You’re Engaged! Here’s What to Do First (Austin Wedding Edition)

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First of all — congratulations! 🎉 

 If you’re reading this, you probably can’t stop staring at your ring, replaying the proposal, and dreaming about what comes next. Whether it happened under twinkling lights on South Congress or out in the Hill Country with your closest people.  This is such a fun, joy-filled season. 

But once the excitement settles, most couples have the same thought: 

“Where do we even start?” 

We get it. Between timelines, budgets, and a thousand Pinterest ideas, it can feel overwhelming fast. So, let’s slow things down. As a husband-and-wife wedding planner and photographer team here in Central Texas, we’ve been there before, and have walked other couples through it, and we promise, it doesn’t have to be stressful. 

Here’s what we recommend as your first few steps after saying “yes.” 

Step 1: Soak It In 

Seriously, before you do anything, take a few days (or weeks!) to just enjoy being engaged. Maybe go out for dinner, call your family, pop some champagne, and take some engagement photos. Do something that marks this moment before you dive into planning mode. It’ll all start moving fast soon enough, so savor this little pause. 

💡 Local tip: There are restaurants in and around downtown that offer free dessert, or even a glass of champagne if you tell them you’re celebrating an engagement. Which can make the moment feel much more special. 

Step 2: Talk About Your Big Picture 

Before you start touring venues or ordering decor, spend an evening talking through the big stuff: budget, guest count, and priorities. 

Think of it like this: your budget is the foundation; your guest list sets the size, and your priorities decide where to splurge and where to save. These three things will guide everything else and they’ll help you find vendors who are the right fit from the start. 

Step 3: Lock In a Venue (and Date!) 

In the Austin and Hill Country area, venues book up fast, especially for fall and spring weddings. Once you know your budget, start browsing spaces that fit your vibe.  

Are you drawn to rustic outdoor settings? Or maybe something modern and downtown? 

💡 Local tip: When you find “the one,” double-check that it has a solid indoor or covered option (because Texas weather likes to keep us on our toes). 

Once your venue and date are secured, the rest starts falling into place. 

Step 4: Find Your Vision 

Once you have your big pieces in place, let yourself play. Make a Pinterest board. Save photos that feel like you. Don’t overthink colors or themes yet, just explore. 

  The best weddings always feel personal, not “perfect.” Whether that’s a candlelit barn or a modern rooftop, your day should feel like your story. 

Step 5: Build Your Vendor Team 

This is where things start getting real and fun! Your venue and date open the door to booking your vendor dream team:  your planner or coordinator (👋 that’s us!), photographer, caterer, florist, and DJ or band. 

Working with local vendors is a game-changer. We know the venues, the quirks of Texas weather, and the hidden gems that out-of-town couples might miss. And since we all collaborate regularly, your day runs so much smoother. 

Step 6: Don’t Wait Too Long to Chat with a Planner 

Even if you’re not ready to book a full-service planner, having a conversation early can save you a ton of time (and stress) later. 

We love meeting couples at this stage, helping them figure out what kind of support they actually need. Maybe you just want a day-of coordinator to manage the logistics, or maybe you’re looking for full-service guidance from start to finish. Either way, a quick consultation can give you direction and confidence before you start making big decisions. 

You’ve Got This and We’d Love to Help 

The truth is, wedding planning should feel exciting, not exhausting.  If you’re recently engaged and ready to start planning your Austin wedding, or even if you’re just gathering ideas, we’d love to chat. 

👉 Schedule a free consultation or explore our planning services. 

Here’s to this incredible new chapter and to planning a wedding that feels exactly like you. 💛