Just Engaged? Here's Exactly What You Should Do Next

Congratulations, you're engaged! Cue the internal freak out. Who do you tell? Should you have an engagement party? How soon should you start shopping for venues? When can you schedule your cake tasting? Now that a wedding is on the horizon, you're probably wondering what to do after getting engaged. Before you start spiraling (or having a wedding planning menty b), take a deep breath. You're in the right place, and we're here to help.

As a brand new fiancé(e), your first thought was probably something along the lines of, "I just got engaged, now what?" Here's the good news: There's no need to stress. Planning a wedding is indeed a process, but it doesn't need to start the moment the ring slips onto your finger. Every couple's timeline is different, and there's no specific schedule when planning your nuptials.

Before you do anything else, bookmark this guide that breaks down exactly what you should do after the proposal. Read our top expert tips to help kick off your wedding planning experience and stay on track from start to finish.

Design: Natalie Romine

1. Enjoy Your Engagement

First things first: Take a pause! Before you feel the need to start organizing binders and reaching out to vendors, soak up this incredible milestone you just experienced. "Take the first few days of your engagement just for the two of you. As tempting as it is to announce your engagement to the world, you deserve at least a few days to bask in the new status of your relationship privately," says McKenzi Taylor, owner of Cactus Collective Weddings and Electric Sugar Elopements. You don't have to jump into wedding planning when you're just engaged. In fact, we encourage couples to take some time to relax before the planning process begins. Consider planning an engagement moon to enjoy one-on-one time.

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Of course, if you're planning a short engagement or you're working within a strict wedding timeline, you might not want to delay the process too long. Do what feels right to you and your partner, not what you *think* you should do.

2. Declare the News

The second thing you should do as a newly engaged couple is share the happy news. Some couples tell everyone as soon as possible, while others prefer to keep the news a secret before going public. (Maybe you're even envisioning a coy soft launch à la Dua Lipa or Zendaya.) "Announce to close friends and family, and allow them to celebrate you. Field your congratulations from your closest circles and celebrate with those who matter in your everyday lives," Taylor says.

To avoid hurt feelings, certain people should be told about the engagement before you post on social media: First, your parents and immediate family, followed by extended family and friends. Your VIPs will appreciate the opportunity to congratulate you directly (and hear it from you first).

3. Snap a Ring Selfie

It's the moment you've been waiting for. While you're still rocking that post-engagement glow, snap a few ring selfies (either for the 'gram or for your private memories). The time to show off your sparkler is now.

4. Get Your Ring Sized and Insured

If you're wondering what to do after getting engaged, one of the very first tasks should be getting your ring sized and insured. While this step isn't romantic, it's definitely necessary. If you notice the ring doesn't fit as nicely as you want, go to your jeweler and get it sized properly; You don't want it twisting around your finger or falling off and getting lost.

Speaking of lost rings, look into engagement ring insurance to protect your precious gem against theft, damage and other casualties. Some homeowner's and renter's insurance policies offer jewelry coverage as additional add-ons. You can also purchase a separate protection plan with a company that specializes in jewelry, so research which option works best for you.

5. Pick a Wedding Date

Next, you'll want to lock in your wedding date. (The earlier you start looking, the better, as this gives you more flexibility for your preferred vendors and venues.) Your wedding date can be special to you and your partner, like the day you first met or when you first said "I love you" to one another. You may also want to consider if your event would fall during peak wedding season and whether it'll take place on a weekday or a weekend, as all of these factors will impact the price. If you have a specific time, season or venue in mind, we suggest you tick this off your after-engagement checklist as soon as possible so you have a better idea of where to start with your other planning to-dos.

6. Schedule an Engagement Photo Shoot

Get some prewedding pictures taken so you and your partner can strengthen your confidence in front of the camera, document this time in your lives, and get to know a potential wedding photographer. "Capture this magical moment as an engaged couple before you say 'I do,'" Taylor says. "Find a good photographer and plan an engagement photo shoot that reflects the vibe and aesthetic you will always want to remember about this special moment in your life."

7. Start a Checklist

Once you select a wedding date, another thing you should do after getting engaged is make a list of tasks to guide planning. You can create a personalized wedding checklist on The Knot to figure out what your to-dos are on a month-by-month basis. Don't stress yourself out in the beginning by setting deadlines that might prove to be unrealistic. Our tool will guide you on which essential tasks to do and when. It might seem daunting trying to get as much done as possible in the first few months, but it'll save you potential headaches and roadblocks in the weeks leading up to your big day.

