Engaged Over the Holidays? Here’s What to Do First

Image by Tori Stanton Photography

There’s something magical about getting engaged during the holidays. Maybe it happened under twinkling lights, in front of the tree, or while surrounded by loved ones at a cozy gathering. However it happened, congratulations! This moment is joyful, exciting, and probably a little overwhelming.

If your holiday season suddenly includes a sparkly new ring, you might be wondering: What now? Don’t worry. There’s no need to rush, but there are a few helpful steps to take in these early days of your engagement that will help set the tone for your planning journey.

1. Take Time to Soak It In

Before you dive into planning apps, spreadsheets, or guest lists, take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. Celebrate with your partner. Call your closest friends and family. Take photos of the ring. Journal the story. This season of being newly engaged is special, and it goes by fast. Give yourself permission to just be in it before jumping into decisions.

2. Talk About Your Vision

Once the initial excitement settles, it’s helpful to start dreaming together. Don’t worry about details yet, just talk through the big picture. What kind of wedding do you want? Large or intimate? Local or destination? Outdoors or indoors? Casual or formal? Discuss what matters most to you both, and what kind of atmosphere you want your guests to experience. This early alignment makes everything else much easier down the road.

3. Start Thinking About Dates & Seasons

You don’t need to set a date right away, but it helps to have a general idea. Are you picturing a warm summer evening ceremony or a cozy fall celebration? Is 2025 the year, or are you thinking ahead to 2026? Keep in mind that popular venues can book out 12–18 months in advance, especially for peak spring and fall weekends. Knowing your preferred season will help guide your timeline and conversations with vendors.

If you have a particular date in mind, book it soon so it doesn’t get taken before you can get it yourself. Booking far out at any venue is never a bad thing; we actually encourage you to jump on your dream venue as soon as you can! If that dream venue is Park Home Ranch, contact us today at events@parkranch.com.

4. Draft a Guest List—Even Just a Rough One

Your guest count affects everything from your budget to your venue options. Even a ballpark number helps you get started. Are you imagining 50 people or 150? Will it be mostly local, or will guests be traveling? Don’t worry about having every name finalized, just aim for a starting estimate to help you make smart decisions when it’s time to tour venues or talk catering.

5. Start Exploring Venues

When you’re ready to move from dreaming to planning, your venue is the best place to start. Not only does it lock in your date, but it also helps shape your wedding style and gives you a foundation for building your vendor team. At Park Home Ranch, we love meeting newly engaged couples during this season. It’s the perfect time to schedule a tour, explore the property, and start imagining what your day could look like.

Working with a venue's preferred vendors has many benefits, including wedding vendors who are familiar with the venue itself and its staff, making your planning process that much easier. Those vendors are also vetted by the venue, ensuring you get excellent service and nothing less.

Planning Can Be Calm, Intentional, and Joyful

Getting engaged over the holidays doesn’t mean you need to plan everything right away. It just gives you a beautiful, cozy, love-filled season to start the journey. Use this time to align with your partner, dream a little, and gather inspiration. There’s no “right” timeline, only the one that works best for you.

And if you’re starting to think about venues, we’d love to show you around. Park Home Ranch offers stunning natural beauty, modern amenities, a historic barn, and a team that truly cares about making your day special from the first tour to the last dance.

Reach out to schedule your private tour at events@parkranch.com. Let’s start planning your forever.