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Congratulations On Your Engagement! This exciting milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life. As you embark on the journey towards your wedding day, there are several important steps to consider. Here are some tips on what to do after you receive the ring: Celebrate and Savor the Moment Before diving into wedding planning, take some time to enjoy your engagement: Bask in the glow: Spend a few days savoring this special time with your partner before announcing it to the world. Capture the moment: Take some ring selfies to commemorate this milestone. Plan an engagement photo shoot: Consider scheduling a professional photo session to document this special time in your lives. Begin Wedding Planning As you start planning your big day: Organize your materials: Create a designated email address for wedding-related communication and use planning tools to keep everything in one place. Research venues: Once you have a date in mind, start looking into potential wedding venues. Consider hiring a wedding planner: A professional can help guide you through the planning process and keep you on track. Discuss your vision: Have conversations with your partner about what you both want for your wedding day. Remember to Enjoy the Process Throughout your engagement: Have fun: Don't lose sight of the fact that you're preparing for a lifetime together. Take breaks: If planning becomes overwhelming, step back and focus on your relationship. Practice gratitude: Keep a list of people who send congratulatory cards or gifts so you can send thank-you notes. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to planning a memorable wedding while enjoying your engagement period. Remember, there's no strict timeline to follow – do what feels right for you and your partner as you prepare for this exciting new chapter in your lives. Share the News Once you're ready to announce your engagement: Inform your inner circle: Tell your parents, immediate family, and closest friends before making a public announcement. Make it social: Share your news on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram with a photo or status update. Consider an engagement party: While not mandatory, it's a great way to celebrate with loved ones Practical Considerations Take care of these practical matters early on: Ring maintenance: Get your engagement ring sized and insured to protect your precious gem. Set a budget: Have an honest conversation about your wedding budget and how you'll finance the event. Choose a date: Select a wedding date that works for you and your partner. Start a checklist: Create a personalized wedding planning checklist to keep track of tasks and deadlines. Remember, there’s no need to rush through these steps. Take your time, enjoy the process, and focus on what matters most — your love and commitment to each other. Your engagement is a unique and special time, so savor every moment as you embark on this exciting journey toward marriage.
"I finally found it!" My daughter’s enthusiastic declaration jolted me from the stillness of an otherwise calm and predictable morning. With questions colliding in my mind (What had she found? Why the sense of urgency? Did I forget that she had been looking for something?), I managed to compose a coherent response. “That’s wonderful, dear! Tell me all about it,” I replied. Little did I know that this brief exchange would alter the course of our lives. My daughter, Whitney, had located a beautiful rural property for sale in Carroll County, Maryland. With 33 picturesque acres, a large manor home listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a small cottage in need of some love, this hidden treasure built in 1861 would soon become home to some of us and the focus of a new family business venture for all of us. The catch was that the property was only available to tour for one week and offers were due by Friday evening. All of us had full lives, including careers and children, so finding a convenient time for a group visit was challenging. But once we viewed the details of the property online, we were united in our determination to carve out the time to head up to Westminster. So it was that one morning in April of 2021, my daughters Ashleigh and Whitney, my son Caleb, my son-in-law Luke, and my daughter-in-law Rachel arrived at the entrance to the property (or The Farm, as we like to call it) for an open house. Although we were in separate vehicles, our thoughts were remarkably alike. We will never forget the scene before us as we slowly rounded the corner by the large bank barn.
