Congratulations! You’re engaged and it’s time to start planning your wedding. As Jackson Hole wedding photographers we have been to our fair share of weddings and elopements, we know it can be a lot of work! According to an American Wedding Study survey, the average American wedding costs $32,641. And that doesn’t include some of the more popular expenses like engagement rings and honeymoons. There’s no doubt about it – weddings are expensive! There are ways to save money while still enjoying your special day. Here is my list of 5 essential things to do after you get engaged, before you start all the wedding planning madness!

Spend Time Together – Enjoy Being Engaged

After you say yes to the person of your dreams, take time for the two of you! Being engaged is such a special time and deserves to be enjoyed. You’ve been waiting for this moment all your life. Now you can finally relax and be happy with the person that makes you happiest. Here are some things that we suggest:

• First, plan a date night or weekend away. Go out on dates together and enjoy being engaged.
• Consider, celebrating with friends and family. Have fun celebrating your engagement with those closest to you. Celebrate this time together and remember why you chose one another.

Decide on a Wedding Budget

While this may not be the most exciting conversation, it is one of the most important. Throughout the wedding planning process expenses will add up quick, so establish a budget early on. Make it a fun time together with your favorite take out, and dream big. What is most important to the both of you? Write down your dreams for your big day. Together work through what is most important and work it into your budget! Our biggest piece of advice is to choose 3 things that are most important to you both, and splurge on those. This helps you not break the bank, and truly let the rest fall to the wayside.

Create your Guest List – Essential Things to do After You Get Engaged

Next, consider who you want surrounding you both when you say I do. Create your ideal guest list. I don’t think you should go through and get into the nitty gritty of it, but get a general idea. This can quickly turn into a long list, you can always narrow it down later! The first step is to make sure that all of your family members and friends are included in the process.

As far as deciding who else gets an invite goes, think about those people whom you would like at the wedding. Oftentimes we think we need to invite everyone we know, however, more guests equals a higher budget!

Head to Pinterest for Inspiration!

Pinterest is a great place to find ideas for your wedding. You can look at other people’s weddings and get inspiration for the things you want. If Pinterest isn’t your jam, consider checking out our other galleries for more inspiration for your Jackson Hole wedding!

Book your Vendors – Essential Things to do After You Get Engaged

Next on your list of essential things to do after you get engaged, book your photographer and florist and caterer. One of the best ways to ensure that you have great pictures from your big day is by booking your photographer early. Photographers book out early, so it’s crucial to book yours as soon as you have a wedding date or season in mind!

Book your florist and caterer. Once you’ve found someone who can do what needs doing at a price point that works for both of you, book them right away! This will prevent any last-minute scrambling if something falls through or gets too expensive due to demand or weather issues.

Congratulations on your engagement! We hope that this has inspired you with some ideas for what to do next. Of course, there are many more things to consider as well. If you need help planning your big day, reach out here!