What to Do After Getting Engaged

So you just got engaged! Congrats! You’re probably feeling a million emotions right now – excitement, joy, maybe a teeny tiny touch of panic (don’t worry, it’s normal!). Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming – there are so many decisions you need to make and things you need to manage.

As a BC Elopement and Intimate Wedding Photographer, I’ve prepared a list of things what to do after getting engaged to help you navigate this time as stress-free as possible!

Come Up With a Guest List & Set Your Budget

One of the most important tasks after getting engaged is setting your budget! But this point also is rather inseparable with coming up with a guest list. These two decisions go hand-in-hand, as the number of guests you plan to invite will directly impact the overall costs of your wedding. 

When you create your guest list, think of people you can’t imagine the day without. Don’t feel the pressure to invite people, just because someone else wants them there. It’s your day and you should enjoy the company of your guests, OR have no guests at all if you want it to be just the two of you! And also, each additional guest will add to the costs for catering, rentals, favors, and more. The amount of guests will also affect the size of venue you’ll be able to rent for your day.

Set a realistic budget that you can afford! You don’t want to start your married life with a massive wedding debt! Definitely also set a bit of money aside for unexpected costs, as those tend to come up as well.

Set The Date

Choosing the perfect date is an important decision, because that can impact various aspects of your big day. Think about the season that you’d like to get married in, what kind of weather you hope for, and any meaningful dates or anniversaries. A lot of couples choose to get married on an anniversary that already means a lot to them, like the first date, first kiss, and so on!

Popular wedding dates and peak seasons can affect venue availability and pricing, so flexibility in your date selection can be beneficial.

Choose Your Venue

One of the most important choices for your wedding is going to be your wedding venue. This is the place where all the magic is going to happen, so you’ll want to choose wisely. Think about the vibe you’re going for – is it a rustic barn, a chic city loft, or a picturesque garden? Your venue sets the tone for the whole day.

You’ll also need to consider the size of your guest list and, of course, your budget. Popular wedding spots tend to book up super fast, even a year or two in advance, especially for peak dates and seasons. So don’t wait around – start inquiring about availability as soon as you can. 

Once you’ve locked down the date and the venue, you can start reaching out to other vendors. Most wedding pros will need to know your specific location and day in order to save your spot on their calendars. A lot of venues even provide couples with a list of preferred vendors, which can be a great starting point. But don’t feel like you have to stick to that list – if you have your heart set on working with someone else, you should usually be able to make that happen.

Here are some of my recommendations for the best wedding venues in Fernie BC! But what if the great outdoors ends up being your venue because you choose to elope? I’ve got you! Here are 10 best places to elope in British Columbia!

Decide on Your Theme

Deciding on a theme or style for your wedding is an exciting step in the planning process. Your chosen theme will serve as the foundation for your decor, attire, and overall aesthetic. Take some time to reflect on your personal style, the vibe you want to create, and any meaningful elements you’d like to incorporate. Perhaps you envision a romantic, garden-inspired celebration, maybe something sleek and modern, or maybe a rustic chic event. 

Pinterest is a great tool to help you with this! And all of this will help you find the perfect wedding vendors to help you bring this vision to life!

Book Your Wedding Vendors

Once you have your venue secured, you can begin reaching out to photographers, caterers, florists, DJs, and other professionals to ensure they are available on your chosen date. Each vendor plays an important role in creating your dream wedding, so take the time to research, read reviews, and meet with potential candidates to find the perfect fit for your special day. Make sure to also check out their portfolio and see if they work in a style you envision as well! Bonus points, if your personalities vibe well!

Of course I’m going to say this, but having a wedding photographer is one of the most important vendors when it comes to your wedding day! When you work with me you get so much more than just a photographer, of course I will provide you with stunning images that you get to relive for years to come, but I will also be your right hand gal in the time leading up to your wedding and encourage you to dream up a wedding day that feels like you! I will be there to support you through it all so you can fully enjoy your wedding day, stress-free!

My approach to photography aligns with a documentary-style approach, chasing those in between moments, candid captures and stolen glances. If this sounds like something you’d love to have for your wedding or elopement day, send me a message here! You can also check out more about me here, and my portfolio here!

Start Shopping For Your Wedding Attire

Start by browsing styles that vibe with your overall wedding theme and your personal taste. Think about silhouettes, fabrics, and any special details you love. Don’t leave this part until the last minute, because you may need alterations!

Make sure you choose something comfortable and beautiful, so you feel confident on your big day! And it is a long day, so make sure your attire is comfy to be in for the duration (or maybe consider an outfit change for the reception?!)

Draft Your Wedding Timeline

With the big-picture details like the date, venue, and guest list sorted out, it’s time to start planning the flow of your ceremony and reception. This is where you can get into the nitty-gritty and really bring your wedding vision to life. 

For the ceremony, think about the sequence of events – who will walk down the aisle, what readings or musical performances you’d like to include, and who will officiate the exchange of vows. Work closely with your officiant to ensure the ceremony aligns with your personal beliefs and preferences. 

As for the reception, map out the timeline of events – cocktail hour, dinner, toasts, first dance, and so on. Work with your DJ or band to curate the perfect playlist to keep your guests entertained and on the dance floor all night long. Don’t forget to factor in special dances, cake cutting, and any other traditions you want to incorporate.

This is something a wedding planner would help you with, if you choose to hire one! If that’s in your budget, I really recommend hiring one to keep the wedding planning as stress free for you as possible. If you’re choosing to elope, your elopement photographer would help you create an elopement timeline (like I do for my couples!)

Send Out The Invites

Once you have set your date and have your venue locked in, it’s time to start inviting your guests. Send these out as early as possible, to give your guests plenty of advance notice to mark their calendars and start planning for your big day.

Include all the key details like the ceremony and reception times, dress code, RSVP information. You can also use the invitations to highlight your wedding theme or style.

Get Your Marriage License

To get married in British Columbia you will need to obtain a marriage license to make it legal. Within three months prior to your elopement day, you will need to get your marriage license. It costs $100 and only one partner needs to apply for the license, but you will need to bring an ID for both partners. You can get your marriage license at any Service BC location.

Finalize the Details

As your wedding day draws closer, it’s time to start tying up all the loose ends. This is when you’ll want to confirm the details with each of your vendors. Stay organized and communicate proactively with your vendors and wedding party! This will allow you to enjoy the celebration without stressing about the last-minute details.

The Day of Coordination

A lot of wedding venues these days offer a coordinator to help you deal with all the logistics. They are someone who oversee the details, handle any unexpected issues, and ensure that everything runs smoothly.

If that is not included in your wedding venue package, you can hire a coordinator or assign this task to a trusted friend or family member. This person can serve as the point of contact for vendors, assist with setup and breakdown, and help keep the wedding timeline on track.

Having someone there to help you with this will allow you to focus on your new spouse and the celebration of your love, so you don’t need to run around and chase people! 

Enjoy Your Day

My biggest tip – don’t forget the most important part – enjoying your special day! Enjoy the little moments, from getting ready with your wedding party to exchanging vows with your partner, dancing the night away, and being present with your guests. Trust that all the hard work and preparation you’ve put into planning your wedding will come together beautifully, and allow yourself to be fully present in each moment.

Remember, this day is about you and your partner and your love story!

But hey, if you’re still not convinced a big wedding is for you, here are 6 reasons to consider eloping instead! I am a big believer in doing whatever feels right for your big day, big or small, and I will be here to cheer you on every step of the way!

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