Just Engaged? A Wedding Planner’s Honest Guide to What to Do Next

Bella Olah Weddings
Jan 2
4 min read

Diaries of a Wedding Planner: The First Few Weeks After Getting Engaged

Diaries Of A Wedding Planner

January

Just Engaged? Take a Breath. This Is the Fun Part!

First of all… congratulations 🤍If you’ve just got engaged over Christmas or you’re expecting a Valentine’s Day proposal - welcome to engagement season.

That magical “yes” moment is followed by champagne, happy tears, phone calls to family… and then suddenly:

“So when’s the date?”

“Have you picked a venue yet?”

“How many guests?”

“Is it abroad?”

And before you’ve even enjoyed being engaged, it can all feel a bit… a lot.

As a wedding planner, I see this moment all the time - and I promise you, everything you’re feeling is completely normal. This first entry in my Diaries of a Wedding Planner series is all about what to do right after getting engaged, without overwhelm.

1. When Everyone Asks “So… When’s the Wedding?”

Let’s start here, because this catches almost every newly engaged couple off guard.

You do not owe anyone answers yet.

If you’re feeling pressured or awkward, here are a few graceful, polite responses that set boundaries without sounding blunt:

“We’re just enjoying being engaged right now — planning will come soon.”
“We have some ideas, but nothing set yet.”
“We’re taking a little time to do it properly.”
“We’re early in the process, but we’ll share when we know more.”

✨ Wedding planner tip: The earlier you practise gentle boundaries, the easier the rest of the planning journey becomes.

Avoiding Overwhelm: Pause Before You Plan

One of the biggest mistakes I see couples make is diving into booking before understanding what they actually want.

Before Instagram, Pinterest, venues, or budgets - do this first:

Buy (or download) a wedding planner book
Read it cover to cover
Learn the order things should happen.

This gives you clarity, confidence, and a sense of control - and it stops you from making rushed decisions you might regret later.

The Fun Part: Inspiration Without Pressure

Now for the part everyone loves 💫

Instagram and Pinterest are amazing tools - if you use them intentionally.

Instead of saving everything:

Notice what keeps catching your eye
Look for patterns (colours, moods, styles)
Start a mood board, not a full wedding plan

Think:

Romantic or modern?
Editorial or relaxed?
Minimal or abundant?

✨ Wedding planner insight:You don’t need a fully formed vision yet - just a feeling.

4. Reach Out to a Wedding Planner Early (Yes, Really)

Many couples think wedding planners come after the venue is booked - but this is actually where a planner adds the most value.

A full-service wedding planner can:

Help you define priorities
Guide realistic budgets
Recommend venues that actually fit your vision
Save you time, stress, and costly mistakes

Even an initial conversation can completely change how calm and confident you feel moving forward.

5. Understanding Budgets (Before Booking Anything)

Budget conversations aren’t glamorous - but they are essential.

Before you fall in love with venues or suppliers:

Discuss what you’re comfortable spending
Decide what matters most (guest count, location, styling, experience)
Leave contingency (trust me on this one)

✨ Behind the scenes truth: Most wedding stress comes from budget misunderstandings - not the wedding itself.

Rushpool Hall, Yorkshire, Wedding Set Up

6. Venues: The Anchor of Your Wedding

Once you’ve:

Enjoyed being engaged
Found inspiration
Understood budgets
Spoken to a planner

Then - and only then - it’s time to look at venues.

Your venue influences:

Date
Guest count
Budget
Styling
Overall atmosphere

Choosing the right one sets the tone for everything that follows.

Image by: Anna Beth Wedding Photography

Final Thoughts from a Wedding Planner

Being engaged is a once-in-a-lifetime season.You don’t need to have everything figured out in the first few weeks - or even months.

If you want guidance, calm reassurance, and a beautifully planned wedding that reflects you, this is exactly where full wedding planning support makes all the difference.

At Bella Olah Weddings, I work closely with couples from the very beginning - turning excitement into clarity, and ideas into a seamless, stress-free celebration.

✨ If you’ve just got engaged and don’t know where to start, I’d love to help.

Image by: Anna Beth Wedding Photography

Ready to Turn “Just Engaged” Into a Calm, Confident Plan?

If you’re feeling excited but slightly overwhelmed - you’re exactly where you should be.

At Bella Olah Weddings, I specialise in full wedding planning for couples who want:

Clear guidance from the very beginning
Thoughtful decisions (without pressure)
A wedding that feels intentional, beautiful, and so you
Less stress, more joy throughout the process

Whether you’ve just said yes or you’re still figuring out where to start, having a wedding planner by your side early can completely transform your experience.

✨ If you’d like expert support from engagement to “I do”, I’d love to hear from you.

Submit your enquiry - bella@bellaolah.com or visit my full wedding planning page for further information.