Top 10 things to do after getting engaged
10 Things to Do After Getting Engaged (with a Little Help from Adler Ranch!)
Getting engaged is one of those life moments that feels big and exciting… and then quietly confusing about 48 hours later. Suddenly you’re hearing words like timeline, vendor availability, and guest count, and you’re expected to know what to do next — even though you’ve likely never planned a wedding before. Most couples haven’t. That’s normal.
At Adler Ranch, a wedding venue near Alexandria, Minnesota, we’ve spent years working with newly engaged couples at the very beginning of this process. We see the same questions come up again and again — not because couples are unprepared, but because no one ever hands you a clear, realistic starting point. Wedding planning isn’t common knowledge. It’s learned as you go.
This guide breaks down the top 10 things to do after getting engaged, written for couples who are starting from square one. No pressure. No judgment. Just practical, real-world advice to help you feel more confident as you step into wedding planning — before the decisions start piling up.
Soak in the moment with your peeps!
Middle Sister Photography
1. Take a Breather (Seriously—Do Nothing for a Minute)
Before you open a single spreadsheet or start a Pinterest board titled “Wedding Vibes But Make It Chill,” pause.
There is no emergency. You do not need to pick a date this week. You do not need to book a venue tomorrow. Nothing bad happens if you enjoy being engaged for a second.
Give yourselves permission to:
Celebrate and enjoy making the announcement
Sit with the excitement
Talk about how you want this season to feel, not just what it should look like
Wedding planning is a marathon, not a caffeine-fueled sprint.
Soak in your engagement, and start dreaming about those beautiful wedding rings!
2. Talk Big Picture Before Talking Details
This is the “over coffee in sweatpants” conversation, not the spreadsheet meeting.
Talk about:
What actually matters to you both
Whether you’re picturing something intimate or a big celebration
How much hosting guests matters to you
What you don’t want (this matters more than people think)
You’re not making final decisions yet—you’re aligning expectations. This step saves couples from stress later when one person assumed “casual” meant backyard vibes and the other meant tuxedos.
3. Set a Comfortable Budget Range (Not a Perfect Number)
Budgets feel scary because no one teaches this stuff. You’re not bad at adulthood—you’re just new here.
Instead of a hard number, start with a range:
What feels comfortable
What feels like a stretch
What’s a hard no
This range will guide every decision moving forward, especially when you start looking at venues, catering, and guest count. Couples who skip this step usually circle back to it later… after some stress.
Max Craven Photography
4. Roughly Decide on Guest Count Early
This isn’t about finalizing a list—it’s about scale.
A 40-guest wedding and a 180-guest wedding are completely different experiences, budgets, and timelines. Even a rough estimate helps venues and vendors give you realistic information. Another good question to consider: Will we have a child-free wedding?
Ask yourselves:
Are we inviting extended family?
Coworkers?
Plus-ones for everyone?
What about children?
You can refine later. Just don’t ignore it now.
5. Choose a Season (Not a Date Yet)
You don’t need a specific date to move forward—but you do need a season.
Spring, summer, fall, winter—each comes with different pricing, availability, and vibes. Seasonal venues (like many outdoor wedding venues in Minnesota) may only operate certain months, which naturally narrows your options.
Once you know the season, everything else becomes easier.
6. Choosing Your Wedding Venue (This Decision Sets the Tone for Everything)
Choosing your wedding venue is often the first big decision couples make — and for good reason. Your venue influences your date, your guest count, your budget, your layout, and how smoothly the entire day actually runs. It’s not just about how a space looks in photos. It’s about how it functions in real life. Venues are usually the first major booking, and for good reason: your venue impacts your date, guest count, budget, layout, and vendor options.
When touring venues, don’t just look at how pretty they are. Ask:
What’s included?
How much setup and cleanup is handled by the wedding venue?
How long do we have the space?
What support is on-site?
Are there spaces for getting ready?
One thing many newly engaged couples don’t realize is that not all venues operate the same way behind the scenes. Independently owned, locally run wedding venues often offer a very different experience than large, corporate venues with multiple locations. With a local venue, you’re typically working with the same people from your first tour through your wedding day — not rotating staff, call centers, or managers you’ve never met.
That consistency matters. It often means clearer communication, more personalized support, and people on-site who genuinely care about how your day unfolds because it’s their reputation and livelihood on the line. Many independently owned venues also include extra services couples don’t think to ask about — things like setup, teardown, on-site coordination, and experienced staff who’ve done this hundreds of times.
