You’re Engaged! Now what?

From Ashley Fauset, Coco Rose Events

Ah, the thrill of the engagement! He asked. You accepted. What’s next? Here’s a handy engagement to-do list to get your plans up and running… toward the aisle…

Insure Your Ring

Do not overlook the importance of jewelry insurance. I can’t stress this enough. Chances are a big chunk of change went into that bling on your finger, and it would be devastating should the stone come loose from the setting and get lost, or heaven forbid, the ring is stolen. Your jeweler will have provided you with an appraisal for the ring, estimating the cost for replacement. Make a copy, as the insurance company will review it to properly quote your coverage, as well retain a copy for their records. Premiums will vary depending on the value of your rock, but are pretty nominal compared to replacing the ring yourself. Jewelers Mutual offers excellent coverage, boasting more than 20 years in the business.

Read more info about wedding ring insurance.

Spread the Word

Once you’ve settled into the excitement of being newly engaged, you’ll hardly be able to contain yourself. Be sure to tell both sets of parents before you leak the news to other friends and family. Once your folks are in the know, shout it from the rooftops! Surely you can’t call every single person you know to tell them the news, so consider sending out engagement announcements. They can be as formal as a printed announcement sent in the mail, or as whimsical as an e-announcement you send via email, Paperless Post, or Pingg. Choose what suits your styles (and budget) best. Another great way to celebrate your engagement is to have a party!

Throw an Engagement Party

An engagement party is certainly not necessary, but sure is a ton of fun! Especially if you’re considering a small or destination wedding, you ought to entertain the idea of throwing an engagement party. It allows friends and extended family to participate in the big celebration of your upcoming marriage without feeling terribly left out if they don’t make the final cut for the guest list. The party can be as simple or elaborate as you like, from a quaint backyard barbeque to a full-fledged cocktail party. Ideally, the bride-to-be’s father (or brother, uncle, etc.) should make a speech during the party to formally announce the engagement between you and your fiancé. It may seem like a stuffy idea, but it can be one of the most emotional and special moments of the entire wedding journey. Plus, it’s kind of like the gunshot at the races: And you’re off!

Engagement Photos

If you’re thinking about having an engagement session shot of you and your fiancé, start researching photographers in your area. Ask friends who have recently been married for their recommendations. Many wedding photographers offer packages that include a free engagement session, so doing your homework here can really pay off. Choose a location for the shoot that’s special to you both, or highlights your life together. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Outside the local concert hall, the museum gardens, the indie movie theater, the pier at the beach, the old Ferris wheel, on a bus stop bench… Use the photos in your engagement announcements, paper, or paperless, and print some to display at the engagement party. Your friends and family will want to revel in the loving images of you both.

Begin Gift Registries

It may seem a tad early to think about wedding presents, but people will start showering you with gifts once you announce your engagement. Don’t worry about having a fully stocked registry list right away; you can always add and edit these lists as you please. To start, but come up with a few items you know you need and want. Don’t be afraid to put more obscure things on your registry, either. These days, many newly engaged couples have been living on their own, and therefore already have a good set of dishes and coffee pot. While department and kitchen stores are great places to register for gifts, there are several all-inclusive online registries that allow you to compile items from any website. Pick and choose things you really need and want. Like that Tahitian honeymoon…

Read more wedding registry advice. And, even more wedding registry tips.

Setting the Scene: Date and Venue

While it may be a little early to nail down a wedding date, start talking about when and where you think you want to get married. What time of year? What will the weather be like? Will it be a local or destination wedding? Saturday dates from May-September are in high demand, especially in June and July, and book out well in advance, as do the kitschy numeral dates: 11/11/11, 10/9/11, 10/11/12, 12/12/12, etc. Also, be aware that most hotels and wedding venues have higher rates for Saturday events, so you may want to consider having it on a Friday or Sunday if your chosen venue is a popular wedding location or your budget is more modest. The venue for your wedding will set the overall tone of the affair, so whatever you do, choose your venue before you start shopping for your dress. A Duchess satin ball gown will look quite out of place on a sandy beach or at a mountain resort, just as a lacy sheath would pale in comparison to the grandeur of a gothic cathedral.

Guest List

The sooner you start thinking about your guest list, the easier the rest of your decisions will become. It may sound cruel, but sort your guests into two or three groups: the must-haves, the would-like-to haves, and the nice-to-haves. Begin with those that must be in attendance at the wedding—your parents, best friend, favorite aunt, etc. Work your way through your family, friends, and co-workers and determine whose presence is most important to you. It will help your list to stay manageable should you run into capacity or budgeting issues down the road.

The guest list will also help you determine your venue. If you can’t imagine getting married without your 85-year-old grandma there, then a destination wedding atop a mountain in Switzerland is probably not the best location. Conversely, you’ll want to be sure that your chosen venue will accommodate your number of guests. Will they all fit? Or will the room be too big for a smaller wedding? Generally, the venue will have an event manager that can help answer these questions.

Bridal Party

As soon as you’ve announced your engagement, your closest friends will want to know who is in the wedding. Will your best friend be your Maid of Honor, or is it between your sisters? How many bridesmaids will you have? It’s best to discuss the bridal party with your fiancé before you jump the gun and start asking your friends to stand up for you. What are his visions for the ceremony? Maybe he wants just his best man to stand with him, or maybe he has more friends lined up to be groomsmen than you thought. Get on the same page, and then think about whom your chosen flock will be. Choose your bridesmaids wisely. They’ll be your support system throughout the whole process. They’ll be throwing your shower and bachelorette party. How reliable are they? Who will really take charge and be there for you? And remember, when it comes down to it, most of your friends just want to come to the wedding and celebrate with you. Choose the few that are nearest and dearest to your heart.

For more wedding party advice, read tips on selecting groomsmen.

Build a Wedding Website

With all the time we spend on the web these days, a wedding website is an easy and fun tool to use to share all your event information. Many online companies offer pre-designed templates that you customize with a few clicks (Marriage.com will unveil their new wedding websites over the next few weeks. Sign up now to get your invite!). Upload a couple photographs, type up some text, and voila! You’ve got an easily accessible resource for all your wedding guests. Share engagement photographs, tell the story of your engagement, post directions to the venue, list the local hotels, and include your registry information. It’s also fun to set up the ‘guestbook’ feature to give your friends and family a place to share their warm wishes for your upcoming wedding.

As always, Coco Rose Events is here to help with all your wedding and party planning needs! If you have any questions, I invite you to contact us at info@cocoroseevents.com

Ashley Fauset is one of two owners of Coco Rose Events, a full service wedding planning, special event coordination and party consulting company. From restaurant and catering management to large-scale concert productions, Ashley has overseen events on every level. As a catering manager at the Westlake Village Inn, she’s directed weddings, bridal and baby showers, anniversary celebrations, corporate holiday parties, rehearsal dinners, and birthday brunches. Her industry event experience includes managing artist catering for the Coachella Valley Music Festival and Long Beach Jazz Festival, as well as productions at Staples Center, The Shrine Auditorium, El Rey Theater, The Henry Fonda Theater, and The Hollywood Bowl. Ashley’s international event experience includes her own wedding on the French Riviera.