Holiday Engagements: The First 5 Steps to Take After Saying “Yes!”

The holiday lights are twinkling in the Town of Davie, champagne corks are popping from Fort Lauderdale to Southwest Ranches, and if you are reading this, there is a very good chance you have a sparkling new ring on your finger. Congratulations! You have just entered one of the most joyous, transformative chapters of your life. Right now, you are likely floating on a cloud of FaceTime calls, fresh manicures, and “I Said Yes!” Instagram posts. The sheer euphoria of the proposal is magic. But as the holiday dust settles and the reality of 2026 approaches, a new feeling often creeps in alongside the excitement: “Okay… what do we do now?”

You are not alone. The period between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day is known in the wedding industry as “Engagement Season.” Historically, nearly 40% of all marriage proposals occur during these few months. That means right now, thousands of newly engaged couples in South Florida are all looking at the same calendar, targeting the same prime dates, and competing for the same exclusive venues. Planning a luxury wedding in a high-demand market like Broward County can feel overwhelming without a roadmap.

But it doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, if you play your cards right this week, you can secure the wedding of your dreams before the rest of the world even wakes up from their New Year’s Eve hangover. Here is your definitive, expert-approved guide to the first five steps you must take after saying “Yes”—and why your venue choice is the domino that sets everything else in motion.

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Step 1: Pause, Celebrate, and Protect the Investment

Before you rush to download planning apps, buy stacks of bridal magazines, or tour a venue, take a moment to just be engaged. You will be planning this event for the next 12 to 18 months; you only get to be “just engaged” for a short window. Enjoy the holiday parties as a fiancé(e). Show off the ring. Retell the proposal story until you lose your voice. Let the joy sink in.
However, amidst the champagne toasts and family hugs, there are three practical “housekeeping” tasks you must handle immediately to protect your peace of mind.

1. Get the Ring Insured

It isn’t the most romantic item on the list, but it is necessary. Between showing it off at holiday parties in Plantation, passing it around the dinner table, and traveling to see family, your ring is at risk.
The Action Item: Call your insurance provider today and add a “rider” to your renters or homeowners policy. Alternatively, look into specialized jewelry insurance like Jewelers Mutual. You want to wear that sparkle without a worry in the world.

2. The “Soft” Announcement

In the age of social media, news travels fast. Before you blast the news to your 5,000 followers on Instagram or TikTok, make sure you have personally told your VIPs—parents, siblings, grandparents, and best friends.
The Rule of Thumb: If they would be offended to find out via a Facebook status update, they deserve a call or a text. Once the inner circle knows, feel free to post that “ring selfie” with the perfect caption.

3. Get a Manicure

This sounds trivial, but for the next three weeks, everyone you meet—from your future mother-in-law to your barista in Davie—is going to grab your hand to look at the ring. Treat yourself to a fresh manicure so you feel confident showing it off.

Step 2: The “Big Three” Conversation (Budget, Guest Count, Vibe)

Before you look at a single venue or try on a dress, you and your partner need to sit down (perhaps over a glass of wine) and agree on the “Big Three.” You don’t need exact numbers yet, but you need a range. This conversation saves you from heartbreak later.

1. The Budget Conversation

Money can be awkward, but it is the fuel for your wedding engine. You need to determine:

• The Total: What is the total number you are comfortable spending?
• The Contributors: Are parents contributing? If so, have that conversation now before you commit to expenses.

The 2025 Reality: Inflation has impacted the wedding industry heavily. In the Miami-Fort Lauderdale corridor, the average luxury wedding cost has risen significantly. Labor, food, and floral costs are up. Knowing your bottom line helps you allocate funds wisely.
Why this matters: If you fall in love with a venue that eats 70% of your budget, you’ll be struggling to afford the photographer or the dress. A general rule of thumb is that your venue, food, and beverage will consume 40-50% of your total budget.

2. The Guest Count Estimate

Are you imagining an intimate gathering of 50 or a lavish party of 150? This number will dictate which venues you can even consider.
The “Sweet Spot”: At Saint Patrick Palace, we specialize in luxury events for up to 150 guests. We find this size allows for a vibrant party atmosphere while still feeling intimate and exclusive.
The Filter: Knowing your count prevents you from wasting time touring venues that are too small (physically impossible) or too big (where your party will feel swallowed up in a cavernous ballroom).

