What To Do After You Get Engaged: Hire a Photographer and Send Those Save the Dates!

Now that you’ve nailed down a budget and set the date it’s time to start telling the world about your upcoming nuptials by taking engagement photos and sending save the dates! ​

I’m writing a 4 part series about what to do after you get engaged! Finding a photographer is crucial to other parts of your wedding planning beyond just wedding day photos.

In the age of social media that we live in, I am confident that one of the first things to cross a newly engaged woman’s mind is when she will get to post swoony pictures of her and her love on Instagram.  And, believe me when I say, there’s nothing wrong with that!
If there is one thing I love more than wedding photos, it’s engagement photos. They don’t require a lot of fuss (i.e. big dresses and bridal parties), and it’s so incredibly fun to capture couples in their “natural environment” whether that is their home, favorite coffee shop, or a park in their favorite city (Oklahoma City!). Once your engagement photos have been taken, they can be used for anything---gifts, hanging in your home, and most importantly save the dates!

Finding the Right Engagement Photographer

When hiring an engagement photographer, it’s a good idea to choose the same photographer you would like to use for your wedding day. Not only do some photographers offer great combination packages at affordable prices, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to get to know the photographer and their style. When you hire the same photographer for your engagement photos and your wedding by the time your big day rolls around you will know each other so well you will feel like old friends...and your pictures will turn out even better!

Prepping for Engagement Photos

Like I said before, I love engagement photos because they are completely low maintenance. In my opinion, they turn out best when you have your hair and makeup styled naturally, and don’t go overboard on the props. However, there is still some prep that goes into engagement photos. You might want to choose a new casual outfit or have your hair freshly cut. Oh, and don’t forget to clue in your future hubby---he might want to do the same (or have you do it for him). I usually recommend couples plan two outfits; 1 casual outfit (jeans and nice shirts) and 1 dressy "date night" outfit to add variety to your session!

Making and Sending Save the Dates

Once your engagement shoot is over it’s time to put those pictures to work! Save the dates are one of the most popular ways to both show off your wedding photos and let people know you’ve officially set a date for the big day! You can make trendy, affordable save the dates online at a number of different sites.  Some of my favorites are Shutterfly, Zazzle, and Canva. These sites make it simple to get the job done with their easy to use templates.

Best practice for save the date cards is to send them out to your friends and family at least six months in advance of the wedding! Some couples, however, choose to send them as early as a year in advance if they know they have guests who will be traveling from far away!
My last piece of advice: Enjoy this process! Relish in the moments of your engagement photos. Take time to take in the one you love. Be excited to share them with friends and family. This is your time and one of the best times in the entire wedding planning process!