8. Organize Your Wedding Materials

One of the most crucial things to do after getting engaged is to organize your wedding materials ASAP. Taylor suggests creating a designated email address for planning and vendor communication, as this will streamline your important conversations to one inbox. We also recommend downloading The Knot Wedding Planner app to keep everything in one place, from your registry to your wedding website and vendor list. If you're the type of person who operates best with a pen and paper, start a wedding binder to keep important documents, copies of contracts and receipts all in one place.

9. Set Your Budget

One of the best ways to set yourself up for wedding planning success is to set your budget early (and stick to it). Form a number based on what you and your partner can afford, and think about how you'll realistically pay for the event. Will you and your fiancé finance everything yourselves? If so, how? Do you anticipate having some financial help from family members? Approach these conversations with honest rationality, and do your best to stick to the number you come up with. "Remember that 'budget' isn't a dirty word," Taylor says. "Your dream wedding of any theme and aesthetic can be achieved on just about any budget with the right wedding planner at the helm. Sticking to your budget typically comes down to creativity, flexibility and the size of your guest list."

10. Start Drafting Your Guest List

Speaking of guest lists, the headcount for your event and the final budget go hand-in-hand. Having a rough or exact estimate of your guest count will help you choose the right venue for your big day, which factors into your overall spend. "Create a list of who you would like to participate in your day. Often, couples will start with a number like 100 and work [backward] to fill that. Couples should create a list of the people they want to witness and celebrate their union," suggests Sheavonne Harris, founder and wedding planner of Events by Sheavonne.

11. Choose Your Wedding Party Members

Ask yourself if you want a wedding party. Not everyone wants to go the traditional route for their wedding, and that's okay. (In fact, we encourage you to modernize tradition.) But if having a group of your close friends and family stand by you on your special day sounds like a blast, start choosing your VIPs. Write down what you imagine your wedding party to look like. Do you want a specific number of bridesmaids or groomsmen? Who do you think best fits each role and will take the responsibilities seriously? Is having an honor attendant a must? Think about all of those important questions and more before doing your wedding party proposals. You want this to be a pleasant experience, not one where people are confused because you didn't think it out thoroughly.

12. Start a Vision Board

Arguably one of the most fun parts of wedding planning is getting inspired. If you don't know what to do after getting engaged, start looking at social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok to get your creativity flowing. Gather your favorite ideas and curate a vision board to see the full scope of your wedding concept. This will also help your future vendors immensely when the time comes to bring your aesthetic to life.

13. Grab a Copy of The Knot Magazine

While you're in the vision boarding phase, we also recommend grabbing a copy of The Knot Magazine. Not only will you find interactive activities and planning exercises within the pages of our publication, you'll also discover inspiration and advice from real couples just like you.

14. Read Up on the Latest Wedding Trends

Our editors always have a finger on the pulse of what's new in the industry, and they work tirelessly to stay on top of the buzziest wedding trends. While there's no rule that says you must incorporate these into your big day (remember: individuality is key), it won't hurt to browse some of our comprehensive roundups. You never know where inspiration will strike.

15. Research Venues

With your wedding date and aesthetic in mind, you can start looking for venues. "Determine what wedding venue you'd like to host your celebration," Harris suggests. "Venues vary so much, and you want to choose one that suits your wedding style. Select at least three venues to tour. When meeting with a member of the venue team, be transparent about how you plan to use the venue. Ask all the questions; nothing is too small."

16. Build a Wedding Website

While making a wedding website isn't the most glamorous post-proposal planning task, it is one that will make your life so much easier. Customize your site to sync with your registry, manage RSVPs and answer potential FAQs. Having a comprehensive website is the best way to mitigate redundant texts and calls from loved ones leading up to the wedding day.

17. Research Desired Planners and Vendors

Unless you're DIY-ing your entire wedding, we urge you to look up professional planners and vendors to help make your dream a reality. You can ask your married friends or family members for recommendations, find out what crew was behind the wedding you love on social media or start by looking at top-rated vendors on The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Once you and your partner have a list of potential pros, set up consultations to see if they're the right match.

18. Plan an Engagement Party

Still wondering what to do after getting engaged? Consider an engagement party. While this step certainly isn't required, it is one we highly recommend. After all, you're only engaged once. Why not celebrate it?

19. Have Fun

Now that we've gone over what to do after getting engaged, there's just one thing left to reiterate: enjoy it! While planning a wedding can sometimes feel like a lot, remember to enjoy the little moments together and turn this into a fun experience. And as important as your wedding day is, don't lose sight of the fact that you're preparing for the rest of your lives together. That's what really matters.

Chapelle Johnson contributed to the reporting of this article.