So you just got engaged, what's next?

So, you just got engaged! It’s definitely an exciting time for you, and we’re excited for you as well! In the middle of all that excitement, I’m sure you’re thinking, okay, what’s next? What do I do now? How do I start this process of planning my Hawaii wedding? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you with that.

Enjoy the moment!

First of all, just soak in the moment! It’s a unique time of your life, and you should savor it as much as you can. Take the time to celebrate with your fiance! You are going on a brand new journey and it’s going to be one of the most exciting times of your life. Bask in it! Take ring selfies, admire your new bling, hug your fiance, just have fun. :) Pause for a moment. It’s tempting to dive head first into wedding planning and get overwhelmed.

Tell your family and close friends

After you have celebrated and processed the news together, make sure you tell your family and close friends! Do this before you make your engagement social media official, so feelings aren’t hurt. Especially when it comes to your parents. Pick up the phone and share the news with the ones you love. Take some time to enjoy the moment with your friends and family. Host an engagement party if you want to and share the excitement with them.

Start talking about wedding dates and guest list size

Before you do anything else wedding planning related, it’s time for you and your fiance to talk about when you want to get married. It can be months from now, a year from now, even two years. What’s important is that you both are on the same page on the timeline and are communicating about it. Once you have chosen your wedding date, you should both agree on just how big your wedding will be. Will it be an intimate affair with just family, or a big celebration with all your friends and relatives? You can also download our wedding planning checklist here to get an idea of everything that needs to be done.

Research Hawaii wedding locations and venues

Now that you have a date selected and have an idea of how many people you want to attend your wedding, you can begin to research your Hawaii wedding venue and actually book it! Knowing how many guests you want to have can help you shortlist venues that can accommodate the number you’re looking at. Remember, you can’t book a venue without a date, and you don’t have an official wedding date without a venue and this is essential to actually move forward with planning your Hawaii wedding.

Choose your wedding party

Friends and family are important. They’re your number 1 support system during the wedding planning process. When choosing your wedding party, it’s great to select family members and friends who have been there for you who may have also played a role in your relationship. They will be there to cheer you on and offer input as you plan your Hawaii wedding, so these are important choices to make.

Research wedding planners

Another important person to have on your side is a reliable Hawaii wedding planner. Whether you are a local or destination bride, having a reliable and trusted wedding planner will help make the process so much easier as you plan your big day. A Hawaii wedding coordinator is also an option, if a wedding planner isn’t a priority. A wedding coordinator’s role will not be as involved as a wedding planner, however, and you can expect a coordinator to work with you a month before your wedding. We highly recommend a wedding coordinator or planner as having one allows you the peace of mind to enjoy your wedding day, knowing that someone else is making sure everything goes smoothly. You can learn more about the differences between a wedding planner and wedding coordinator here.

Choose your wedding photographer

Another important choice to make is your Hawaii wedding photographer. We recommend choosing your wedding photographer after you have locked in your date and wedding venue. Some wedding photographers can easily get booked up and delaying it may mean that someone may book your chosen wedding photographer immediately, so securing it early is worth it. Not sure how to choose a wedding photographer? You can check out our guide to choosing a wedding photographer to help you make your choice.

Research your wedding vendors and start booking

Once you have gotten the essentials down, you can go on and research your other Oahu wedding vendors and move forward with planning your Hawaii wedding! Having the venue and date locked in can help you be confident in securing and assembling your dream wedding team and plan your way to the best day ever.

Enjoy the process!

With all the planning going on, we understand how it can be overwhelming. It’s important to always go back to your why. Why are you doing all these things? Always remember that this part of the journey of marrying the one you love and starting your life with them. If things get stressful, schedule a date night and spend a couple of hours not thinking or talking about anything wedding related. It will help a lot.

Are you planning your Hawaii wedding? Learn how HNL Studios can give you the peace of mind knowing you will have the authentic, memorable, and heartfelt wedding experience that you are looking for.