Just Engaged - What's Next? Engagement and Wedding Planning Tips

First things first: congratulations! Getting engaged is a huge milestone, and before the spreadsheets, Pinterest boards, and group chats start buzzing, it’s worth pausing to really take it in. This season goes by quickly, so give yourselves permission to enjoy it.

At Spirited Event Group, we work with couples every day who are right where you are; excited, a little overwhelmed, and wondering what actually needs to happen first. This guide gives you engagement and wedding planning tips that will set the foundation for a celebration that feels intentional, personal, and stress‑managed from the start.

Photo Credit: Forever Framed by Haley

Enjoy the Moment

You only get engaged once (ideally!), so let yourselves bask in it for a bit.

Share the news!

• Tell your immediate family and closest friends in whatever way feels most natural - phone calls, FaceTime, or an in‑person dinner.

• Consider a casual proposal party or engagement celebration to bring everyone together. Spirited Event Group has several venues perfect for a post-proposal gathering.

• If and when you’re ready, share it on social media and soak up the love.

  
  

A practical but important note: once the excitement settles, make sure to insure the ring. It’s one of those unglamorous tasks that’s much better done sooner rather than later.

Start Your Guest List (Before You Tour Venues)

Before you look at venues or pick a date, it’s helpful to understand who you’re celebrating with. Your guest count will influence almost every decision that follows, especially venue selection, food and beverage costs, and the overall guest experience. As a venue‑focused planning partner, this is often the first place we recommend couples start.

Things to consider:

• Rough number of guests you’d like - Decide early whether you’re envisioning something intimate or a larger celebration, as this will immediately narrow venue and budget options.

• Immediate family expectations and friend group dynamics - Be realistic about family relationships and expectations so you can plan thoughtfully and avoid any “we didn’t see that coming” moments later. Also consider close-knit group dynamics, with tight circles, it’s often best to include everyone and be aware of who might cause controversy (maybe an ex).

• Plus‑ones — Who gets one and why? Set a clear plus‑one policy from the start to keep things fair and prevent the list from growing unexpectedly. Try to avoid unneeded controversy, if your desired guest has a long-term partner, you should extend a plus-one to them, even if you don’t know that person. If you really can't spare the space, be honest with the guest so they know why.

• Setting boundaries early - Well‑meaning family members often have opinions; gentle but firm boundaries now can save stress down the road.

• Creating an A‑list and B‑list - An A‑list covers must‑have guests, while a B‑list gives flexibility if space or budget allows.

Helpful tools:

• Zola and The Knot both offer free guest list managers that track addresses, RSVPs, and meal selections.

• Loverly Weddings is a wedding planning website that helps systemize the whole process.

• Google Sheets is great for collaborative editing if multiple people are involved.

For a helpful breakdown of creating your guest list, this guide from Brides is a great place to start: 👉 https://www.brides.com/story/how-to-make-a-wedding-guest-list

Set Your Budget (and Spend With Intention)

Talking about money early and honestly sets the tone for the entire planning process.

Budget considerations:

• Who is contributing financially - Clarify who is paying for what so expectations are aligned from the beginning.

• Overall comfort level with spending - Talk honestly about what feels reasonable for you both, not what you think a wedding should cost.

• What matters most to you - Prioritize the elements that will impact your experience and your guests’ experience the most.

• Hidden costs - Build in room for taxes, gratuities, attire alterations, and additional events like welcome parties or after‑parties.

Technology tools to help:

• Zola  and The Knot  both offer customizable budget trackers.

• WedBudget and Wedding Happy are two apps that make it easy to budget and plan from your phone

• YNAB (You Need A Budget) can help you see how wedding spending fits into your broader financial picture.

Talk About What You Both Want (Not What Everyone Else Wants)

Before diving into details, take time to align on the bigger picture.

Conversation starters:

• Are there family traditions or cultural elements that feel important to include?

• What do you not want?

• Do you imagine something formal, relaxed, playful, or non‑traditional?

• How do you want the day to feel for your guests?

Try not to get swayed by outside opinions or trends that don’t feel true to you. We see the most successful celebrations when couples anchor decisions in who they are and then use expert guidance to bring that vision to life. This celebration should reflect your personalities, whether that means a late‑night dance party, a laid‑back brewery welcome party, or an elegant seated dinner. Spirited Event Group has venues perfect for any vision.

Create a mood board:

• Choose a platform - Pinterest, Canva, Milanote or a shared Notes app all work. The goal is easy collaboration.

• Save what resonates - Focus on colors, textures, spaces, and vibes that feel right, not just what’s trending.

• Look for patterns - Common themes will emerge naturally and help guide decisions later.

This step becomes your north star as you move forward.

Then… Get Into the Details (With the Right Support)

Once you’ve:

• Enjoyed the moment

• Outlined your guest list

• Set a realistic budget

• Aligned on what you want

You’re ready to start planning in earnest.

A wedding planning checklist and timeline will help you stay organized and avoid decision fatigue. This is also the point when many couples choose to bring in planning support, whether that’s a full planner, a venue‑focused partner, or a trusted resource to help connect the dots. This comprehensive checklist from The Knot is a great place to begin.

There’s no single “right” way to plan a wedding. Take it step by step, keep communication open, and come back to what matters most whenever things feel overwhelming. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s creating a celebration that feels meaningful, joyful, and authentically yours.

About Spirited Event Group:

We specialize in connecting event hosts with venues to ensure your special occasion is one to remember. ​If you’re newly engaged and looking for unique venues, flexible spaces, and guidance that prioritizes guest experience, Spirited Event Group specializes in helping couples create celebrations that feel effortless, personal, and anything but cookie‑cutter. From engagement parties and welcome events to rehearsal dinners, weddings, and after‑parties, we’re here to help you navigate what’s next with clarity and confidence.