Congratulations on your engagement! This is an incredibly exciting time in your life, and after the initial surprise, celebrations and showing off that new sparkling ring you might be wondering, “what’s next?” In this blog post I’m sharing some tips and suggestions on what to do after you get engaged.

Announce Your Engagement & Enjoy the moment

The first step after getting engaged is to let the world know! To avoid any hurt feelings, before sharing on social media take time to share the happy news with family and close friends personally. Once your inner circle is in the know, post your engagement photos or share a simple announcement on social media to spread the love with your wider audience. 

Remember to simply enjoy the season of being engaged and calling each other “fiance” before getting caught up in the wedding planning.

 

Get your ring sized and insured

Now is a great time to double check your ring fits perfectly and have it resized if necessary. Since this is now a treasured possession it is highly recommended that you purchase ring insurance to save yourselves any headaches if anything were to happen to it.

 

Engagement Photos

A great way to capture the joy of your engagement and cherish the memories is with a professional engagement photoshoot. It’s also a great way to practice posing for photos and feeling relaxed in front of the camera. Choose a place that is meaningful to you both as a couple or in one of Minneapolis’s scenic locations such as the iconic Stone Arch Bridge, the Guthrie Theater, or the serene Chain of Lakes. These photos will serve as beautiful reminders of this special time in your lives. 

If you need more inspiration on engagement photo locations – I’ve got you covered. From stunning skyline views to beautiful lakefronts, I’ve rounded up the best Minneapolis engagement photography locations here.

 

Dream, Plan, and gather inspiration

It’s time to sit down with your partner and start dreaming about your wedding day and what it means to you both as a couple. Discuss your vision, where and when do you want to get married? Consider the people you want to invite, do you want to keep it as a small intimate wedding or a grand celebration? Start gathering inspiration to help envision the type of wedding you want. Pinterest is a great place to collect images, ideas, and styles that resonate with your vision.

 

Set a Budget

Once you have a general idea of what kind of wedding you want it’s time to talk about that B word. It is essential to set a realistic budget as this will help guide your decisions through the planning process. Think about the amount you are comfortable spending, how you want to allocate your budget, how you’ll save, and be sure to have honest conversations with anyone else that will be contributing. 

 

Start the Venue Search

Minneapolis offers a wide range of wedding venues, from elegant ballrooms & historic buildings to charming outdoor settings at lakes or parks. Begin researching venues that align with your vision, guest count, and budget. You also want to consider the time of year you want to get married and whether it will be an indoor or outdoor ceremony. Schedule visits to a few top contenders, and remember to ask about available dates. Popular venues can book up quickly, so securing your ideal location should be a top priority.

 

Hire a Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

Photography is a crucial element of your wedding day as your wedding photos will be cherished memories for a lifetime. Finding the right Minneapolis wedding photographer that aligns with your vision and style is essential. Ideally, you will want one that is familiar with your chosen venue and local surroundings. A good photographer can help you plan your engagement photo sessions, create a timeline, and ensure you have cherished memories of your special day.

Select Your Bridal Party

Choosing your bridal party is an important and often emotional part of the wedding planning process. Your bridal party will be your support system leading up to and on your big day, so it’s crucial to choose individuals who are not only important to you but also reliable and supportive. Consider those who have been with you through thick and thin, and people you know will support you throughout your wedding journey.

Find & book your wedding vendors

Planning a wedding can be a challenging task. One of the first vendors you may want to consider hiring is a wedding planner. They can help you navigate the process smoothly and assist with everything from choosing the right vendors to managing the timeline on your big day. To help with the vendor selection I have a list of my favorite vendors in Minnesota and Wisconsin here that I have worked with before and highly recommend.

 

Stay Organized and Enjoy the Process

After you get engaged and get stuck into wedding planning, it can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to stay organized and try to relish every moment. Start a wedding planning checklist to keep track of your tasks and set realistic goals. Don’t forget to take regular breaks to enjoy your engagement and each other.

 

Getting engaged in Minneapolis is just the beginning of an incredible journey. With the right planning and preparation, you can create a wedding day of your dreams. Remember to enjoy every moment of this time in your life, try not to get too stressed with the wedding planning and cherish the journey you are on.

 

 As a Minneapolis wedding photographer, I would be honored to be there to capture every precious moment. Learn more about my wedding photography here. I hope you have found this information helpful and cheers to the beginning of your happily ever after!