How to Prepare for Engagement Season
What to do and when. It’s more than just having your nails done.
Did you know that 40% of all marriage proposals occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day? Engagement season is almost here and SunQuest Beach Weddings is here to help you prepare. You can expect your timeline to soon be filled with engagement announcements. Are you ready for it? If you’re expecting to join the 2.2 million couples saying “I Do!” in 2021 or 2022, this one is for you.
Do’s & Dont’s
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of engagement season, especially when you know that it may be coming soon. Our advice – enjoy this time! While it’s completely fine to get a jump start on following your favorite vendors on Instagram, there are a few things that you should avoid before you actually become engaged.
DO: Join a Wedding Newsletter
Sign up for a Wedding Newsletter to be delivered to your inbox once a week. Our favorites: The Destin Wedding Newsletter delivers Destin specific wedding trends and updates to your inbox. We also love Hope Lavine’s newsletter, detailing three of her favorite wedding news stories and top trends. You’ll have access to the latest wedding news and updates at your fingertips!
DON’T: Go Dress Shopping
Finding “THE” dress is something that every bride dreams of. But, it’s not something that you should do before at least securing a venue. So much goes into selecting the perfect dress, such as the venue, time of year, and overall vibe. It would be awkward to buy a ballroom gown when you later decide to host your nuptials on a farm. Instead, we suggest pining a few dress inspiration photos to your Pinterest Board. Once the date and venue are selected, you’re free to go dress shopping!
DO: Follow Your Favorite Pros
It’s no secret that the wedding industry’s Instagram pages have the most beautiful curation of content. It’s easy to get lost in the posts of fall tablescapes, summer blooms, and dramatic floral installations. Go ahead and follow your favorite wedding pro’s on Facebook and Instagram. You’ll get a better idea of their personality and whether or not they fit your wedding needs down the line. Planning a destination wedding? Be sure to look for local wedding professionals who know the lay of the land better than you might. Our favorite pros (besides ourselves, hi!) to follow are Cocktails & Details, Milestones Studios, and Minted Weddings.
DON’T: Build a Bridal Party
Asking your favorite people to stand next to you on your wedding day can be a very exciting time – for you and for them! But, we encourage you to hold off on building your bridal party for a while. We know that at the mention of a ring, those closest to you start to ask who you’ll ask to stand beside you on your big day. Politely shrug it off until you have time to figure out a few details first.
How COVID-19 will affect Engagement Season
The COVID-19 pandemic has uprooted so many plans when it comes to wedding planning. Many 2020 couples opted to postpone to 2021 and 2022, which means that many highly sought after dates might already be booked. Now, more than ever, it’s important to book your favorite vendors sooner rather than later. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than spending months getting a deposit together to find out that your desired date is no longer available. In light of COVID-19, many wedding venues and planners are offering flexible payment plans. Odds are, your favorite vendors want to work with you too! Don’t be afraid to ask to negotiate.
How to Find the Perfect Vendor Team
You can’t plan your wedding alone. Finding the perfect team of professional vendors is a must – especially if you’re planning a destination wedding. We reccommend searching for your venue and planner first. The Knot and Wedding Wire are great resources to start with. Be sure to read the reviews and look at the vendor’s website and social media for examples of past work. Once you secure one of these, the venue and a wedding planner, ask your wedding pro for reccommendations. Only your wedding planner can tell you who’s cakes are as tasty as they are beautiful. And venues can tell you which photographer captures the light the best in their space. Think of your wedding vendors as your own personal team of Avengers. Each one of them brings a different talent to bring your day to life.
You’re Engaged! What Now?
Congratulations! First things first – call your parents. Most couples choose to stay off social media while they tell their close family and friends first. Next? Let the planning begin! Instead of starting with a date, start with a desired time of year. This will avoid dissapointment down the road when you find the perfect venue only to find out that your date is unavailable. Next, hire a planner. Your wedding planner will assist you in booking a venue, choosing a catering package, and desiging your event from top to bottom. Hiring a wedding planner who will keep you on track and details in place is important. Especially when planning a destination wedding, it’s crucial to have someone on the ground at the location who knows what works best, who to call when things go wrong, and how to make sure that you excel on your wedding day.