You’re probably here because you have a new rock on your left finger.

You’re most likely reading this blog post because you have a new addition to your left ring finger. And, to that I say – Congratulations! This is such an exciting time in your life, and I want to help you enjoy the season you’re in and enjoy the little things along the way. It’s actually the mission and why behind what I do as a certified wedding planner. If there’s one thing I know for sure about getting engaged it’s this: You’re about to walk left-hand first everywhere you go, start touching your face excessively when you talk to people, and be beyond excited to get started with your wedding plans.

One thing that secret Pinterest board may not have warned you about getting engaged is that getting engaged can be completely overwhelming for some people. Between being bombarded with questions about plans you didn’t know you had to make yet within the first five minutes of saying ‘Yes!’ (People are crazy – and nosey!) and wondering what the heck to do next, the overwhelm can start to creep in.

I’m a firm believer that getting engaged and planning your wedding is only as stressful as you make it. So where do you start? We already know you’ve been stashing inspiration away on that secret wedding Pinterest board. But, how do you actually go about making plans is the kicker. What do you do first after saying ‘Yes!’ to annoying your favorite person for the rest of your life? I’ve got a little list for you.

Just Engaged and Completely Overwhelmed? What You Need To Do Now

1. Celebrate!

You’re engaged to the one whom your soul loves, and that is something worth celebrating! Don’t feel like you have to jump into making plans right away. Take some time to celebrate this new season of life with the person who matters the most. Pop some bubbly, take some ring selfies, and enjoy the moment.

Call Your Close Friends and Family… Before Posting on Social Media!

Think about scrolling through your Instagram feed and seeing your best friend or sister got engaged – and that was how you found out. It’d be so disappointing, right? As much as you’re excited to share the news with the world, make sure to tell your closest friends and family the big news before you start posting on social media.

One of my favorite things about the day I got engaged was that we were surrounded by our families. Rob proposed to me on his Aggie Ring Day under The Century Tree on campus. With our whole families in town for his Ring Day, I had no clue that they had all been keeping the big reason for celebration of this day a secret for months. We celebrated with a huge dinner and a mini engagement party in my tiny one-bedroom college apartment. It was perfect!

Insure Your Ring!

Your engagement ring isn’t just another piece of jewelry. It’s an investment. Meanwhile, life happens. While you never want to think about anything happening to your new precious piece, it’s important to take the necessary steps to stay on the safe side. If you’re unsure about how or why to insure your ring, The Knot published a great article that you can read, here.

2. Have the Important Conversations

Unfortunately, as a wedding planner, a lot of times I see couples so excited about planning their weddings that they fail to even really plan at all. When it comes to planning your wedding, communication is key. There are some incredibly important conversations that must be had before you should start planning your big day. In fact, these must-have conversations will serve as the foundation and back bone behind everything you’ll decide on over the course of your engagement. These types of conversations include but are not limited to:

• What kind of wedding do you want?
• What is the budget?
• Who’s paying for what?
• Family Boundaries
• What elements of the wedding day do you care about the most?
• When do you want to get married? Set a date!

Not only will having these conversations make you both plan towards a wedding day that you’ve dreamed about. But, it will also help decisions flow so much easier throughout your whole planning process. Read more about the must-have conversations you need to be having before you start wedding planning, here.

READ ALSO: Must-Have Conversations To Have Before You Start Wedding Planning 

 

3. Hire a Wedding Planner

Your engagement is suppose to be an extremely exciting time in your life – not a prescription for extreme stress and anxiety. I love this quote from Chantel of Events by Coco from a recent blog post on Aisle Planner:

“Planning a wedding is basically a full time job. And, couples are paying for more than just someone to help pick their vendors, go on venue tours, and be there on wedding day. When you hire a planner, you’re paying for an experience, for an assistant, for someone that will be there to help you through the whole process – for someone to do the job of planning their wedding, allowing them to have time to live their life.”

A wedding planner’s job is to keep you organized and think of details no one else would have dreamed of to take stress off you as a bride, make your day go smoothly, and allow you to soak in every bride-to-be moment. When it comes to my couples, their experience is my top priority – no matter which package they book! I want help them be intentional on creating a wedding day around gathering together with their friends and family to celebrate and make memories that last a lifetime. I want them to remember nothing but how truly amazing their wedding day was. After all, it’s going to be one of the best days of their life. I don’t take that kind of thing lightly.

Learn More About The #CathyNugentBrides Experience

READ ALSO: Should You Hire a Wedding Planner?

READ ALSO: Why a ‘Day-Of Coordinator’ is Really So Much More Than Just The Day-Of

4. Get Inspired

After you’ve had those important conversations with your significant other about your wedding, it’s time to get excited and get inspire to plan one of the best days of your life.

Make a Pinterest Board

Let’s be honest. You most likely have had this secret wedding Pinterest board of yours since before you were even in a serious relationship. (I know I did!) Meanwhile, Pinterest is definitely a bittersweet social media platform. We all probably know it instead as a huge rabbit hole of a search engine. For weddings, it’s a great tool to figure out what style, themes, and colors make your heart sing.

But, I think one of the important things to remember about Pinterest is that you should use it for inspiration only. You shouldn’t be scrolling through Pinterest with the expectation of wanting an exact replica. Not only is it unrealistic, but you should want a wedding that is as unique as you are. Giving your vendors some creative leeway with your inspired design just might land you your own Pinterest worthy wedding.

READ ALSO: The Secret To Planning Your Wedding with Pinterest

Go to a Bridal Show

Now that you’ve posted your ring selfie and told everyone you know, you’re probably wondering how you even get started finding vendors or making plans. You’ll probably do what I did. You’ll want to see your options. Going to several different bridal shows is a great way to meet vendors, get inspiration, and kick-start the planning process. There’s tricks to getting the most out of each show – and I’m not just talking about cake samples! Check out my sweet secrets, here.

READ ALSO: How-To Get The Most From Attending a Bridal Show

5. Start Planning + Remember What Matters!

Your wedding day is the day that you’ve been waiting for since you were little playing wedding with a white princess play-gown and a pillowcase veil hanging from the back of your head. Let me tell you, wedding planning is the most fun experience. I mean, why else would I love getting to do it for a living?

Planning your wedding doesn’t have to be a prescription for stress. Regardless of how your wedding planning journey goes, the most important thing is that you enjoy the journey together and keep sight on what the whole journey is about. Remember the reason why you’re making these plans in the first place – you’re getting married! The rest is just the icing on the {wedding} cake.

READ ALSO: Advice For The Bride Planning Her Own Wedding