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5 Do’s and Don’ts Right After Your Engagement
Congratulations! You’re engaged. As you bask in the glow, though, it hits you: You have a lot of work to do. Here are 5 do’s and don’ts now that you and your spouse-to-be are properly engaged.
1. DO get a manicure.
Let’s face it, you’ve been writing that #heputaringonit Instagram shot in your head for months, and everyone one you know is going to want to see the ring. Give it a good setting so you can show it off.
2. DON’T ask for too much planning advice.
This is your wedding, so make sure your plans reflect your own dreams and inspirations. “It’s great to ask friends and family for ideas and gather various opinions, but ultimately, your wedding and honeymoon need to be your own,” says Lindsey Epperly, founder of Epperly Travel, a luxury travel agency. “Simply because your friend loved that resort she got married at five years ago doesn’t mean it’ll impress you and your spouse-to-be.” After all, weddings are not one-size-fits-all and you deserve an event as unique as you.
3. DON’T ignore your budget.
Money can be a fraught subject, so the sooner you do this during the planning process, the better. You, your spouse-to-be and your families can to sit down together to chart out how much money each is contributing. Knowing your budget gives you the power to make your dreams a reality and avoid disappointment or financial hardship.
4. DO take some premarital counseling.
You and your spouse-to-be have gotten to know one another and fallen in love, but you’re about to face the biggest change of your lives. Premarital counseling will help you accentuate the positives that brought you together and clue you in to any potential problems — before they start.
5. DO choose vendors thoughtfully.
Sarah Chancey, founder of Chancey Charm Weddings, a wedding planning company with 13 locations across the U.S., offers some advice as you begin selecting your vendors.
“When interviewing any vendor, ask how many events they typically serve each weekend,” she says. “An overworked vendor means they might be spreading themselves too thin and your wedding will get less attention.”