You Said Yes! (now what?)

You’ve been dreaming of this moment for what feels like forever. Then, it happens! The person of your dreams gets down on one knee and pops the question. Your heart is racing, and suddenly there’s a gorgeous ring being held out to you. Wait—did they just ask the question? OMG, YES! Of course, you say yes! Cue the hugs, kisses, and maybe a few tears. 💖

Before you know it, that shiny new ring is on your finger, and you’re ready to tell the world! But hold on—who do you tell first? Should you call your parents or post it on Instagram with the perfect hashtag? It’s been five minutes, and you already have so many questions. Breathe. Take it all in. This is your moment, and it’s one you’ll never forget.

Cherish the Moment

Hopefully, someone nearby captured the proposal on camera, or maybe a kind stranger offered to snap a photo of the two of you. You’re glowing, grinning ear to ear, and floating on cloud nine.

Then, you make that first phone call (probably to your parents), and then the texts to your friends, and here it comes—the whirlwind of questions:

• “When’s the wedding?”
• “Where are you getting married—church, outdoors, backyard?”
• “Summer or fall?”
• “How many guests?”
• “Who’s in the wedding party?”

Woah. You’ve only been engaged for an hour, and already it feels like you’re in the middle of a wedding Q&A session. Don’t worry—it’s all part of the excitement. Friends and family mean well, and their advice can be helpful. But let’s be real, it can also be overwhelming.

What to Do First?

Take a deep breath. You don’t have to figure it all out today. Here’s a simple game plan to get started:

1. Set Your Spending Plan

Before diving into venues or guest lists, sit down together and figure out your budget. Talk with your families to see who’s comfortable contributing and how much. Traditionally, the bride’s family covers the wedding and reception, while the groom’s family handles the rehearsal dinner and bar—but that’s not a hard rule anymore. Many couples chip in themselves, with families helping where they can.

2. Create an Approximate Guest List

You don’t need exact numbers or addresses yet. Just get a rough idea from both sides about who’s in. Don’t forget to factor in friends, the bridal party, coworkers, plus-ones, and kids. This will help you decide on the size of your venue and event. But fair warning, the guest list is the biggest culprit to busting the budget. Unfortunately, when it comes down to it every guest has a $ attached to their name.

For now, take it one step at a time and enjoy being engaged! Celebrate this special chapter before diving too deep into the planning.

Stay tuned for my next post, "Setting the Date." Until then, happy planning! 🎉