1. The Engagement Afterglow: 7 Things to Do Before You Start Planning

Congratulations! Now... Take a Deep Breath.

That giddy, magical feeling? That’s the Engagement Afterglow, and it's absolutely priceless. But, let's be honest, that joy will soon be replaced by the pressure of planning. Before you dive into spreadsheets and vendor emails, you need to pause.

I’m Leeann Cook, a Melbourne Civil Celebrant and online wedding planner, and I’ve seen countless couples rush past this special moment. So, put down the wedding magazines for one more week. Here are the seven simple, stress-free things you should do to anchor your engagement and prepare yourselves mentally, before the planning marathon officially begins.

1. Plan Your Announcement Strategy (and Tell the VIPs First)

Before you post that stunning ring selfie to social media, pause the Instagram app for a moment. Your VIPs—parents, grandparents, siblings, and closest friends—deserve to hear the news directly from you, not your social feed. Once everyone important knows, plan your post together: pick the photo, agree on a simple caption, and then hit post. This small gesture prevents hurt feelings and keeps the joy front and center.

2. Get the Ring Appraised and Insured

This is the most crucial practical step you can take right now. That beautiful piece of jewelry is now one of the most valuable items you own, and you need to protect it.

Locate the original appraisal paperwork (or get one done quickly). Then, immediately contact your home or renter's insurance provider to add a jewelry rider to your policy. It’s a tiny bit of admin for a huge dose of peace of mind.

3. Set Your "Engagement Parameters"

As soon as the news is public, the floodgates open with questions, especially: "When's the date?" and "What are you planning?"

To protect your "Afterglow Bubble," sit down and decide on a simple, unified answer to share with everyone. Practice it out loud!

Examples:

• “We’re enjoying being engaged for a few weeks before we look at dates!”

• “We’re thinking mid-next year, but nothing is locked in yet!”

Having that little script ready keeps the pressure at bay and the joy intact.

4. Create an Engagement Celebration Budget

This is not your main wedding budget. This small budget covers things like: a celebratory dinner, a bottle of champagne, maybe an engagement photo shoot, and any potential engagement party costs.

Decide who is paying and set a firm cap for this stage. This prevents you from inadvertently draining funds that you'll need later for your vendors and venue. Celebrate big, but budget smart.

5. Start a Dedicated Planning Email and Folder

Here’s the only bit of organization I'll allow you to do right now, and it’s gold.

Create a brand new email address just for wedding-related correspondence (e.g., TroyandLeeann26@gmail.com). Use this for all vendor inquiries and planning subscriptions. Simultaneously, create a dedicated cloud folder (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) for saving contracts, mood boards, and photos. This keeps all your wedding stuff together and out of your work or personal inbox.

6. Do a "Vision Vibe Check" (The 3 Words Exercise)

Before you fall headfirst into the Pinterest black hole, you need a compass.

Sit down independently and write down three words that describe how you want your wedding day to feel. Compare your lists. Maybe you’re both thinking Intimate, Relaxed, and Joyful. Those shared three words? That’s your North Star. Every future decision—a venue, a colour, a vendor—should match that vibe. If it doesn't? It’s an easy "no, thanks."

7. Book Your First "Non-Wedding" Date Night

The absolute last thing you should do is schedule a date night where wedding talk is expressly forbidden.

Go out, laugh, eat something amazing, and reconnect as a couple. The wedding is just one day—but your relationship? That’s the main event. Prioritize each other above the seating chart.

So there you have it—seven simple things to do before you even think about planning. You’ve got a clear head, a solid foundation, and yes—a fully insured ring.

Now, if you’re ready to actually start planning—and you’d like to do it without losing your mind—I’ve got something for you. Head over to leeanncook.com/weddingplanner where you can grab my free wedding planning resources—all designed to help you craft a day that truly reflects your love story.

You’ll find:

• 12–18 Month Wedding Planner Checklist

• 30 Essential Questions to Ask Your Celebrant

• Post-Marriage Name Change Checklist
  
  

All free. All downloadable. And all guaranteed to make planning easier, calmer, and more you.

Thanks so much for reading—and remember: this engagement season is a once-in-a-lifetime bubble. Don’t rush through it. Soak it in. Happy planning!

Congratulations again on this wonderful adventure!

Leeann Cook

Melbourne Civil Celebrant / Online Wedding Planner

Get in touch.