💍 You’re Engaged!
It’s here: engagement season is in full swing! From the moment you say “yes,” to sharing the news with your favorite people, this season is full of excitement, happy tears, and celebrating your love story.
It’s easy to feel like you need to make every decision right away, from your date and vibe to your guest list and even napkin folds! Or maybe you’re on the other end of the spectrum, wanting to soak it all in and avoid planning for as long as possible.
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to have it all figured out right now.
Finding the where and the when first allows everything else to fall naturally into place and allows you to truly enjoy your engagement.
Our expert planners have helped thousands of couples through this exact moment, and we’re here to share our top five tips to help you enjoy your engagement and have the wedding that’s perfectly made for you two
1. Get a Sense of What Speaks to You Two
Instead of sitting down with your partner and asking, “So… what kind of wedding do you want?” try this fun little game:
Each of you answer these questions separately:
Indoor or outdoor?
Local celebration or destination vibe?
Chic and elevated? Cozy and intimate? Big and energetic?
Spring, summer, fall, or winter?
Then compare!
You’ll either be surprisingly aligned or laugh when you realize you have completely different visions (also okay! Compromise is a perfect skill for this next chapter 🙂).
You’re not making final decisions yet- just finding your direction!
2. Create a Range for Your Guest Count (Not a Final List)
Your guest count is a great starting point. It helps determine:
Which venues are the best fit
Food and bar pricing
Rental and décor budgets
You don’t need a spreadsheet, just simply consider:
“Are we a 120–150 person wedding? Or 165–200?”
A range is all you need to start looking at venues confidently.
3. Your Venue Lays the Groundwork and Makes Planning a Breeze
Once you find your venue, the real magic begins. You’ll have:
A date (or a few options!)
A realistic budget
A clear planning timeline
Also the space to take a deep breath and enjoy your engagement
And with CT Wedding Group, you also gain your built-in planning dream team. Like our couples tell us,
“From the beginning, the entire wedding team went above and beyond to make our day seamless and stress-free. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care made all the difference throughout the planning process and on the big day itself.”
After securing your venue, all the fun next steps like selecting your vendors, color palette, and décor fall into place naturally, and with expert guidance every step of the way – easily.
4. All the Magic, None of the Stress: The Power of All-Inclusive
Wedding planning can be overwhelming if you’re trying to piece together catering, bar service, rentals, and event management on your own.
That’s where an all-inclusive venue becomes a total game changer.
With one point of contact, a predictable budget, and an expert planning team on your side, you can actually enjoy being engaged instead of feeling stressed.
Couples tell us all the time how much easier it felt once they realized everything was handled in one place. Talk about being able to enjoy being engaged and wedding planning!
5. Decide Who’s Involved in Making Decisions
This one might surprise you, but it will save you a ton of stress later. Every couple is different, so there’s no right or wrong answer.
Ask each other:
Will this be our decision as a couple?
Who gets a “vote” vs. who just gets to be informed?
Do we want opinions, or do we just want support?
Setting expectations early helps you avoid surprise opinions and decision fatigue, and keeps the focus where it belongs: on your love story.
Expert Reminder: You Are Not Behind
With these five things in mind, you’re already ahead of most newly engaged couples! Wedding planning doesn’t have to start with stress, it can start with excitement, clarity, and a sense of calm.
Ready to Have Fun and Marry Your Best Friend?
The holiday and post-holiday season is one of the most popular times of year for engagements, and we’ve got you covered!
With our one-of-a-kind venues and expert planning team supporting you every step of the way, you can relax, celebrate, and enjoy the holidays knowing the best gift of all is already yours, your wedding date.
Whether you’re envisioning:
✨ A one-of-a-kind, elevated historic wedding at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills
🌊 A dreamy waterfront celebration at The Pavilion on Crystal Lake
🌿 Sweeping hilltop views at Lyman Orchards Golf Club
🏙 A show-stopping modern venue at Riverbend (opening 2026)
Let’s find the venue that speaks to you two and your love story. Your forever starts here.
