Whoot! Whoot! You’re engaged NJ! Congratulations!

This is such an exciting time in your life! You are in love and that’s nothing small, in fact it’s HUGE! Maybe you’ve been dreaming of your wedding day for your entire life, or maybe you’re like me: I never really believed I would find the right man. Until I did! There are some things you should plan to do now that you’re newly engaged NJ. (If you would like the BWE FREE check list for newly engaged couples, get it here!)

You do not have to start planning your wedding immediately. In fact, I often recommend to people that they do not immediately begin planning their wedding. Sounds crazy, right!? Especially since I plan weddings! But really. It’s so important to take some time to enjoy your engagement! And think about what’s important to you and your fiance in terms of the type of wedding you would like after getting engaged in NJ.

So What do I do First?

Seems like there should be a simple answer to that one, ya’ know? And there are a few things you should do as soon as you’ve settled back to Earth. And there are a few things you should begin thinking about and then discus with your lovely once you’re engaged in NJ. So, let’s divide them into two categories. The To-Do’s and the To-Talk-Abouts…

The To-Do’s

1. Spread the good news! Call your loved ones. Take a moment before you post the good news to social media. Think about how some of your loved ones might feel if they heard on social media, or worse; how would your mom feel if Aunt Verna read your news on Facebook and called your mom to tell her before your mom knew the news!
2. Get that gorgeous piece of bling insured. Seriously, so many people forget to do this. You should add your engagement ring to your home-owners or Renter’s insurance. It’s pretty simple. You’ll need your insurance company phone number (so you can call them) and you will need an appraisal for your ring (you can get this from your fiance or jeweler). Questions to ask while on the phone with the insurance agent:
   • Is the ring covered if you lose it, or only if it’s stolen?
   • How will the company replace the ring? This is important because sometimes they will send you a check. But other insurance policies will require that you purchase the replacement from a specific company.
   • What if it is a vintage ring or other unique piece?
   • Is the ring insured to full value or only partially?
   • How will you need to prove the ring vanished if you make a claim?
   • Are there any circumstances that aren’t covered?
3. Spend some time alone with your finance. Maybe a weekend away. Maybe a nice long hike. One of the best things Richie and I did after getting engaged NJ was schedule some alone time. We spent a day hiking in our favorite spot. And it was just nice to spend some alone time. (No kids. We did take the dog.) It was nice. In fact, it gets me thinking, we should do this again. Soon.

The To-Talk-Abouts

Now that you’re engaged NJ, and before you get started planning, you and your betrothed should have a frank conversation about your wedding and what it will look like and what it will cost. This is awkward. But it’s sooooo important that you are both on the same page. Here are a few topics that you should cover.

1. How many people are going to be on your guest list? Remember to include yourselves and your wedding party. You don’t have to have a specific number. A range is good at this point. You want to consider the size of your families, and your number of friends. Are you going to invite all your co-workers or just close friends. No matter what you choose, this number will dictate a lot of your decisions.
2. What portion of my budget do I want to put towards my venue? A ball-park figure is ok for this stage of planning, but you might want to identify a maximum, and work within a range.
3. How much is my total wedding budget? (You don’t have to nail this down to the penny yet. You may choose a venue that changes how you budget for other aspects of your wedding.) Consider who is paying. Do you have family that are contributing? Knowing what you have to work with helps to drive your decision-making. So many couples skip this conversation, but’s an essential ingredient to happy planning.
4. What’s the general look and feel I want for my wedding? Many venues have a style… But you want to consider your style. How will you be happiest on your wedding day? If you envision a huge ball gown, you probably can cross that rustic barn off your list.
5. Is there a certain time of year do you want to get married? There are generally three parts to the wedding season. Spring, Summer, and Fall. You may want to avoid getting married  during the “off-season” (December through March) because of weather concerns. But this is also a great time to get a deal. Or, plan a destination wedding.

Once you’ve tackled this list, it’s time to start planning. And it should be fun.

If you’re not sure what to do, or who to book first, download my FREE checklist for newly engaged couples, get it here!)

Would you like more information about the wedding planning process? Sign up for the BWE mailing list and just wait, because your email box will get twice weekly emails full of wedding inspiration and planning tips. If you can’t wait, head over to the BWE blog archive for all kinds of tips now that you’re engaged NJ!

If you’d like to discus your wedding plans and needs with Bogath Weddings and Events, contact me here. I can’t wait to find out what you have in mind and help you get it done!