We made it! It's 2017 now that we have packed up the ornaments, put away the New Years Eve party hats it's time for a whole other reason to celebrate...engagement season! Literally our newsfeed is filled with the sparkly goodness, and perfect ring selfies and it will never get old to us. Every story is unique, maybe the proposal didn't happen in a hot air balloon or even on the top of the mountain captured by a stealthy photographer but that's okay because obviously the romantic and casual proposal melted your heart so much so that you said yes!

Not that we've counted but there are probably several thousand articles out there telling you what you should do the minute you get engaged. We are willing to bet you've already told those closest to you and likely shared that beautiful announcement to the social media masses so you can check that one off of your list!

Next, let's just focus on the easy stuff before we get ahead of ourselves.

Think about who you want at your wedding and what location feels right. If you love your hometown or the city you met in back in college add it to the list. Does your family have a property that you could reasonably host a large event?
What are your must-haves?
Now that the wheels are turning what's a ball park budget that you both feel comfortable with?
Talk to a wedding planner, no talk to several wedding planners if you'd like until you have been able to ask all of the reasonable questions that you need to until you feel that you have a good idea of what you want and who can help make that happen for you. Wedding vendors are people first, and not all people jive so make sure to give yourself an opportunity to have a phone call, a video call or an in person meeting if possible.

Now, we figured you might need to learn the lingo of your fellow engaged community:

~ Happy Planning!~

This time of year is a popular time for proposals, and the beginning of the wedding planning process. So in honor of engagement season here are a few tips and resources for the newly engaged!

Is that left hand heavier? First and foremost, try to resist the urge to admire your new bling while driving and focus on keeping your eyes on the road! After you have settled down from the excitement you might be wondering what to do next, and what the etiquette is for this time in your life. You can read our post on announcing your engagement for some of the various ways to spread the news (without shouting from the rooftops.) Did we mention you get an excuse throw an awesome party? While not required, an engagement party is a great way to introduce and start merging your closest friends and family with his. Read here about the Etiquette of Engagement Parties from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Now that you are engaged, you might be inspired to pick up a wedding magazine while checking out in the grocery line or maybe even DVR Say Yes to The Dress or Platinum Weddings on TLC. Take our advice and give yourself time to let it sink in and don't overwhelm yourself with wedding madness. Just enjoy this exciting time and take it step by step while communicating with your fiance about what you both want for the wedding. Here are some of wedding buzzwords that you might not already know:

BM: Best man, or bridesmaid BP: Bridal party DH: Dear husband DOP: Day of Planner DW: Destination wedding, or dear wife E-ring: Engagement ring E-party: Engagement party E-pic/E-Session: Engagement pictures (usually taken outside in a variety of poses, outfits, locations) FFIL: Future father-in-law FG: Flower girl FH: Future husband FI: Fiancee FILs: Father-in-laws FMIL: Future mother-in-law FOB: Father of the bride FOG: Father of the groom FSIL: Future sister-in-law GM: Groomsmen GP: Grandparent HM: Honeymoon JP: Justice of the Peace LTBM: Living together before marriage MIL: Mother-in-law MOB: Mother of the bride MOG: Mother of the groom MOH: Maid of honor OOTG: Out-of-town guests RB: Ring bearer RD: Rehearsal dinner STDs: Save the Dates TY: Thank you For more check out http://www.yourwedding101.com/wedding-basics/wedding-glossary.aspx

No proposal yet? Dropping the hint: If your significant other has expressed their intention of proposing or taking things to the next level but you aren't sure if they know your ring style, you can start by checking out the website of your favorite jeweler. Most large jewelers will have a page or link on their website for "dropping a hint" this can either send an email link with the style number, size etc via email or you may have the option to print it out and leave out in plain sight. If you want it to be a surprise, then give your significant other the confidence to choose out the ring style on their own, by letting them know you will love whatever they pick out. As a fail safe, some jewelers will have the customer pick out the diamond to their specifications and propose with a basic setting until the couple can come in together and select the style. For a helpful glossary on wedding jewelry click here.

Check back for more engagement related posts, and enjoy your holiday season!