If you just got engaged, take a deep breath, you’re about to start one of the most exciting seasons of your life! Before you jump into planning, it helps to slow down and enjoy the moment. It’s easy to get caught up in the long to-do list, but this time is more than that. It’s about love, celebration, and dreaming big together.
So, where do you start? We’re walking you through the first things to do after getting engaged so you can feel a little less overwhelmed and a lot more ready.
Hi, we’re Maggie and Amber, the best friend duo behind Kindred Light Studios. If you just got engaged (congrats!), you’re probably feeling a mix of joy, excitement, and maybe a little “where do we even start?” We’re here to help you slow down, soak it all in, and start planning with heart. Learn more about how we tell love stories through timeless photography, and reach out if you’d love to work together!
Take a Breath (and Soak It All In)
We know the urge to jump straight into Pinterest boards is strong. But if you just got engaged, the very first thing you should do is pause and enjoy the feeling. Let it sink in. Hold hands. Talk about how it happened. Replay the moment together. Tell each other what you’re most excited for. This little window, before the questions come pouring in, is special. It doesn’t last forever, so give yourselves permission to enjoy it without pressure.
Just got engaged? Start here. This blog walks you through the first steps to take, with calm, clarity, and heart.
Just Got Engaged and Ready to Share the News Thoughtfully
Next up is sharing the happy news. But don’t feel like you have to rush onto social media. Start by calling or FaceTiming your closest friends and family. The people who matter most will love hearing it directly from you. These first conversations can be some of the sweetest moments, filled with happy tears, excited questions, and all the love in the world.
Once your inner circle knows, go ahead and make your announcement public. Post your favorite photo, write a sweet caption, and soak in all the joy that follows. If your proposal was photographed, this is a perfect time to share one of those special images. And if not, don’t worry, your engagement session will give you something beautiful to share soon. This season is worth celebrating in every little way.
Now That You’ve Just Got Engaged, Take Time to Dream
If you just got engaged, take a moment to dream before diving into planning. Picture what your ideal day feels like, big and lively or small and quiet. Sit down together, talk it through, and explore ideas like location, season, and timing. You don’t need answers yet, just a shared vision to guide what comes next.
Here are a few ideas to talk about as you dream:
- What kind of setting feels most like you
- How you want the day to feel from morning to night
- What moments matter most to you both
- Who you imagine standing beside you
- Whether you want a local wedding or a destination trip
- What you hope your photos will look and feel like
Let this part stay fun and open. When you just got engaged, dreaming together builds connection and helps guide the choices that come later.
Want to make your wedding feel unforgettable for your guests? This blog shares simple ways to create a meaningful and personal experience.
Set Your Priorities (Not Just a Budget)
Once you’ve shared some dreams, it’s time to start thinking about what matters most to both of you. Your budget is part of that, but it’s not the only thing to consider. Think about the moments you want to remember most and where you want to spend your time, energy, and money. What would make your wedding day feel like a true reflection of you?
Maybe beautiful photos are more important to you than a big cake. Or maybe you’d love a cozy dinner with close friends instead of a packed dance floor. There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s all about what feels right for you. Talk through these ideas together and write down what stands out. It will help you stay focused and make decisions that feel good later on.
Planning your big day? Don’t miss The 7 Most Common Wedding Regrets (and How to Avoid Them), so you can plan with confidence, not second thoughts.
Nail Down a Rough Guest List & Date Range
You don’t need an exact guest count or date yet, but having a general idea will help everything else fall into place. Venues, catering, even the size of your wedding party, all of that depends on how many people you’re inviting.
Start by writing down:
- Must-invite guests (like close family and friends)
- A ballpark number of total guests
- A season or general time of year you both love
- Any dates you need to avoid (like holidays or family events)
- Locations you’re open to (local or destination)
- Whether your ceremony and reception will be in the same place
- General vibe or style you’re leaning toward (formal, casual, outdoors, etc.)
- Any cultural or family traditions you want to include
If you’re thinking about a destination wedding in Italy or Greece, this is also when you’d want to start looking into travel timelines and logistics. The earlier you know your direction, the easier it gets to plan.
Schedule an Engagement Session (Yes, Already!)
You just got engaged, and now you’re glowing, so it’s the perfect time for engagement photos! Scheduling a session early does more than give you cute photos for save-the-dates. It helps you get comfortable in front of the camera and build trust with your photographer.
As wedding and engagement photographers in Cincinnati, we always recommend doing this step early. The sooner we get to meet you, the better we can get to know your story and what makes you feel most like yourselves in front of the camera. An engagement session is also a relaxed, no-pressure way to connect before the big day, and you’ll walk away with beautiful photos from this exciting season.
Looking for the right wedding photographer? This blog will help you find someone who fits your style and tells your story beautifully.
Start Researching Your Dream Vendor Team
Once you have a rough date and guest list, it’s time to start building your vendor team. Begin with the key ones that book up fast: your venue, photographer, and planner. Choose people who make you feel supported, understood, and excited, this team will be with you through one of the biggest days of your life.
Here’s a quick list to get you started:
- Wedding planner or coordinator
- Photographer(that can be us!) and/or videographer
- Venue
- Catering and bar
- Florist
- Hair and makeup
- DJ or live music
- Officiant
As you begin reaching out, try to set up calls or meetings with the vendors you’re most interested in. Personality fit matters just as much as style and experience. It should feel easy to talk to them, and even easier to trust them with your vision.
Think About Your Story (and How You Want It Told)
Every wedding is different because every love story is different. So before you get too deep into planning details, take a moment to think about your story. What do you want your wedding day to reflect? What do you want your photos to feel like when you look back on them years from now?
Whether you’re planning a local wedding or an intimate celebration at home or abroad, your story deserves to be told in a way that feels honest and full of heart. And as your photographers, we’re here to help bring that vision to life and capture it in a way that feels true to you.
So much happens on your wedding day that you might not see, but your photographer will. This blog shares the moments worth remembering.
You’ve Just Got Engaged—Now Soak It Up
If you just got engaged, take a deep breath. There’s no one right way to start planning, but slowing down, dreaming together, and setting your priorities early can make everything else feel a little more grounded. This chapter is meant to be enjoyed, not rushed. Celebrate your love, take it one step at a time, and surround yourselves with people who truly understand what matters to you.
We’d love to be part of that journey. From the big, joy-filled moments to the quiet ones in between, we’re there to capture it all. Take a peek at our galleries to see how we tell each couple’s story with heart, or come say hi on Instagram. We’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.
