of wedding planning is the engagement timeline. Most couples start planning about one year prior to their wedding date. Save your magical date and plan a timeline of special events that will occur between now and then, such as choosing a venue, shopping for the dress, choosing your vendors, the bridal shower and the rehearsal dinner.
Book Your Wedding Venue
Book your wedding venue early. Immediately following the engagement, you should begin touring wedding venues. Choose a venue in a meaningful location that has all the elegance to create your dream. It must also have the availability to accommodate your magical date. Waiting to book a venue can result in your date not being available.
Crystal Ballroom at Veranda
Engagements are to be enjoyed. They are usually packed full of a year of planning for the big moment, which can be stressful when planned on your own. Enjoy your engagement and the entire experience by allowing Crystal Ballroom at Veranda to bring your dream wedding to life. Share your vision and let the designers stage your magical moments from ceremony to reception. The all-inclusive wedding venue includes all of the furnishings, designs and banquet services to create your dream day. Plan with Crystal Ballroom and build your wedding team with the extraordinary talent of Crystal Ballroom vendors. Celebrate your moments the way you want them remembered, and host your fairy tale at Crystal Ballroom at Veranda.
