Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Fashion
    • My Style
      • Spring Style
      • Summer Style
      • Fall Style
      • Winter Style
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Russia
      • Singapore
      • Turkey
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Turkey
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Caribbean
      • Central America
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Lily Harper
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • My Wedding
    • Sparkle Sessions

12 Things to Do as Soon as You Get Engaged

07/16/20 | wedding, wedding planning

Sparkles and Shoes - Engagement Ring from J Birnbach Jewelers in London

I have now been officially engaged for a bit over a month and now am in full swing wedding planning mode.  We have chosen a date and  while the s is still fresh I wanted to share my recommendations on the best things to down you first get engaged while it is still fresh in my mind (some of which I did and some of which I wish I had known on day one):

  1. Keep it Under Wraps  – I waited for days before posting on social media and this is something I could not suggest strongly enough.  Call your parents, call your siblings and then get in touch with your close family and close friends.  From my perspective everyone important to you should hear it from you before they see it on Facebook. 
  2. Get a Manicure – You are going to be staring at your left hand more than you ever have, plus dozens of people will ask for photos (or if you get engaged outside of COVID, tons of people will ask to see your hand in real life) and pretty nails will set off that new piece of bling. 
  3. Insure the Ring  – While at this moment you can not think of taking it off, you will want to make sure you insure your engagement ring against accidental damage, loss and / or theft. And if it does not fit quite right, make sure you get that sorted too! 
  4. Discuss Wedding Details – Before you get too far into planning making sure you and your fiancé are on the same page regarding key elements such as  budget, size, location, and religious-ness will save you stress down the line. 
  5. Think about a Date – It is going to be one of the most common questions you will get and once you know your location and general time line, you can work backwards.
  6. Gather Inspiration – Between now and your wedding there will be nearly a hundred decisions you will have to make from a dress and decor to makeup and arrangements and I would suggest Pinterest as a great place to start. 
  7. Lock Down the Big Five – Once you have a date and a location sorting out the five elements that have the longest lead time are (1) the venue, including both the ceremony and reception (2) your food  and/or catering (3) looking into photographers – they book up fast (4) research a florist and (5) entertainment, starting with the band or DJ. 
  8. Don’t Listen to all of the Advice – As soon as you have a ring on your hand unsolicited advice come at your from every angle, some will be helpful and some will make you want to clamp your hands over your ears – take it with a grain of salt and move on.
  9. Chose the Wedding Party – You have likely been thinking about this for a while but when you decide on the size with your fiancé think about who you want standing next to your on your big day. 
  10. Book Your Engagement Photos – Whether you have a surprise shot or a selfie from the moment you got engaged booking photos with a professional photographer helps put you in a great mood and gives you a ton of content for your save the dates, wedding website, and more. You can do these with your wedding photographer (often it is part of package) or someone else. 
  11. Plan an Engagement Party – Celebrating your great news with friends and family is so exciting and putting together an engagement party also helps you get started on the guest list. 
  12. Celebrate, Just You Two – While a big party will be amazing you should also make sure you have some time to celebrate just the two of you!

Hopefully you find these suggestions helpful and if you have any other suggestions please drop them in the comments below! 

Signature

Subscribe

« I am a Sparkling Water Addict
White Eyelet Embroidery Dress »

Related Posts

  • Blooming Seaside Elegance at Blush BotanicalsInspirational Flower Arches
  • Chairs at Tokeneke Club for the Going WeddingA Beautiful Beach Wedding
  • Something Blue - Etsy Navy Velvet Hexagon Engagement Ring BoxLooking for my Something Blue
  • Wedding Hair and Makeup Inspiration with a HeadbandInspiration for My Wedding Hair and Makeup

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    July 19, 2020 at 7:45 am

    I have a few clients who just got engaged. Sending this to them right now and I know they will really appreciate it.

    You are always so organized!

  2. Loni says

    July 18, 2020 at 6:54 am

    My daughter will hopefully be engaged shortly, sending this to her right now and also want her to follow your blog.

    I never know what fun topic you will be exploring when i open your blog.

  3. Missy says

    July 17, 2020 at 9:52 am

    I hope to use this one day…hint hint, should I send it to my boyfriend so that he will get the message.

    Any suggestions on how to get the boyfriend to get off of his but and make it happen?

  4. Margo says

    July 17, 2020 at 8:58 am

    Several friends daughters just go engaged so going to send this to them…

    Great checklist and I am sure it will really help them all!

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Newsletter

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon

Anthropologie

J. Crew

Minted 

Sephora

Target

Walmart

Zappos

Archives

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework