You’re Engaged – Congratulations! So What’s Next?

The love of your life proposed. You said “YES!” Congratulations on your engagement. It’s such an exciting time, but before you get carried away with wedding planning, (and start spending every spare moment pouring over wedding blogs and feeding your Pinterest addiction) here are three great tips to ensure your engagement gets off to the best possible beginning.

Start off on the Same Wavelength

This is the time to sit down with your partner and have a serious discussion about what you both want from your wedding day. You’ll want to talk about when you want to get married, themes and locations, numbers of guests and, of course, how much you are willing to spend. Money may not be the most romantic subject, but it’s important that you both have realistic expectations and ideas of what you can and cannot afford. Do talk to your families as well – they may have very different ideas and it’s much better to talk things through now rather than cause problems later.

Throw an Engagement Party

Okay, that’s the serious bit out the way – now it’s time to celebrate. So, why not throw an engagement party, particularly if the wedding is likely to be a year or more away? An engagement party can be as grand or informal as you wish. Traditionally, this was hosted by the bride-to-be’s parents, but these days anything goes. Many couples organise the event themselves, and it’s good practice for planning your wedding on a much smaller scale. First off, choose your party style – is it going to be formal or informal, a massive knees-up or an intimate soiree? Will you want to reflect your wedding style (if you’ve chosen one) or your personal interests? Once you’ve decided on your type of party, put together a guest list and sort out the date and venue. Holding the party at either your own or your parents’ house will save you money to put towards your wedding day. But if this isn’t practical then look for hotels, restaurants, and other venues where you can host – sports and social clubs often have function rooms which can be hired very reasonably. With the practicalities sorted, it’s time to send out your invitations. Our personalised engagement party invitations come in a wide range of styles – from bling to rustic - so you are bound to find one you love. Featured Designs: 'Heart Glitter Pattern' and 'Vintage Country Charm' These days, gifts are not expected at engagement parties, but you may well find that many people do bring along something. Have a space where people can leave gifts discretely so that those who haven’t don’t feel awkward. Leave opening them until after the event and make sure you send a thank you card. Our ready to write cards are ideal! Featured Designs: 'Hand In Marriage', 'Champagne Hearts', and 'Gold Glitter Pattern - Table Confetti'

Book an Engagement Photoshoot

Apart from having some wonderful, relaxed photographs of yourselves, an engagement photoshoot helps you get to know your photographer – and lets them to get to know you. So your wedding photos will be even better! It’s a great way to get used to being photographed before the big day and you’ll have some wonderful memories.