What Should I Be Doing? - Recently Engaged Edition!

Take a Moment to Celebrate

Before the planning begins, make space to soak in this incredible moment. Snap those engagement selfies, plan a celebratory dinner, schedule an engagement photoshoot, or throw an engagement party with family and friends. This chapter of your story is worth celebrating, and it’s one you’ll look back on with so much joy.

Here Come the Questions...

As soon as word gets out that you’re engaged, the questions will start rolling in: “When’s the wedding?” “Where is it?” “Who’s invited?” “What are your colors?” It’s all exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. Take a deep breath. These questions are a reflection of the love and excitement your family and friends have for you. Our advice? Give yourselves a few weeks to simply be engaged. Share your news, dream together, and start envisioning what’s most important to you both before diving into the planning details.

Wedding Planning Meets Real Life

Life doesn’t pause for wedding planning. Careers, moves, social commitments, and other weddings will continue—and planning your own wedding on top of it all can feel like... a lot. To keep it all manageable, many of our couples set aside one specific day of the week to focus on wedding planning. This simple habit can make a world of difference, helping you stay organized, reduce stress, and keep those to-dos in check. Pro tip: Use your "wedding planning day" to review tasks, set deadlines, and check in with your partner on progress.

Start with the Big Stuff

The venue is the first major decision to make, as it’s the foundation for nearly every other aspect of your wedding. But before you book tours, here’s what to do first:

1. Set Your Budget Start with a heart-to-heart with family members or stakeholders who may be contributing to the wedding. We know it’s not always an easy conversation, but it’s essential for setting financial expectations. Once you’ve     outlined contributions, create a budget plan. As The Knot wisely points out, “Setting a wedding budget is one of the first—and, frankly, most important—planning tasks to complete.” This will guide your decisions on vendors, venues, and more.
2. Define Your Priorities Ask each other what’s most important for your wedding day. Do you want a large party with all your friends and family, or a more intimate gathering? Are you dreaming of a beach, mountain, or garden setting? Do you need a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces? Is there a special date that’s meaningful to you, or are you flexible? Would you like     a ceremony and reception all in one place? Answering these questions will give you clarity and help you narrow down venue options and your overall wedding vision.
3. Build a Guest List Even a rough guest count can help you choose a venue that’s the right size for your celebration. Venues have capacity limits, so knowing your estimated headcount ensures you’re choosing a space that fits your vision.

Touring Venues: The Fun Part!

Once you’ve established your budget, guest list, and priorities, it’s time to start exploring venues. This is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning! When touring venues, keep in mind that "all-inclusive" venues with built-in services (like catering, rentals, and planning support) can often save you both time and money compared to a DIY-style "blank-slate" venue. While a bare-bones space may seem more cost effective at first, it’s often more costly (and stressful) to source all the extras on your own.

Pro tip: Don’t rule out Fridays and Sundays! These days are often more budget-friendly, and with the right planning, they can be just as magical as a Saturday wedding. We’ve even written a blog about it: What About a Friday or Sunday Wedding? Check it out for inspiration!

And remember, your venue is the backdrop for your photos and memories—so choose a space that feels like "you." At our venue, our grounds are always manicured, we offer indoor and outdoor ceremony options, a reception space that is as functional as it is stunning, and a dedicated team to support you every step of the way.

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‍After Booking Your Venue

Once your venue is booked (yay!),it’s time to exhale and enjoy being engaged. If your wedding is 12+ months away, take this time to relax. Snap those engagement photos, explore color schemes, and dream up your wedding party lineup. If you’re closer to the 9–12month mark, it’s time to start reaching out to your "key" vendors, like your caterer, photographer, planner, band/DJ, videographer, and hair and makeup. These vendors book quickly, so you’ll want to secure them as soon as you can.

This is also a great time to lean on your wedding planner (like us!). Our team has worked with top vendors in the industry and can recommend trusted professionals to bring your vision to life. We’re here to guide you, offer advice, and keep everything on track—so you can focus on the fun parts of planning.

Take Care of Yourselves

Wedding planning is a big undertaking, and it’s easy to feel the pressure of "getting everything right." But here’s a gentle reminder: It’s okay to take breaks, ask for help, and give yourselves grace. Planning a wedding is as much about your love story as it is about the logistics. If you’re ever feeling stressed or stuck, remember that we’re here to support you. Our team of wedding professionals can answer questions, offer advice, and keep things moving forward.

Lean on Our Team

From the moment you book our venue, you’re not alone in this process. Our expert wedding planners are here to guide you every step of the way. From creating timelines to recommending top-tier vendors, our goal is to make your experience as joyful and stress-free as possible. Have questions? We’re just a call or email away. Our team is passionate about making your wedding vision a reality—because we believe every couple deserves a wedding that feels uniquely theirs.

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Final Thoughts

Once again, congratulations on your engagement! This is a beautiful season in your love story, and we’re so honored to be part of it. Take your time, ask for help when you need it, and remember to enjoy the journey. From "Yes!" to "I do," we’re here to support you with expert guidance, heartfelt encouragement, and a little extra magic along the way.

If you’re ready to start the venue search, we’d love to show you around our space and introduce you to our planning team. We’re here to answer your questions, offer advice, and help you create a wedding experience that’s unforgettable. Your dream day starts here—and we’re so excited to be part of it!

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