The First Steps After Getting Engaged in Auckland

You’re over the moon after your romantic proposal — a huge congratulations! This is such a special time in life, but what do you do after you get engaged? It’s now time to start planning your beautiful wedding, including selecting a date, budgeting, and getting creative with your vibe and styling.

Wedding planning is so much fun, but I know it can also be just a little overwhelming! To guide you through the process, here’s how to go from getting engaged in Auckland to creating a romantic, unforgettable wedding!

Share The Beautiful News & Announce Your Engagement

I know you’re so keen to let your friends and family know about your engagement! One of the best ways to remember this fleeting but exciting time in life is with an engagement photoshoot!

We can meet at a local beach, cafe, or anywhere you love, creating candid and natural photos of you both together — featuring your huge smiles and beautiful ring, of course! As your

Auckland wedding photographer, I find that an engagement shoot isn’t only a fun way to get some updated photos of you both together! It’s also a great ‘warm up’ before your wedding day, helping you feel more confident and comfortable in front of the camera.

A photoshoot is one of my favourite engagement announcement ideas in Auckland, as you can use your images to include on your save the dates, create social media posts, or email or mail to loved ones.

Set A Date

Next, think about locking in your wedding date — noting that this will also tie in with availability for your preferred venue. The gorgeous summer sunshine and long days mean December and January are often the most popular times to get married in Auckland, but our mild climate means you can enjoy an outdoor ceremony most of the year, if that’s important to you.

When setting a date, consider the availability of your guests as well, particularly if they’ll need to travel to Auckland to attend. And, of course, give your attendees as much notice as possible with your save the dates, allowing them time to make arrangements or take time off work.

Spend Some Time Setting A Wedding Budget

Another important task is creating a realistic wedding budget. Start by thinking about your priorities — do you crave a luxury, waterfront venue? Are you planning a large celebration, or would you be happy to cut guest numbers in favour of a larger honeymoon budget? Or, if you’re saving for a large expense in the future, like a house deposit or starting a family, factor this into your budgeting.

By working out what matters most to you as a couple, you can work out where and how to allocate your budget. I also have a free wedding budget calculator available for couples, which makes it so easy to organise your wedding finances.

However, some of the most popular ways to save money on your wedding include booking a weekday (instead of a Friday or Saturday), DIYing some of your decor or florals, or considering a cocktail and canape, or food truck reception instead of a seated dinner.

Book A Wedding Venue In Auckland — Along With Your Key Vendors

Choosing your Auckland wedding venue can be so much fun, but also tricky, since we have so many romantic and unique spaces to choose from! Some of the most popular wedding venues in Auckland include The Boat House, Bridgewater Country Estate, and Settlers Country Manor — all stunning spaces that offer beautiful views, delicious cuisine, and world-class hospitality.

When going along to site visits, keep in mind your guest count and whether or not the spaces at each venue will meet your needs. Also, think about your theme and colour palette — some venues are inherently better suited to certain styling than others, whether you’re after a chic cosmopolitan celebration or a relaxed garden ceremony.

Popular wedding venues can book out over a year in advance, especially in the summer and spring, so if you fall in love with a space, don’t delay!

After securing your venue, time to lock in your other vendors! I recommend you hire a wedding planner in Auckland as your first vendor, as your planner can also recommend trusted suppliers they know and work with often, such as florists, caterers, and celebrants.

If you’re envisioning candid and romantic photography for your Auckland wedding, I’m here for you! Let’s connect — I’m so excited to hear about your wedding plans and answer any of your questions.