After you've said "yes" to one of the biggest questions in your life, “Will you marry me?”, it's normal to feel ecstatic, relieved, and maybe even a little bit scared. You probably have a million questions running through your head about what comes next. My tip? Don’t stress! You have time to enjoy this entire process if you let yourself!

Here are some things to do to help you start planning your dream wedding:

01.

Give Yourself Time to Process the Fact that You’re Engaged!

After saying yes to the big question, giving yourself time to adjust to the news is important. It's a big life change, and it's normal to feel various emotions, from excitement and happiness to nerves and even sadness. Take a few days (or even weeks) to let the news sink in before moving into wedding planning mode. Once you've had a chance to process the news, there are a few things you can do to start planning for your future together.

02.

Call Your Parents and Close Friends

After you've said yes to marrying the love of your life, it's natural to want to share the news with your closest loved ones. So, the first thing on your list should be to call your parents and close friends. Not only will they be thrilled to hear the news, but they'll also want to hear all the details about how he proposed! As you share your story, you'll likely find yourself reliving the moment, and if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself tearing up with joy. Don’t forget to take some time to celebrate with your new fiancé. Whether you open a bottle of champagne or go out for dinner, take this opportunity to toast your future together.

03.

Choose a Date

The next thing to do after telling your friends and family the big news is to choose a date. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to pick a date that works for both of you (and your relatives if you want everyone to be able to attend). If you're set on getting married in the summer, but your partner wants to wait until winter, it's important to discuss why each of you wants to get married when you do. Once you've chosen a date that works for both of you, it's time to start planning the logistics of the wedding.

 04.

Talk About Your Budget

One of the first things you should do when planning a wedding is sit down with your partner and discuss your budget! Wedding costs can quickly add up, so it's important to know what you can afford before making any decisions. Once you've agreed on your budget, you can start planning your dream wedding without putting yourself into debt.

 05.

Make A Rough Draft Guest List

Another important task is creating a rough draft guest list. This probably seems like something you could do way later, but having an estimate of how many guests you plan to attend is crucial when picking a wedding venue. Not all places have the space to accommodate large guests lists or if you’re having a smaller, intimate wedding, then you don’t need to book somewhere that can hold 500 people.

 06.

Pick a Wedding Venue

One of the important things you'll need to do is choose a venue for the ceremony and reception. You may already have a venue if you're getting married in a church. However, if you're planning a more non-traditional wedding, you'll need to research to find the perfect place. Once you have a few venues in mind, reach out to see if they're available on your desired date and get a feel for their pricing. Get recommendations from friends, family, and trusted wedding resources, and start meeting with potential vendors to get quotes and compare services.

 07.

Book a Photographer and Videographer

(I’m a little biased on this one, but it is also true) Most photographers book 1-2 years in advance, so one of the most important things to do after you've said yes to your partner is to book a photographer and videographer. The last thing you want is to have blurry, poor-quality photos and videos of your special day. A professional photographer can capture all of the details and emotions of your wedding, from the bride walking down the aisle to the first dance as husband and wife.

The moment you get engaged is one of the most exciting times of your life. After the initial excitement has worn off, it is important to take some time to think about the next steps. Planning a wedding can be stressful, but remember that this is supposed to be one of the most memorable days of your life. Savor every moment, and don't forget to have fun.