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Styling and Inspiration + Handcrafted Designs

Weddings

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

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 // Atlanta Certified Wedding Planner // What To Do After You Get Engaged

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.

Just Engaged and Completely Overwhelmed? What You Need To Do Now // Atlanta Certified Wedding Planner // What To Do After You Get Engaged

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.

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

Just Engaged and Completely Overwhelmed? What You Need To Do Now // Atlanta Certified Wedding Planner // What To Do After You Get Engaged

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

Just Engaged and Completely Overwhelmed? What You Need To Do Now // Atlanta Certified Wedding Planner // What To Do After You Get Engaged

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

January 11, 2018

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Comments

  1. Helene says

    January 11, 2018 at 7:32 pm

    This is so incredibly helpful! I got engaged over the summer and have been so overwhelmed with the idea of beginning to plan my wedding!

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      January 18, 2018 at 9:38 pm

      Congratulations on your engagement, Helene! I am so glad that you found this post helpful. Take a look around at some of my other posts, I promise they’ll help! Happy Planning 🙂

      Reply
  2. Linda says

    January 11, 2018 at 9:11 pm

    These tips make a lot of sense! Especially hiring a wedding planner.

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      January 18, 2018 at 9:39 pm

      Thank you, Linda! I am so glad that you enjoyed the post and agree. Hiring a wedding planner is so important!

      Reply
  3. kara says

    January 12, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    I wish I saw this post last year! I think the most important thing is to celebrate a little then have the important convos for sure!

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      January 18, 2018 at 9:39 pm

      I couldn’t agree with you more, Kara! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jen Morrow says

    January 12, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    Great tips, especially the communication to your friends/family, and with each other for plans.

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      January 18, 2018 at 9:39 pm

      Yes! Communication is definitely key when it comes to planning the wedding.

      Reply
  5. Hazel says

    January 12, 2018 at 6:57 pm

    A friend and work colleague of mine has just got engaged and has been asking me for advice on how to get started with planning. I will show her this post as some of your tips are bang on!

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      January 18, 2018 at 9:42 pm

      Thanks, Hazel! I hope your sweet friend finds this post helpful. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Julie I Aloha Lovely says

    January 12, 2018 at 7:06 pm

    What great tips! Important to not get too overwhelmed and start checking things off your list early!

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      January 18, 2018 at 9:43 pm

      Amen, Julie! I definitely agree!

      Reply
  7. magen says

    January 12, 2018 at 7:29 pm

    So many people skip the wedding planner and do it on their own, but my god is that stressful. If it can be afforded I highly recommend the wedding planner. I could not handle that stress myself.

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      January 18, 2018 at 9:43 pm

      I couldn’t agree with you more, Magen! A lot of brides have been dreaming about this day for so long that they can’t imagine anyone but themselves planning it. But, our jobs as wedding planners are really to help take the stress off!

      Reply

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Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

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I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty view like this. ✨💛 I hung these DARLING cafe curtains in my kitchen today, and I can’t get enough of the gold details with the rod, rings, and medallions. I still need to install cabinet hardware, but I’m really loving how everything is coming together in our new house. I’m feeling so inspired with embracing new styles and I hope you are too following along!  #ahostinghome 

Shared a closer look on stories today! Shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Futt #liketkit #shopltk #ltkhome

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Building raised garden beds and planting with a to Building raised garden beds and planting with a toddler who just wanted to  dig and bury tools and throw dirt everywhere was as about as chaotic as you could imagine. (Forget wood for a second, have you seen how expensive DIRT is this year?! 🤦🏼‍♀️) Rob built me raised beds at our old house after Layne passed away and learning to garden became such a labor of love for me. We really missed having a garden last summer after we sold our old house and moved into the rental, so we were so excited to get started and plan another set of raised beds for this year for the new house. It’s a start — and we can’t wait to expand this little garden area even more as we go. 💛🪴 Are you excited for your garden this year? What are you growing?! #ahostinghome 

#raisedbeds #raisedgardenbeds #raisedbedgarden #raisedgarden #raisedbedgardening #gardening #backyardgarden #bhghome #mybhg #bhglivebetter
Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence about a bold design decision… to just do it! After I shared the black living room wall, I had a few friends tell me they wanted to do the same in other spaces in their home and they chickened out. Especially when it comes to paint, I say just go for it! Paint is one of the easiest ways to completely transform the look and feel of your home. It’s only paint — and that’s the beauty of it! If you hate it you can always paint it back. So instead of asking what if you hate it, ask yourself what if you LOVE it?! 🖤👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3EXef

// Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in eggshell/satin in the Duration line // Walls are Extra White by #sherwinwilliamspaint 

#tricornblack #sherwinwilliams #sherwinwilliamstricornblack #sherwinwilliamsextrawhite #blackaccentwall #blackwall #accentwall #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordesignideas #homedecor #homedesign #homedesignideas #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #homestyling #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter #mybhg #bhgcolor #swcolorlove
About the only thing I managed to get done this we About the only thing I managed to get done this weekend with a sick toddler was the little gallery wall in our dining room. I found these wireless battery operated gold gallery lights on Amazon and they are AMAZING. Comes in 3 colors, under $35, and super easy to install. I love how it just added a little something and made it look more high end. 😍👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk here ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Ep2B

tags // #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #gallerywall #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #transitionalstyle #transitionaldecor #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomdesign #ltkhome #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
My living room took a complete transformation this My living room took a complete transformation this evening — and I’m so in love! (You really didn’t think I’d part with these floral curtains did you?! 🤪) I always talk about the power of paint… but there’s also so much power in drapery, friends! I love how cozy they make our new home feel and how it just feels like “us” now with them up. ❤️ #ahostinghome
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p.s. I’ve also got big plans to refinish these table and chairs soon! 😍

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It’s been a long time coming, y’all… We clo It’s been a long time coming, y’all… 
We closed on our new house last week! It has been a crazy past few days getting moved in and the essentials set up/ unpacked, but we are so excited for the new adventure! We’ve already got so many plans and ideas, and I can’t wait to completely transform this home! 😍 I hope you’re just as excited to follow along! #ahostinghome
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Exterior Paint Colors—
- Siding: Extra White by @sherwinwilliams 
- Shutters & Door: Iron Ore by #sherwinwilliams 
- Cedar wood columns

#newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildjourney #newbuildprogress #newhomeconstruction #newhome #houseprogress #homeprogress #extrawhitesherwinwilliams #ironoresherwinwilliams

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