Where to Begin: The First 5 Things Every Couple Should Do After Getting Engaged

You’ve Said Yes. Now What?

You are engaged, glowing, and ready to start your wedding journey. But between the excitement and the influx of congratulations, you might be wondering where to even begin. Take a breath. This is the moment to move with clarity, not chaos.

At Dee Lee Designs, a Los Angeles based luxury wedding and destination event planning firm, I believe the foundation of a seamless wedding starts the moment you say yes. Before you book, buy, or browse Pinterest for hours, take these five intentional steps that will set you up for success and make your planning journey feel effortless and inspired.

1. Celebrate Before You Coordinate

Pause to enjoy this milestone. Call your loved ones, take engagement photos, pop a bottle, and savor this new chapter. Your engagement is more than a prelude to the wedding. It is the start of a partnership, a season to celebrate your story together.

Many couples jump into logistics too quickly and miss the joy of this phase. Take a week or two to simply be engaged. The planning will come, but this excitement only happens once.

2. Discuss Your Vision and Priorities

Before you start contacting venues or vendors, sit down together and discuss what matters most. Do you envision an intimate destination wedding in Italy or a grand ballroom celebration in Pasadena? Is the focus on food, design, music, or guest experience?

Defining your shared vision early ensures your wedding reflects both your personalities and values. This conversation is also where you identify your top three priorities, which will guide every decision that follows.

3. Set a Realistic Budget and Guest Count

Your budget is not just a number. It is the roadmap that shapes your planning experience. Before falling in love with a venue or vendor, establish a clear and honest financial range. Factor in taxes, service charges, and gratuities so there are no surprises later.

Your guest count is just as important. It affects everything from venue size to catering costs and even design logistics. A planner can help you align these two elements so your expectations and your numbers match perfectly.

4. Hire a Professional Wedding Planner Early

Hiring a planner early is the smartest decision you can make. A professional brings clarity, structure, and peace of mind from the start. They will guide you through venue selection, budgeting, vendor referrals, and design concepts long before the stress can set in.

At Dee Lee Designs, we specialize in creating personalized planning experiences for couples across Los Angeles, Mexico, Hawaii, and Italy. We help you make confident decisions and design a celebration that feels intentional, luxurious, and uniquely yours.

5. Choose the Right Venue for Your Vision

Once your budget and priorities are set, the next big decision is your venue. It determines your date, your design direction, and your overall wedding flow.

Consider the guest experience and logistics as much as the aesthetics. Whether it is a garden wedding at The Langham Pasadena, a beachfront resort in Cabo, or a vineyard in Tuscany, your venue should feel aligned with your story and your guests’ comfort.

Build the Foundation Before the Framework

Every breathtaking wedding begins with intentional planning. Before the design boards, vendor calls, and fittings, take time to set the foundation. Discuss, dream, and decide together.

At Dee Lee Designs, we guide couples through every step of this process, helping them turn engagement excitement into purposeful action. From Los Angeles to destination weddings around the world, we transform your yes into a celebration that feels effortless, timeless, and completely yours.