At places like Adler Ranch near Alexandria, MN, couples aren’t just booking a space — they’re working with owners who are present, invested, and hands-on every weekend. It’s a quieter detail, but one that can make a noticeable difference when the planning gets real and the wedding day arrives.
Enjoy cocktail hour in the vast space at Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, Madelyn B Photography
7. Learn the Wedding Planning Timeline (Lightly)
You don’t need a color-coded Gantt chart, but understanding the general flow helps.
Most couples book:
Venue
Catering & bar
Photographer
Other vendors
Knowing this order prevents panic when someone asks, “Have you booked your photographer yet?” and you’re like… should we have??
You’re not behind. You’re just learning.
Wedding ceremony at Adler Ranch, Middle Sister Photography
8. Decide How Involved You Want to Be
Some couples love planning. Some would rather wrestle a raccoon.
Be honest about:
How hands-on you want to be
Whether you want help from family
If you’d prefer vendors who handle more for you
There’s no “right” way—just what works for you.
See our fabulous partner vendors! Ask for referral!
Remember: This Is About More Than a Wedding Day
It’s easy to get caught up in timelines, details, and opinions. But this season is about building a life together—not just hosting a great party (though that part is fun too).
Take breaks. Laugh when things get weird. Ask questions without embarrassment. Every couple starts exactly where you are right now.
And you’re doing just fine.
9. Assemble Your Dream Vendor Team
Adler Ranch has a list of trusted vendors, from caterers to photographers, who know the venue inside and out. Having pros who understand your vision (and the space) will make your wedding day seamless and stress-free.
Adler Ranch: A TON of photography options on wedding day!
Middle Sister Photography
10. Say Yes to the Dress
Once your venue and date are locked in, it’s time to find the dress. Whether it’s lace, tulle, or something totally unconventional, picking your wedding outfit early will give you time for fittings and stress-free styling. Alexandria has excellent options for dress shopping. Check out Jackie J’s Bridal and Formal Wear, 520 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308 Phone: (320) 762-5163. Another great option is The Special Event Boutique and Bridal 2715 MN-29 #110, Alexandria, MN 56308 Phone: (320) 762-0633
Adler Ranch Wedding Venue and its lighted sign collection, all vintage, all authentic, never a reproduction! A rare and unusual wedding environment!
Planning your wedding can feel overwhelming, but remember: it’s all about celebrating your love. Are you newly engaged and starting your wedding venue search? At Adler Ranch, we’re here to help you every step of the way, offering the perfect space and plenty of resources to make your day unforgettable. Ready to see what makes Adler Ranch so special? Book a tour and start your wedding journey with us today!
Adler Ranch Wedding Venue
Overhead view of Adler Ranch, located two hours from both Minneapolis MN and Fargo ND near Alexandria MN.
Adler Ranch Wedding Venue
Adler Ranch is located two hours from both Minneapolis MN and Fargo ND, near Alexandria MN
At Adler Ranch, we take pride in being an independently owned and operated wedding venue, nestled in the picturesque lakes area of Alexandria, MN. When you celebrate your wedding with us, you’ll experience the care, dedication, and attention to detail that only a family-run venue can offer. Every detail of your day is handled with the intention to make it as extraordinary as your love story. Hosting only a limited number of weddings each season allows us to provide the personalized attention and intentional moments that make your celebration unforgettable.
What truly sets Adler Ranch apart is our unparalleled collection of vintage signs—treasures we’ve lovingly gathered over 35 years. This carefully curated collection adds a unique charm, character and history to your wedding day, offering a backdrop like no other venue in the area. The signs tell their own story, creating the perfect setting for capturing memories that will last a lifetime and offering a setting for wedding photography like none other.
For more wedding inspiration, planning tips, and engagement advice, be sure to follow Adler Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Let’s make your dream day a reality! 💕Thanks for visiting! ~Marlys
A Thank you and a shout out to these locally owned, Independent wedding venue owners who show their support each day: Legacy Lakes Venue, Laurel Haven Estate, The Bougainvilleas, New Park Event Venue, Barn at Bradstreet, Evermore Ridge, Black River Lodge, Legacy at Serenity Farm, The Hidden Gem of Gruene SC Southern Charm Events
