UTTERLY ENGAGED // You're Engaged, NOW WHAT?

I am so excited to share a little bit of my/our journey through this exciting time with you! We’re totally over the moon at the moment and I am sure, if you’re in this boat with me, you are too!!

Firstly, Congratulations! You're Engaged!!! Woohoo!

So… now what?

As someone who has worked in the wedding and fashion industries for quite a few years I have planned countless photoshoots, assembling vendors, locations, models, moodboards and timelines. How hard can it be? Swap models for Besties and throw in some (real) food and a lot of champagne, Right??!
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Well to be honest, I’m totally overwhelmed! Which is why I’ll be enlisting the advice and help of some incredible industry friends, previous brides and wise words from Google! Add in a handy little wedding planning diary, aptly named “Count Down To WIFE LIFE” and I think I’ve got it in the bag, or church!!

I cannot wait to share each step of my adventures with you and hopefully shed some light whilst we navigate the nuptial planning together!

So the very first thing to do?
​Announce your engagement!


THE ANNOUNCEMENT

We got engaged in Melbourne, which is interstate from our home and our friends. Although we would have liked to share the news in person, the both of us just couldn’t wait to tell our parents (and the world) that we were/are getting married! As Rob had asked both my parents for permission and sought advice from my brothers my family knew it was going to happen at some point, as did Robs parents. So we knew they would be hanging by the phone whilst we were in Melbourne. We called our family a few hours after it all  happened  and took the following morning to call our close friends and other family to let them know we were engaged. The next part was making it “Facebook Official” (if its not on FB it didn’t happen! Hahaha!)
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Whilst we were in Melbourne we have the perfect opportunity to go and explore the city together and capture those feelings and emotions the following day. We spent some time in the park opposite our hotel and captured some photos that I will cherish forever! These images make me giggle, cry and have my heart singing. The best place to start for engagement announcement inspo is definitely Pinterest! You can find my fabulous board of engaged inspo right HERE!
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After you have announced that he put a ring on it there is a lot of excitement and so much love going around. Enjoy it! Take this time to bathe in the love and joy and overwhelming feeling that there is now something really sparkly that follows you wherever you go.
Pretty much straight after our announcement I felt like 10,000 people were asking if we had set a date! I was like “I’ve known I will be getting married for about 5 minutes!” not to mention it’s hard to even keep your head on straight with so much excitement and sparkle distracting you! 
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via GIPHY

​Don't forget to make time for each other to talk about how excited you are and reminisce on memories from your relationship and fun times you have had. Really focus on being present with each other and hold onto these memories in your memory bank for when it starts to feel overwhelming during the planning process.

Then when the excitement starts to wear down (for others, but not for you!) then the real adventure begins, THE PLANNING!!!!

THE WINNING SHOT
(Our Engagement Announcement)

The next steps are to get yourself ORGANISED!

You'll need a fantastic checklist and we have put one together for you! Its absolutely bursting with detail so its not for the faint hearted but it will have you set on your journey! 
Join our Atelier Brides to access our free downloads HERE!

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- Tips & Tricks-
Take the planning process slow to begin with. Have a little chat to your Groom-To-Be about what he wants on his wedding day. Does he have any ideas about what he might like to have or do? Does he have a preference on a church or a garden?  Does he have any family traditions you may need to take into consideration? Remember it's about him too!

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-From Our Wedding Friends-

Q: 
​As a bride planning the wedding for her and her husband to be, What are some great jobs to give/delegate to the Groom?
A's: 
@IVYANDBLEUEVENTS:  "We think the groom should be as involved as they like from venue selection to styling we are starting to see a trend in Grooms playing a much more active approach in the whole wedding process."

@KAITLINMAREEPHOTOGRAPHY:  "Get him involved with food, alcohol, music, suit, wedding colours. Also the BUDGET."

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COMING UP NEXT:: Planning The Engagement Photoshoot!