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The top 5 things to do after getting engaged

by Rebekah · Leave a Comment

After saying “YES!!” to the love of your life, sharing the news with all of your family + friends, and posting that perfect photo on social media showcasing your stunning ring, the reality of planning a wedding starts to hit. And a lot of the time, that reality leaves brides reeling a little bit, not sure where they should begin. So today, I am sharing my top 5 things that I recommend you do right after you get engaged.

1. Decide on a budget.
Your budget will dictate just about everything you do, and every vendor that you book. Oftentimes, parents will help with the cost of the rehearsal and wedding, so make sure to chat with both your parents and almost-in-laws to see what might be covered by them.

2. Find your venue.
Your venue is going to set the tone for the whole wedding. Are you wanting a rustic, country feeling wedding? Look into some of the barn venues near you! Are you hoping for an elegant wedding? A fancy hotel might be just the thing for you. Don’t forget that state parks are also options for weddings or elopements!

3. Find your photographer.
The photographer will play a big role in the look and feel of your wedding, especially when it’s all said and done and all you have left from your months of planning are your wedding photos. You’ll want to talk with your fiance and decide the style of photography you want…do you want dark + moody photos, or light + airy photos? Do you want elegant + posed photos, or more relaxed + unposed photos, or a mixture of both? Looking through photographers portfolios and requesting to see a full gallery from a wedding day will help you know what you would be getting, should you hire them.

4. Pick your date.
Unless you have a specific date you know you want to get married on (mine is my grandparent’s anniversary), you probably have some flexibility when it comes to dates. But if you’ve found a venue or a photographer that you just have to have, their availability may help you decide on a wedding date. Venues and vendors can start booking a year (or even more!) out, so if you’re looking at a short engagement, make sure to contact your ideal vendors as soon as possible.  Another thing to consider is a Sunday or a weekday weddings. Oftentimes, vendors will give discounts for weekday weddings, so keep that in mind as you’re looking at dates and contacting vendors!

5. Research other vendors.
Now that you’ve got your budget, your venue, your photographer, and your date, it’s time to start chatting with all the other vendors who will play a part in your wedding! The planner, the florist, the caterers, the officiant, the HMUA…and the list goes on! A good way to find some of these vendors is to chat with your photographer or friends who have gotten married recently to see if they have any recommendations.

Happy planning!

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Follow that link in my bio and let’s create a pl Follow that link in my bio and let’s create a plan for the adventure session of your dreams! 🏔️🫶🏻
happy #goldenretrieverday to my girl. 🧡 just a happy #goldenretrieverday to my girl. 🧡

just a few of my favorite moments from the past 11+ years. praying desperately that we can make it to 12. 🫶🏻

(also swipe to the end for the day I brought her home. 🥹😭)
Alright, so you decided not to elope…but you sti Alright, so you decided not to elope…but you still desperately want epic wedding day portraits on a beach or in the woods or on a mountain.

Well, there’s an easy solution for that!

Simply book a day-after adventure session.

(I know, I know, that’s technically not the day of your wedding, but it’s close enough to count. ;))

So, the day after your wedding, the 3 of us (you, your new spouse, and me) will go on an adventure…and it can be as wild or as tame as you want!

Want to hike a few miles into an epic viewpoint and then change into your wedding clothes? HECK YEAH let’s do it.

Want to just go for a sweet stroll on the beach? HECK YEAH let’s do it.

No matter what “adventure” means to you, if you want epic wedding portraits, I’ve got you covered with a day-after adventure session.

Follow the link in my bio to inquire now. 🫶🏻
It is *nearly* impossible to create light & airy & It is *nearly* impossible to create light & airy & romantic images if the subject is wearing dark clothing or bright colors or bold patterns.

Will the photos still be beautiful? Sure!

But they won’t hold that *something special* that almost everyone is looking for when they hire a light & airy photographer like me.

Don’t worry though…I’ve got you covered when it comes to pick your photo session outfit!

All of my sessions include access to my style guide where I share my tips & tricks for picking outfits that will photograph beautifully.

Follow the link in my bio if you’re interested in working with me!

#salemweddingphotographer #bendengagementphotographer #oregonengagementphotographer
My toxic trait is seeing sunshine in January and t My toxic trait is seeing sunshine in January and thinking spring is here. 💀

And then my husband reminds me that it’s only January. 🤦🏻‍♀️😭

So if anyone wants to go ahead and book their golden hour summer session now so that I have something to look forward to, that would be great. 😂

#salemoregonphotographer #albanyoregonphotographer #corvallisoregonphotographer
I’m drawing a blank here… 😉🫶🏻 #salem I’m drawing a blank here… 😉🫶🏻

#salemoregonweddingphotographer #bendweddingphotographer #pdxweddingphotographer #spokaneweddingphotographer
Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE first looks and I th Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE first looks and I think they’re 110% worth it.

BUT.

When my husband and I got married, I knew that NOT having a first look was super important to him.

So, like a good little future-wife, I argued for awhile but then finally remembered that “oh hey, this is his wedding too so he should probably be allowed to make some of the decisions” and gave in.

And we didn’t have a first look.

AND IT WAS TOTALLY OKAY!

So, here’s my encouragement to you:

If neither of you feel strongly about *not* having a first look, then go ahead and have one!! It’s ABSOLUTELY worth it (for so many different reasons).

But, if after looking at all the info and reasons TO have a first look, one (or both) of you feel strongly that it’s just not something you want, that is MORE THAN OKAY.

My one piece of advice would be… find a photographer who can work quickly & efficiently so that your guests aren’t waiting around for too long between the ceremony ending and the reception officially beginning!

Make sure to like + follow for more helpful reels like this one!
I literally MELT when you call me your wedding or I literally MELT when you call me your wedding or elopement photographer. 🥹

Folks, I LOVE my job. 🥰

I cannot believe that I get to tell so many incredible stories through photographs FOR A LIVING. 😱

It regularly makes me tear up just thinking about it. 🥹

So, to all of you who are calling me your 2023 wedding or elopement photographer, I FREAKING LOVE YOU. 😘

And to all of you who *will* be calling me your 2023 wedding or elopement photographer, I FREAKING LOVE YOU TOO AND CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOUUUUU!!!! 😍😘

(Follow that link in my bio if you wanna chat 😉)

#lexingtonweddingphotographer #bendweddingphotographer #oregonweddingphotographer #pdxweddingphotographer

Rebekah Leona Photography

Timeless and romantic wedding photography for the couple who wants photos as stunning as their love story. Located in Oregon and serving the whole Pacific Northwest.

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