Everyone gets engaged in December. It’s just like a thing that happens. I’m not sure if it’s the ultimatums given by the girlfriends (i.e. “better propose by the end of the year, buddy”) or the festiveness in the air that just makes guys want to drop on one knee. One of them must have happened to me, because I also got engaged this month (but three years ago- see here, if you’re nosey).
I remember the day like it was yesterday and really the the whole year as this fun, albeit occasionally stressful, time in my life. As someone that’s all about building foundations, making lists and planning, I truly believe that what you do in the next few months are super important. It’s also super exciting.
If you’re not interested in being sold to, skip #4, but like don’t, because I think it’ll be WAY worth your while.
- Celebrate it. Actually, take the time to celebrate and talk about being engaged and the proposal before you move into wedding planning.
- Talk with your fiancé about marriage and serious stuff. Make it a priority and set the premise with each other that the marriage is a bigger deal than the wedding. Decide how you’ll make sure not to lose that in the planning and how you’ll make sure to keep talking throughout the time your engaged. Wasting the whole year on bouquets and fabric swatches, does not a healthy marriage make. I wrote this article for the TheKnot.com about important questions to ask (with or without premarital counseling).
- Talk with your fiancé some more. Discuss what both of your initial ideas are for your wedding: from who’s doing what part(s) of the planning to what you envision being the best possible wedding. If your visions are different, spend the time deciding on a compromise. Don’t do any planning until you’re both on the same page.
- Buy the Ultimate Wedding Planning Binder. Sign up to the weekly newsletter.
- Sign up for the FREE emails that will come into your inbox every 30 days with printable to-do lists for what you need to do that month.
- Look into getting your engagement ring insured.
- Talk with whoever’s paying for the wedding (or discuss with your fiancé) about a ballpark budget. This should be set up before doing any searching for vendors or booking appointments with them. You don’t want to get your hopes up when they may not be realistic.
- Start using what you talked about with your fiancé to prioritize what you vendors you want to find first.
- (Optional) Get engagement photos taken.
- Start looking for inspiration and get ideas for the overall vibe and look of the wedding is that you want. IG and Pinterest are a great place to start.
- That’s it! Just enjoy it. Seriously. The wedding craziness will take over, so chill while you can.
P.S. These photographs are of my friends, Ana and John, who recently got engaged. I had the honor of taking them and watching them start this exciting journey. Congrats, you adorable couple you!
