Falling in Love: The Season for Engagements

Ah. Fall is finally here. The cool breeze, the colorful leaves on the ground, the pumpkin spice lattes, and the coziness of the season are upon us.  It’s truly one of the best times of the year! I’m inclined to think that a lot of other people think so too, because if you haven’t noticed already (Facebook relationship statuses  changing like crazy!), a lot of couples are getting engaged! Hurrah for love! But here comes the fun (Okay,  okay…the slightly hard) part: Planning your wedding.  It may feel overwhelming at first, but here are a few tips to help you relax

So, for all you lovebirds out there who just put a ring on it, here are

5 tips for the newly engaged couple. 

1. Tell your favorite/important people about it FIRST. There is nothing worse than finding out from social media that someone close to you got engaged and didn’t care to tell you before they announced it to the entire world. I’m talking about your grandma, your aunt Susie, your best friend Jill and basically anyone who you would consider “close”.  These people are special to you and you’re special to them! Give them the courtesy of letting them in on the secret. 

2. Set aside some time each week to become closer as a couple and to avoid anything wedding. Sure you may have 1,001 items on your todo list, but at the end of that carefully planned wedding is a marriage, and that doesn’t end at sunset! Take time to nurture your relationship during your engagement. Weddingness can wait for an hour or two as you both enjoy time spent with one another. The wedding is only like 0.001% of your life together. Your relationship and time spent together is worth so much more than a single day. 

3. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.  Some, not all, but some couples want to put off wedding planning for a couple of months to just enjoy their engagement. I’m all about enjoying that sweet time & taking it easy, BUT your dream venues, photographers, caterers, musicians, and guests will continue to fill their schedules. Take some time at the beginning of your engagement to make the big decisions so that you can enjoy the rest of your engagement without running around like a crazy person a month out from their wedding!

4.  Don’t wait to get your engagement pictures taken. That early engagement glow only lasts so long, and it is awesome to capture couples in their newly developed relationship status! Couples who go ahead with engagement pictures rather than waiting for a specific season tend to have much more natural pictures. The only thing I can attribute this to is the fact that they are so giddy, full of joy, and on cloud nine!

5. Take care of yourselves. Weddings tend to bring out the best and the worst in people. Stress and drama almost always have a way of creeping their way in as you prepare for your special day. Just remember, it’s unnecessary. Don’t let it rain on your parade! Stress can bring us down physically, mentally, and emotionally and to be quite honest: You don’t need that! Remember that the day isn’t about pleasing everyone else, and ultimately the day is about two people committing their lives to one another. Stress-less, it’ll do you good. 

So there you go! 5 tips to keep in mind as you start your wonderful journey towards marriage!  In the mean time, cuddle up close, enjoy a warm coffee, and admire that new ring on your finger.