Congratulations! You’re Engaged!

Now What?...

Vineyard Engagement Photoshoot@Fortino Winery, Gilroy CA

I remember when my husband FINALLY... proposed to me! I say finally because we were together for 7 years before he popped the question. So it was a long running joke. That aside, the moment was perfect! We were literally on the top of a feshley snow covered mountain with Lake Tahoe in all her glory as our back-drop. Our closest friends and family were on the top deck of the cabin watching it all unfold. And then, once they realized what was happening, were eagerly waiting for us to hike back to pop the champagne. 

Take it from me, here are the top 10 things you should do once you’re engaged:

Celebrate!

Start by taking some time to marinate in the moment. Celebrate your engagement with family and friends. Throw an engagement party or just have a night out with your closest loved ones. Make sure to remember the little things that made this moment special.

Open a joint bank account

For a lot of newly engaged couples the financial burden of having a wedding falls on their own shoulders. Having a joint bank account not only makes sense for the future but, it's a great tool if you’re paying for the wedding on your own. Start depositing those engagement gifts in a safe place dedicated towards helping you have your dream wedding.

Get inspired

Start looking at wedding websites, magazines, and Pinterest to get inspired for your big day. If you're anything like me you have already saved about 7 different wedding boards on Pinterest. Now it's time to really focus on your wedding aesthetic. Another great place to find inspiration in a bridal show. You will be able to see what is trending and also who is available to help make that happen.

Figure out your budget

This is an important step in the wedding planning process. If you opened a joint bank account that will help in this area tremendously. This is where the two of you really need to prioritize the most important aspects of your wedding day. For me, it was photography, great food, and a beautiful ceremony space. Deciding on a budget will help you make the important decisions and build your perfect day around what means the most to you. Which brings me to my next tip...

Hire a wedding planner!

Hiring a wedding planner is an absolute must! By that I do not mean encourage a friend to take on that responsibility, NO! I mean hire a professional that's sole responsibility is making your dream wedding come true. I promise this will be the best decision you make. They can deal with the intricate details while you just get to be drunk in love and enjoying every moment. 

Set a Date

Believe it or not there are a lot of factors that can effect your wedding date. Luckily, in California we have about 9 great months out of the year so weather isn't too big of an issue. Take time to really research the venues, make sure you are in love with it. Most venues book out about 12-18 months in advance so take that into consideration when settling on your wedding date.

Hire your wedding photographer and schedule engagement photos

If you've had your eye on a specific photographer for a while, now is the time to make sure they are available. Photography is one of the most important parts of the wedding day and because of that can book out 12-18 months in advance. Don't settle on a photographer who's work you aren't in love with. Photos will be the only thing that last well beyond the wedding day. When you look back on these moments you should still be able to feel the emotions you felt on that day. To inquire about availability for Monica Dawn Photography click here.

Take engagement pictures

This is a great way to capture this special moment and have some fun with your fiancé. Another reason an engagement photoshoot is a must is you'll be able to knock off all the nerves of being in front of the camera well before your wedding day. This experience is even more valuable for your photographer. Every couple is unique and expresses their affection for one another differently. You're photographer will be able to decode if you two love showing PDA or if your feelings should be displayed in a more subtle way. Whichever is right for you this experience is a win all around. To see samples from some of my engagement photoshoots click here.

Book other vendors

Once your venue is booked, the date is set, and your photographer is secured it's time to fill in the blanks. This is where a wedding planner can really shine! They know your budget and your priorities so they can certainly help you find the best team to create your wedding aesthetic. To see a few of my recommended professionals click here.

Sit back and relax!

Once you’ve done all the hard work, it’s time to sit back and relax! Go on a date night. Talk about what the future holds and just be in love!

Vineyard Engagement Photoshoot@Fortino Winery, Gilroy CA

Monica Dawn Photography specializes in timeless wedding photography in the Bay Area, including Napa, Sonoma, Pleasanton, Livermore, San Francisco, San Jose, Monterey and beyond.

Thank you so much for visiting! I would love to hear more about your special day. Each wedding and engagement experience is unique and the images created reflects that individual attention. I hope to ease any nerves you may have about being in front of the camera and create a space to free fall into the moment. I love creating heirloom albums that can tell your love story beautifully for generations to come.

My clients invest $4,500+ on their wedding photography.

If you are interested in scheduling a consultation to get more information regarding your upcoming wedding please click here to contact me or you can reach out directly to [email protected] 209-629-1408. I am looking forward to getting to know you!