Things to Do After You are Engaged

You finally have the ring and assurance of the commitment that you always yearned for, what next? If you haven't been thinking of your wedding since you were five, this is the perfect time to do so. Gear up, with loads of bridal magazines and immerse yourself into the world of wedding planning! This is going to be a lot of fun, overlook the small blunders and enjoy these blissful moments.

It's time to celebrate, you've finally declared your commitment for each other. You're in a position, where many couples dream of being. Spend time with your partner, do not let the stress of planning the wedding, overshadow your happiness.

Before you begin with the wedding planning, do something special for your fiancé/fiancée. Show your love, make your partner feel special and enjoy to the fullest.

It's time to tell people that your engaged, it would be nice to tell your parents first. Make sure you call all your close friends and relatives. Nothing's worse than sending a mass text or even worse simply updating your status on Facebook to announce your engagement.

It might be more convenient, but it's way too casual to announce something so important. So, remove some time and call everyone to share your happiness.

You got the ring of your dreams and you can't wait to flaunt it, but only it doesn't fit. First thing, get it sized, you do not want to lose that special ring. Also while you're at it, you might want to consider getting it insured. Check with your broker what policies are available and complete the necessary paperwork at the earliest.

It's not a very good idea to show off that ring with chipped nails and dry hands. Get a manicure to get the perfect nails to complement your ring. Your hands will be getting a lot of attention in the next few days and unkempt hands are not acceptable. If you're not fond of bright colors, a simple French manicure will give you an elegant look without taking away the attention from the ring.

As soon as you tell people that you are engaged, they will ask you when you are getting married. Sit with your partner and decide when you would like to get married. Keep in mind how much time you will need to plan the wedding. If you cannot decide a date, then just decide a rough date to tell people.

It's your special day and you want the best of everything, but can you afford it? Decide a budget and stick to it, speak to parents and family if you need help. There are chances that you will get carried away, but it will lead to a lot of stress later.

If there is considerable time between the engagement and the wedding, you can save money. Shop around and get the best deals and remember that even a small and simple wedding can be beautiful.

Would you like to have a wedding planner or manage it on your own? Having a wedding planner will simplify the process of planning your wedding. However, it will cost additional money. If your budget allows for one, then go for it or else take help of family and friends to plan your wedding.

Buy some wedding magazines to get creative ideas for your wedding. You can decide on a theme for the entire wedding and organize everything accordingly. It will also give you ideas to decorate the venue, some interesting wedding cake varieties and so on.

Especially if you do not have a wedding planner, magazines could come very handy. You can also get loads of ideas from the Internet. So, forget the conventional, try out some unusual and interesting ideas to make your big day special.

Now that you have the budget sorted, prepare the guest list. Do you want to have a small wedding with few close friends and relatives or a grand wedding? Decide with your partner and accordingly make the list. Check with your parents who all they want to invite to the wedding.

Be careful not to miss out on important people and remember to stick to the budget at all times.

With the budget planned, the theme decided and the guest list prepared, you can now start with the other details.

Below is a wedding preparation checklist:

1. Finalize the venue.
2. Hire a caterer and decide the menu.
3. Make orders for your wedding cake.
4. Give the photographer instructions.
5. Call the florist.
6. Decide the music.
7. Make transportation facilities for guests.
8. And finally decide the honeymoon destination!

It is quite likely that you have already decided who you want as your maid of honor or best man. If you have not, then this is the perfect time to decide. Decide this one, as close to your wedding as possible, to avoid alienating friends.

If you have a lot of close friends, they might take offense in case you do not pick them. Let them know that their attending the wedding will mean as much to you.

With all the other things taken care of, it's time to go shopping for the perfect wedding attire. This is also the perfect time for you to spend time with your friends and relax. Decide on a style according to your body type and the season in which your getting married.

You might have always dreamed of an antique brocade gown, but if you're getting married in the summers, you might want to choose a lighter fabric like chiffon or linen.

There may be times when the stress gets too much for you. When this happens, go get a manicure or even better, spend an entire day at a spa. It is your special day and you do not want the stress to show on your face. Take help from friends and family, do not try to do everything on your own. Pamper yourself with luxurious treatments at the salon.

Amidst all the planning and organizing, do not neglect your relationship with your fiancé/fiancée. Try to take a day off and do not discuss anything about the wedding. Go for romantic dates, schedule a spa session together, go for movies and dinners, show your partner that you care and that you're looking forward to getting married.

Those were some things that need to be done after you are engaged; it can all be too overwhelming at times. Spend time with family and friends and organize parties to celebrate. It's the start of something beautiful, so do not forget to enjoy being engaged!