9 Things to Do Right After You Say “Yes”
BY GRIT CITY WEDDINGS
Just Engaged? Take a Breath and Start Here.
You’re engaged.
Your phone is buzzing. Your ring hand feels weird. Everyone suddenly has opinions.
Before you fall down a Pinterest rabbit hole or panic-Google “average wedding cost,” pause for a second. You don’t need to have it all figured out today. What you do need is a solid starting point.
Here are 9 intentional, grounding steps to take right after you say yes - no overwhelm required.
1. Celebrate the Hell Out of This Moment
This season is fleeting. Don’t skip it.
Call each other “fiancé” an embarrassing number of times. Take an absurd amount of photos of your hand with that sparkly thing on your finger. Pop champagne or crack a beer. Sit on the couch and just stare at each other like, holy sh*t, we’re doing this.
Planning can wait. This moment can’t.
2. Tell Your Inner Circle Before Instagram
Yes, you’re excited. Yes, you may want to shout the exciting news from the roof tops.
But trust us - before posting on social media, a quick phone call, FaceTime, or in-person moment with your closest people goes a long way.
It makes parents, grandparents, and chosen family feel included before the algorithm does. That matters more than likes.
3. Insure the Ring (Future You Will Be Grateful)
Not sexy. Very necessary.
Whether it’s added to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance or insured separately, do this ASAP. Rings get lost, damaged, and stolen - especially during engagement season when you’re traveling, showing it off, and living your life.
Five minutes now for peace of mind later.
4. Choose a Season
You don’t need an exact date on the calendar — but you do need a general direction.
Ask yourselves:
Do we want spring, summer, fall, or winter?
Are there any non-negotiables (school schedules, family travel, work commitments)?
Are we flexible or date-specific?
This one decision will guide venue availability, vendor options, and budget expectations.
5. Talk Money Early — Then Get Organized
This is the unglamorous backbone of everything.
Sit down together and talk about:
What you can realistically spend
Who (if anyone) is contributing
What matters most to you (guest experience, food, photos, vibe)
Then get organized - Google Drive, a planning app like Plannerd, or a simple spreadsheet at least to start. Clarity here prevents stress later.
6. Build a Rough Guest List
Not the final list. Not the seating chart. Just a starting point.
Why it matters:
Venues care about capacity
Catering costs are guest-count dependent
Your budget stretches (or snaps) based on this number
Break it into categories: must-haves, would-likes, and “we’ll see.” You can refine later.
7. Hire a Wedding Planner Early (Yes, Really)
This is where we gently but firmly say: the earlier, the better.
A planner isn’t just for timelines and logistics - they help you:
Make smarter decisions faster
Avoid costly mistakes
Navigate family dynamics
Actually enjoy being engaged
Whether you need full-service planning or wedding management, having a pro in your corner changes everything.
You can check out our planning packages here: https://www.gritcityweddings.com/services
8. Start Touring Venues
Venues book fast. Like… shockingly fast.
Once you know your budget range and rough guest count, start scheduling tours. Your venue sets the tone for your entire day - from aesthetic to logistics to which vendors you’ll need.
When you find “the one,” trust your gut and lock it in.
9. Plan an Engagement Party (Optional, But Fun)
No pressure. Just connection.
This doesn’t have to be fancy or formal.
A backyard hang, a brewery meetup, a casual dinner - it’s just about celebrating with the people who love you and kicking off this season with joy.
One Last Thing
You don’t need to do all of this at once.
You don’t need to have answers to every question.
And you definitely don’t need to compare your engagement to anyone else’s.
Take it step by step. Stay grounded. And remember: the goal isn’t a perfect wedding - it’s a meaningful one.
And if you want support, guidance, and someone to walk this road with you?
You don’t have to do it alone.
