Just Engaged? Here’s What to Do (and What Not to Stress About!)

Congratulations! If you’re reading this with a sparkling new ring on your finger … wow, what a moment. Whether your proposal was a total surprise or beautifully anticipated, there’s nothing quite like the glow of those first few days. Before you dive into Pinterest boards or start booking venues, let’s take a breath and enjoy the start of your wedding journey.

Step One: Slow Down and Savour It

The first thing to do is exactly what you’re probably itching to skip . . . . pause. Take a moment to enjoy being engaged. Celebrate together and let the reality sink in.

Ask yourselves: “How do we want this wedding journey to feel?” Calm and relaxed? Playful and joyful? Modern and minimal? Your answer will guide every decision you make, from the venue to your ceremony style.

Step Two: Dream Before You Plan

Right now, decisions like guest lists, flowers, or colour schemes can wait. Instead, dream. What kind of ceremony do you imagine? Picture it in your mind’s eye: outdoors under twinkling lights, in a cosy barn, or somewhere completely unique. Think about what matters most to you: intimacy, laughter, heartfelt rituals, or perhaps a mix of all three.

This dreaming phase is essential. It helps you uncover the values and moments you want to shine in your wedding ceremony before logistics and planning start to crowd your vision.

Step Three: Think About Your Ceremony Early

The ceremony is the heart of your day, and deciding who will lead it is crucial. You might have heard of a registrar, a legal requirement in a civil wedding, but a celebrant? That’s where the magic begins.

A celebrant-led ceremony isn’t just about legality; it’s about storytelling. A celebrant takes the time to understand you, your love story, your personalities, your quirks and shapes a ceremony that feels warm, joyful, and unmistakably yours. Unlike a standard registrar ceremony, you get the freedom to:

• Write your own vows or include personalised readings

• Choose the structure, tone, and flow of the ceremony

• Include rituals that matter to you, from handfastings to unique symbolic gestures

• Truly reflect your personalities, so guests leave feeling like they’ve witnessed something special

If you’re curious about the differences, my blog ‘Celebrant vs Registrar’ dives into all the details. And a friendly tip: celebrants book quickly after the festive season, so early conversations can save stress later.

Step Four: Enjoy the Glow

These first days of engagement only happen once. Take time to soak up the joy, the excitement, and even the small moments of calm. Share it with friends and family, laugh, hug, and let yourselves imagine a day that truly reflects you without rushing into decisions that can come later.

Remember, the start of your wedding journey should feel like a celebration in itself. Let it be joyful, relaxed, and personal.

Get in Touch

If you’d love a ceremony that feels warm, joyful and unmistakably ‘you’, I’m here whenever you're ready for a chat. You can book a no-obligation call with me here.

Check out my other blog posts here.

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