Congratulations on your engagement! I always love the Holidays, for many reasons. I mean, cookies, cocktails, traditions and time with family are always top on my priority list this time of year. But I also love it because over 40% of engagements happen. How incredible! How magical. That holiday spirit is the ultimate inspire-er of confessions of true love and life-long commitments to your best friend. #goosebumps

So, now you’re engaged! Whew. The excitement is high. The ring is heavy and sparkly on your finger. But what do do next?

I always recommend to any newly engaged couples to enjoy the moment first. Let it set in. Soak up all the goodness, perma-smiles and kiss the heck out of your fiancé. There will be plenty of time to dive right into the planning, so enjoy this time. And once you’ve marveled in all the love, and your ready to get moving I highly suggest thinking about a couple things:

1. Your Budget. It’s awful, we get it. No one likes to talk about money. But you can’t really move forward or make any decisions until you know what you’re working with #amiright? Once you know who’s contributing and how much then you can start planning with a plan on what you can commit to spending for your wedding. Read more about budgeting here.
2. If you’re considering a destination wedding, really make sure you’re considering it with an open mind and consideration for what you want to accomplish. Is it important to include your grandparents (who might have some health concerns, or mobility issues? Would it be hard for them to come up to altitude and walk on uneven ground to your ceremony on a mountainside?), or other family and friends that can’t afford to travel? Here are some other things worth considering before settling on whether you’d like to plan a destination wedding.
3. Wedding planner. What to do….not sure? Do you need one? Well, of course we’re biased, but maybe reading this will change your mind too.

Congratulations again on your engagement. And wed love to support you while you’re planning your #adventurouswedding in Colorado. Can’t wait to hear from you soon.

XO

E