3. The Vibe: Estate vs. Hotel

This is the most critical stylistic decision you will make. Do you want a ballroom hotel wedding in Miami or a private estate wedding in Davie?

• The Hotel Experience: High energy and convenient, but often lacks privacy. You share the lobby with tourists in swimsuits. You might hear the bass from the nightclub next door during your vows. You are often locked into rigid catering packages (“Chicken or Fish”) and strict timelines.
• The Private Estate Experience: Total seclusion and freedom. At a venue like Saint Patrick Palace, you are securing a sanctuary. From the moment the gates close, the 5-acre property is yours. No strangers, no noise, no rules but your own.

Pro Tip: If you value privacy, creative freedom, and “editorial” style photography (think Vogue-style shots on a grand staircase without tourists in the background), cross standard hotels off your list early. A private estate offers a level of exclusivity that commercial venues simply cannot match.

Step 3: Secure Your Venue and Date (The “January Rush” Strategy)

Here is the inside scoop that most couples don’t know: January is the busiest booking month of the year.
Because so many couples get engaged in December, venues are inundated with inquiries the moment the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Tour slots fill up. Emails go unanswered due to volume. Prime dates vanish within days.

Your Strategic Advantage:
By starting your search now, in late December, you are beating the rush. You have the opportunity to tour venues while other couples are still recovering from the holidays. You can secure your first-choice date for late 2026 or early 2027 before the inventory is wiped out.

Why South Florida’s “Reverse Season” Matters

If you are reading national wedding blogs, they will tell you that June is the most popular wedding month. In South Florida, that is false.
We operate on a reverse calendar, and understanding this is critical for securing a date.

• Peak Season (The Golden Window): January through April. The weather is flawless—70s, dry, and sunny. These dates are the most competitive in the country because you are competing with locals and destination couples escaping the winter.
• Shoulder Season: October through December. Cooling down, hurricane season ending. Highly desirable for outdoor ceremonies.
  Off-Peak: June through September. Hot, humid, and potential storms.

The Math of Scarcity: There are only 52 Saturdays in a year. When you factor in our hot summers, there are really only about 25 to 30 “Prime” Saturdays in 2026. With thousands of couples getting engaged this month in Broward County alone, the math is simple: Supply cannot meet demand.

Why Smart Couples are Choosing the Town of Davie over the City of Miami

Many newly engaged couples start their search on South Beach or Brickell, drawn by the “glitz.” But they are quickly discouraged by the gridlock traffic, the noise, the exorbitant parking costs, and the lack of privacy.
This is why the Town of Davie has quietly emerged as the “Hamptons of South Florida”—a luxurious, serene escape just minutes from the city. Saint Patrick Palace offers the best of both worlds:

• Location: We are centrally located near Plantation, Southwest Ranches, and Weston, and less than 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Your guests get the convenience of the city without the headache.
• The Setting: Instead of concrete and cars, your backdrop is 5 acres of lush gardens, mature oak trees, a private pond, and a grand mansion. It feels like a destination wedding, but it’s right in your backyard.

Don’t Wait Until January.
We are currently conducting private tours for newly engaged couples through the end of December. Secure your date before the New Year’s rush.

Step 4: Assemble Your “Dream Team” (And Why Vendor Policy Matters)

Once you have your venue (Saint Patrick Palace, naturally), the clock starts ticking on your priority vendors.
If you are planning a wedding for late 2026, you need to lock in these three pros immediately:

• Wedding Planner: Essential for a stress-free luxury event.
• Photographer: The best ones book 12-18 months out.
• Caterer: Food is the heart of the celebration.

The “Open Vendor” Advantage

Most luxury venues in the City of Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale lock you into a “Preferred Vendor List” or require you to use their in-house catering. This often leads to “wedding factory” food—generic chicken or fish, inflated alcohol prices ($20 per cocktail!), and zero personalization. At Saint Patrick Palace, we believe luxury is defined by freedom. We have an Open Vendor Policy.

