I just got engaged now what? First off, congratulations!
Whether your partner popped the question during a candlelit dinner at home, on a mountaintop above the clouds, or at a sandy beach at sunset, this moment marks the beginning of your new and forever life together.
You probably have a thousand questions about your next steps to walking down the aisle. Should we start planning our wedding immediately? Who should we tell first? Where should we get married? Should we elope or plan a big wedding?
Slow down, first things first, you love birds! Take a deep breath, relax, and take in this cherished moment. When you’re ready, take a look at this helpful guide designed to walk you through celebrating this special time and setting the stage for your dream wedding.
And just know, when it’s time to start planning, we are here to help! Our award-winning Certified Destination Wedding Planners have helped hundreds of couples plan their dream wedding, and are here to help you, too, especially to a sun-drenched tropical destination.
Enjoy the Moment
I’m engaged now what? Enjoy the moment!
Before you think about guest lists, venues, or your wedding party, sit back and enjoy this extra special time together. Go out for dinner, take quiet walks, or spend a lazy weekend taking it all in. Your first few days of your engagement are about connection, joy, and excitement. Getting engaged is one of life’s most meaningful milestones, and a time to treasure together.
Share the News with Your Nearest and Dearest
Once you’ve enjoyed a little private time, share the happy news. Start with the people who mean the most to you, including your parents, grandparents, family members, siblings, and closest friends. They’ll appreciate hearing it directly from you instead of reading about it on social media and through the grapevine.
An old-fashioned phone call, video call, or a personal visit will make the moment even more special. You could surprise family members during dinner or tell your best friend in person over coffee. The way you choose to share it and the initial surprised reactions from your loved ones will become part of your engagement story.
After you’ve told your closest family and friends, make it public for all the world to know. You decide when and if you share this exciting news on social media. If you do, post your favorite photo on social media, show off that beautiful ring, and let the congratulations roll in. Sending email announcements, group text messages, and scheduling virtual calls are also ways to spread the great news for those who live out of town. Sharing your joy with others will make it feel more real, romantic, and extra special.
Get Your Ring Fitted and Insured
This moment is about you and your new bling! Your engagement ring is more than a piece of jewelry. It is an intimate symbol of commitment and love. That’s why it’s important to make sure it fits comfortably. If it feels loose or too tight, visit your jeweler as soon as possible to have it resized.
You also need to make a point to add your engagement ring to your insurance policy. It’s a simple, inexpensive task, but very important to protect against loss, theft, or damage. Many homeowners or renters insurance policies can add it as a rider, or you can take out a separate policy. Either way, knowing your special ring, a symbol of your love, is insured will give you both peace of mind.
Get Your Nails Photo Ready and Capture the Moment
Your left hand will suddenly become the star of the show, so this is a great time to treat yourself to a manicure. Choose a nail polish color that makes you feel classic, timeless, elegant, and complements your shiny new ring.
Capture this moment in time and book a professional engagement photo session, or simply take your own photos together. Make sure you take one with a close-up of your hand! You’ll treasure these images forever, and your future family will, too. Consider taking pictures that reflect your personality as a couple, laughing together in your favorite spot, walking through a park, or holding hands at sunset.
Keep in mind that you can use these photos for announcements, save-the-dates, or simply as a keepsake of this special time in your life.
RELATED: Just Engaged? A Guide to Wedding Planning Timelines
Consider Kicking Off Your Engagement with a Bang
Now, it’s time to celebrate! Your engagement is a reason to do something extra special, like hosting a small dinner or cocktail party, or to plan a romantic weekend getaway to mark the occasion.
Some newly engaged couples are taking an “engagement moon,” a post-engagement, pre-wedding mini vacation similar to a honeymoon. Talk about romantic and memorable! Why not plan a tropical escape to celebrate your engagement with a bang! Imagine spending your first days as an engaged couple relaxing on a warm beach, enjoying candlelit dinners by the ocean, and watching the sunset over crystal-blue water. These destinations also offer exciting adventures for thrill seekers and water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. This is your time together to do what you love to do together!
A few days away from everyday distractions can give you both time to dream about your future and begin planning what’s ahead. A romantic tropical escape is the perfect opportunity to take professional engagement photos. We can’t think of a more breathtaking setting than a sun-filled backdrop, soft powdery sand, swaying palm trees, and ocean breezes capturing your love for one another. It’s also a great excuse to start checking out destination wedding resorts and venues for your future big day!
Discuss the Desired Length of Your Engagement
Moving on with the theme, “I just got engaged what do I do now,” have a conversation with your fiancée and decide how long your engagement will last. While you don’t have to set a wedding date right away, this is a good time to have a conversation about your timeline, wedding budget, and location.
Talk about how long you want to stay engaged and what time of year you want to get married. Having even a general idea, such as next summer or in about two years, can help you get the ball rolling. It also makes it easier to start researching venues and wedding destinations. If a destination wedding is on your location list, there are many options. Some tropical destinations are ideal during certain seasons, while others are better to avoid during times of heavy rain or heat. Setting your wedding timeline early will make planning much smoother and stress-free later.
Gather Inspiration, But Don’t Start Planning Just Yet
Once the excitement settles, get inspired to start designing your big day. This is the fun part because you can explore, dream, and gather ideas.
Pinterest and wedding-related content are a great place to start your planning adventure. Browse through social media, wedding blogs, and magazines to see what styles, color combinations, and settings catch your eye. Visit wedding boutiques and retail shops for inspiration.
You might find yourself drawn to airy, beachfront ceremonies, tropical floral arrangements, or elegant outdoor receptions. You might enjoy a more intimate, secluded location to elope and have a party later. Select what feels authentic and personal to you and your partner instead of following the latest trends.
Save images, colors, and ideas that inspire, excite, and bring a smile to your face. Create a journal, online file, or notebook and document your thoughts, ideas, and dreams. Keep the mood lighthearted and creative as you plan. This is the fun part that will make planning your big day more enjoyable later.
It’s important to remember, this is a time for dreaming and exploring ideas, not final decision-making. You’ll probably notice common themes in your vision and journal collections. These will help you when it is time to finalize all the details.
Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists Are Here to Help
When you’re ready to move from dreaming to planning, you don’t have to do it alone. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists are here to guide you every step of the way.
Planning a wedding, especially in a destination setting, can feel overwhelming at first. Between choosing the perfect resort, managing travel arrangements, and coordinating with local vendors, there are many moving parts. That’s where we come in. Our passionate specialists have years of experience planning destination weddings across the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. We’ve helped couples bring their vision to life with personalized ideas, insider expertise, and stress-free coordination. Whether you imagine an intimate beach ceremony for two or a grand celebration with family and friends, we can help you make it happen.
We have an easy, breezy online wedding planning form that schedules a free consultation with one of our friendly Certified Wedding Specialists. These sessions are designed to chat about your wedding dreams, style, budget, location, and more. We’ll walk you through:
- A variety of gorgeous tropical destinations
- Exclusive resort all inclusive wedding packages
- Travel and accommodation perks for you and your guests
- Legal and symbolic ceremony options
- Pre-wedding travel arrangements and honeymoon planning
- And so much more
We are here every step of the way. Our goal is to make planning enjoyable, stress-free, and tailored especially for you. But for now, take your time, celebrate your engagement, and enjoy this new chapter of your love story. When you’re ready, we’re here to turn your wedding dreams into a breathtaking and romantic reality.
Congratulations on your engagement! We are here when you are ready to start exploring your dream destination wedding. Simply complete our online wedding planning form to schedule your free consultation with one of our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists today.
