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Newly engaged? Congratulations!
Once the champagne fizzles and the ring selfies are posted, most couples hit the same moment of panic: Now what?
Getting engaged — especially if you get engaged over the holidays — is equal parts magical and overwhelming. One minute you’re soaking in the excitement, the next you’re staring at a blank planning checklist wondering where to begin.
If you’re newly engaged in Nashville, you’re in the perfect place to kick off your wedding planning journey. Music City offers incredible vendors, dynamic venues, and plenty of ways to make the process feel exciting instead of stressful.
Consider this your newly engaged checklist, designed to help you enjoy the moment, take the right first steps, and start Nashville wedding planning with confidence.
1. Celebrate (Seriously — Don’t Skip This Step)
Before you open Pinterest or download a planning app, pause. Take a breath. One of the most overlooked newly engaged tips is also the simplest: celebrate first.
Plan a dinner with family, toast with friends, or sneak away for a quiet night together. Take the ring photos, share the news, and soak up the love. Whether you got engaged during the holidays or at another meaningful time, this is your soft launch — not the starting gun.
There’s plenty of time to figure out logistics. Right now, focus on joy. (Yes, this absolutely counts as part of what to do when you get engaged.)
2. Talk About Your Vision (Not the Guest List… Yet)
Jumping straight into numbers leads to stress; start with the fun part instead. Before diving into seating charts or spreadsheets, talk about how you want your wedding to feel.
Is your vision modern and minimal? Romantic and moody? Industrial-chic? Intimate and laid-back? Discuss season preferences and a general guest count range without locking anything in yet.
Nashville is filled with spaces that complement a wide range of aesthetics, from sleek urban venues to character-rich industrial settings. If you’re drawn to modern design with personality, this is the stage where that vision starts to come alive.
This step lays the foundation for how to start wedding planning without overwhelm.
3. Set a Realistic Budget
Love is priceless. Weddings…not so much.
Setting expectations early is one of the most important wedding planning steps in Nashville.
Start by determining your overall budget and clarifying if anyone else will be contributing. Then break it down into categories like venue, catering, photography, florals, attire, and entertainment. Nashville wedding budgets can vary widely depending on priorities, guest count, and season, so flexibility is key.
Using a budgeting tool or checklist now will save you stress later and keep decision-making aligned as planning progresses.
4. Choose Your Wedding Date (Or at Least a Season)
Vendors book fast — especially right after engagement season.
If you’re not ready to commit to an exact date, choosing a season is a great first step.
Peak wedding months in Nashville tend to fill quickly, while off-season dates — particularly January through April — often come with more availability and potential cost savings. Winter weddings can be especially appealing for couples who love cozy vibes, dramatic lighting, and a more relaxed planning timeline.
Keep how you want your wedding to feel in mind as you narrow things down, but remember: flexibility can open doors.
5. Start Touring Nashville Wedding Venues (This Is Your True First Step)
Your venue determines your date, your style, and often your vendor options — it’s the foundation of your entire wedding. That’s why touring venues is one of the most important things to do after getting engaged.
As you explore Nashville wedding venues, look for location convenience, layout flexibility, lighting, capacity, and how the space flows from ceremony to reception. Touring helps couples visualize their day in a way photos simply can’t.
At 14TENN, couples love the modern-industrial design, open layout, and city-close location that makes planning seamless while still feeling elevated. With flexible layouts and a flexible vendor approach, touring 14TENN helps couples quickly see how their vision can come to life.
Pro tip: holiday engagements mean January tour calendars fill quickly, so book early.
6. Lock In Your Core Nashville Vendors
Once your venue is set, the rest starts to fall into place.
Your core vendors — photographer, planner, caterer, and entertainment — should be booked early, especially in a competitive market like Nashville.
The city’s best wedding vendors tend to book up soon after the holidays, so reaching out early gives you the best chance to secure your top choices. Having a venue like 14TENN with flexible vendor policies also gives couples the freedom to build a team that truly fits their style and budget.
This step checks off a major portion of your newly engaged checklist.
7. Enjoy Engagement Season (Really!)
You don’t need to plan your entire wedding in one month. Engagement season is meant to be enjoyed, not rushed.
Schedule date nights, take engagement photos, build your registry, or attend Nashville wedding shows and expos to gather inspiration. Let planning unfold naturally while still savoring this once-in-a-lifetime chapter.
Following a thoughtful checklist helps you move forward without missing out on the magic of being newly engaged.
Ready to Start Planning Your Nashville Wedding?
Being engaged over the holidays is incredibly special, and with a few smart steps, the planning process can feel just as exciting. Start with the big decisions, tackle the rest over time, and enjoy every moment along the way.
Ready to take the first real step? Book a tour at 14TENN and kick off your Nashville wedding planning journey with confidence, clarity, and a venue that sets the tone for an unforgettable day.