• Culinary Freedom: Want a specific sushi station from your favorite spot in Weston? A traditional Cuban feast from a family-owned restaurant in Hialeah? A wood-fired pizza truck for late-night snacks? You can bring them in.
• Creative Freedom: You can hire the specific photographer you’ve been stalking on Instagram or the floral designer who understands your specific vision for a “Wild Garden” theme.
  We empower you to build your team, not ours. This flexibility not only allows for a more personalized wedding but can also help you maximize your budget by choosing vendors that fit your price point, rather than being forced into a venue’s expensive package.

We empower you to build your team, not ours. This flexibility not only allows for a more personalized wedding but can also help you maximize your budget by choosing vendors that fit your price point, rather than being forced into a venue’s expensive package.

Step 5: Think Beyond the “Day Of” – The Wedding Weekend Trend

The biggest luxury trend for 2026 weddings? The Wedding Weekend.
Couples are realizing that 5 hours isn’t enough time to celebrate the biggest moment of their lives. They want a multi-day experience where they can truly connect with their guests, rather than rushing through a 4-hour reception. When you tour venues this month, ask a critical question: “Do you have on-site accommodations?”

Most venues will say no. They will tell you to book a room block at a hotel down the street. At Saint Patrick Palace, the answer is Yes.
We offer something incredibly rare in the Broward County market: on-site luxury lodging. Our estate features a luxurious main mansion and a separate guest house that can sleep up to 18 of your VIPs.

Your 2026 Wedding Weekend Itinerary at Saint Patrick Palace 

Here is what your celebration could look like when you have the keys to a private estate:

• Friday: The Warm-Up
  • Check-in to the mansion with your bridal party and immediate family.
  • Host an intimate, relaxed Rehearsal Dinner on our wrap-around veranda as the sun sets over the pond.
  • End the night with drinks in the game room or by the fire, knowing you don’t have to drive anywhere.
• Saturday: The Main Event
  • Morning: Wake up and enjoy coffee by the heated saltwater pool. No rushing, no travel, no packing bags.
  • Getting Ready: The bridal party gets ready in the massive master suite with natural light for photos (see our Grand Staircase!), while the groomsmen relax in the separate guest cottage.
  • Ceremony: Walk down the aisle on our waterfront dock or under the oak trees.
  • Reception: Dance the night away on our travertine terrace under the bistro lights.
  • The After-Party: When the music stops, your VIPs don’t have to wait for an Uber or sit on a shuttle bus. They simply walk upstairs.
• Sunday: The Recovery
  • Host a farewell brunch by the pool. Debrief the night’s events, open gifts, and say goodbye to your guests in a relaxed atmosphere before checking out.

This turns a stressful, rushed “wedding day” into a relaxing, luxurious wedding retreat.

Bonus: Why Booking Now Saves You Money

Waiting to book doesn’t just cost you your preferred date; it effectively costs you money.
The wedding industry is subject to annual price adjustments. Venue rates, catering costs, and vendor fees typically increase in January to account for the new year’s operating costs and inflation.

• Lock in 2025 Rates: By signing your contract in December 2025, you are securing current pricing for your 2026 or 2027 wedding.
• Avoid the “Inflation Tax”: Waiting just three months could see packages rise by 5-10%. On a $40,000 wedding budget, that is $2,000 to $4,000—money that could have paid for your photographer, a live band, or a honeymoon upgrade.

Your Critical Next Step

We invite you to come stand on the travertine terrace at sunset. Come take a walk down the grand staircase and imagine your entrance. Come feel the breeze coming off the private pond and see the bistro lights glow against the twilight sky. Saint Patrick Palace is the canvas for the modern, luxury wedding. Whether you are dreaming of a “Supper Club” vibe, a “Bridgerton” garden party, or a high-energy fiesta, our private estate allows you to bring that vision to life without compromise.

The 2026 calendar is filling up fast.
Do not wait until the “January Rush.” Use this quiet window in December to secure your foundation. Schedule your private tour today to secure your preferred weekend.