After the Ring

So you have said yes, told the big news to all of your friends and family, and stared at your new ring for a week straight. What’s next? Check out our 7 tips to get you started on preparing for life after the ring:

1. Get started with pre-marital counseling. Many couples focus time and energy solely on planning for the wedding and fail to plan for the actual marriage. Take some time to pour into your future marriage and family.
2. Pick a date. You cannot book anything without a date! Consider the time of year, weather, venue, theme options, cost of plane tickets, etc.
3. Create a budget. Do a little research to see how much you want to spend per category and how much you can actually afford to spend.
4. Follow the magic number of three rule. Before booking or purchasing anything major, be sure to explore three different options to ensure you are making the most informed decision.
5. Book your major vendors: venue, photographer, videographer, etc. You do not want to miss out on your dream vendor because you waited too late!
6. Get your dress! Your dress determines the style of your wedding and you may want to get started early so that you can explore as many options as possible. Most wedding dresses take six months to get in and even longer for alterations once it arrives. Make sure you plan accordingly!
7. Spend time with your fiancé! Try not to get too busy with wedding planning that you forget about the person you are marrying. Invest time in your future spouse doing the things you did before the engagement. 

Engagements are such happy and exciting times, but they can also be stressful especially if you lose sight of what is really important. Enjoy this time, take breaks, and continue to date your future spouse so that you will always remember why you are getting married in the first place.