What You DON’T Need to Do Right After You Get Engaged
So you just got engaged- congratulations! You’ve probably already been bombarded with what your next steps should entail. Instead of adding to your already enormous to-do list, we’re telling you what NOT to do right after you get engaged. That way you can sit back, relax, and actually soak up your excitement.
1. Snagging Your Hashtag
Don’t get me wrong, we love wedding hashtags (we even have our own wedding hashtag generator). They’re fun, personal, and a fantastic tool for keeping your memories in one place, but hold off before snagging yours. While it may feel satisfying in the moment, keep in mind that there is no way to reserve a hashtag. Even if you find one so unique that nobody is using it right now, there is always a possibility that another couple can unknowingly hijack your hashtag before your wedding. So wait a bit longer before printing your hashtag on table cards and signs. It will save you the inconvenience later on.
After you find that perfect hashtag and have a gorgeous wedding, you’re going to want to relive those amazing moments captured by your family and friends. Imagine the joy you’ll feel as you scroll through pictures of your bridesmaids dancing or a clip from your cake tasting. You’re probably going to feel compelled to share these memories, but sharing or downloading from Instagram can be a huge project. Unfortunately this is the problem that has so many couple’s photos living on Instagram instead of cherished up close. Brides often ask themselves why they needed the hashtag in the first place if they can’t easily show off the photos.
Didja know that WeddingMix is the only Instagram approved way to get a fun, shareable video from your wedding hashtag?”
To avoid this mistake, a shareable Instagram video is the best way to use your hashtag to its fullest potential. You’ll get to relive those moments and show off your special day. Here are some simple ways to share your hashtag so you’ll be on your way to sharing your photos in no time!
2. Picking Your Bridal Party
Bridesmaids stand by your side throughout the entire planning process from the bridal shower, dress fitting, and through the occasional tears, so choose them wisely! There’s no need to feel rushed or obligated to ask specific people based on history. Really consider who you can depend on and hand off responsibility to when needed. We’re not saying your bridesmaids should ignore their personal lives to dote on your every need, but make sure they’re dependable.
WeddingMix brides Stephanie and Serenity expressed their regrets for rushing the process.
I picked my bridal party within a month and didn’t give myself time to see how moving out of the state would effect my wedding. I still wish I had one of my best friends from grad school in my bridal party instead of the girl I actually picked.”- Stephanie
Pick your bridal party carefully. I’m not even friends with one of the bridesmaids anymore and it’s only two months after the wedding. We had been friends for 10 years and she left before dinner was served.”- Serenity
3. Feel the Pressure
This next tip comes from the recently engaged Christina Cimorelli. She offered up some wise words when it comes to the pressure of wedding planning.
Looking back on that first week after getting engaged, my advice to someone else in my shoes would be this: do NOT put so much pressure on yourself to have it all together. Know that it’s okay to go at your own pace and trust that things will come together!
Many things attributed to my spiral into the depths of wedding planning anxiety mere days after becoming a fiancee, including friends who had just planned out more at that point than I had, the expectations of others for what my wedding should be, and the pressure to please everyone.”
See Christina’s engagement story below. You’re going to love these two!
4. Finding Your Photographer
You may have been told to secure your photographer right away, but why rush? If you’re feeling skeptical then think about how many photographers are available with a quick google search. Unless you have a super exclusive celebrity photographer in mind, give yourself time to breathe. There’s no reason why booking a photographer can’t wait.
Some of the best photos I love best, I found when I downloaded the photos from WeddingMix. I didn’t know I had so many great photographers in my life.”- Erica
Erica’s wedding video was created with the help of her loved ones using WeddingMix. Watch their video to see some of their super fun photo booth pictures.
5. Choosing Your Wedding Theme
Unless you have a clear picture of what you want your wedding to look like, don’t mull over the theme too much. It’s almost too easy to fall down the dreaded Pinterest rabbit hole, leaving you feeling overwhelmed. On top of it, you may not even know what fits in your budget just yet.
Bride Stephanie shared her own experience when she was planning her wedding:
Priority should be choosing a date and booking solid vendors, but I was definitely surprised how much things shifted once I had booked people like the florist and we really started getting into the nitty gritty. General details are fine, but details weren’t as important until much later in the planning process. All my vendors were flexible with the details and helped me actually envision the whole final product.”
See Stephanie’s wedding planning journey from sending invitations, opening her wedding shower presents, and trying on her veil in her WeddingMix highlight video.
6. Your Appearance
We loved this tip that Elena Infantino from XO Mella blog shared with us. It’s SO true.
We all love those “sweating for the wedding” shirts and water bottles. They’re created for a reason, many girls (and guys) take getting engaged as a reason to go on some crazy diet or workout program. While health is important, if you want to lose weight or get in shape it should be a personal choice, not one caused by the shiny ring on your finger. Someone proposed to you because they love you for exactly as you are right now. Don’t lose sight of that! Don’t make this a time of extreme stress! Make it a time where you are making decisions based solely on what makes you happy. It’s all about balance.”
Check out Elena’s other tips in her video below!
7. Shout it From The Rooftops!
Woohoo! You just got engaged and now you want to tell everyone. That’s understandable because you should be excited, but you may want to hold off before announcing it to all of your Facebook friends. Think about how often you actually speak to half of the people on your friends list. You’re probably not going to invite most of them at your wedding. versus the family and friends you care deeply about.
First, make sure to enjoy the moment. Bask in the joy together because the moment is for you both. Next think about who you want to know first and how you want to tell them. Maybe you want to capture your family’s reactions or come up with a creative reveal. It’s up to you, so give yourselves time to think.
As wise WeddingMix bride April once said, “There’s a lot of pressure to pick a date and vendors and colors and invitations and entertainment and just get everything done. Relax and enjoy your engagement.”
Couldn’t have said it better. Anything we missed? Let us know!
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