Bucket List of Things to Do While Engaged (and quarantined)!

We all know the abundance of fear, panic, and chaos going on in our world, community, and minds right now – so today I wanted to share with you a bucket list of things to do while engaged (and quarantined). During this downtime with your fiance, it’s essential to bring lightness and levity to the challenges we are all facing.

Please first and foremost, take your health and the health of others around you into consideration before doing any of these suggestions or ideas. In order to take care of others, we have to take care of ourselves first!

Some of these items will be practical things you can do together that will help establish a strong marriage foundation as you walk towards your wedding day together. Some of these items will be whimsical – because we need to remind the world to embrace joy!

Talk about your finances

Time to get down and dirty about your “money story” with your future spouse. How do you relate to money? What were you taught about money growing up? Are you currently a saver or a spender? Do you feel weighed down by debt or are you set up to financially provide for yourself?

They say most couples fight over finances, so start from a place of wanting to understand where your future spouse learned about money. And be ready for your financial situation to change at any moment as life waxes and wanes.

Learn to cook meals together

You learn a lot about another human being by observing how they operate in the kitchen! I may not be the best (or most patient) cook, but this is the best thing we did while engaged and have continued into marriage. Assisting my husband in meal planning and cooking dinners have given us a mutual love for this time spent together.

Brittanee Taylor Photography

Co-creating together gives a sense of shared ownership, and it allows you to see the other person’s working style when it comes to sorting out challenges and differences of opinion (like if you should stick to the recipe exactly or just “do it by feel” – GUILTY! haha)

Take dance lessons (online)

My husband is not what you would call a “dancer”, and I took dance lessons for 13 years of my life. Now we didn’t want a completely choreographed dance for our wedding day, we did, however, want to know how to feel the music and move with one another for our first dance. With limited funds, we took to YouTube to look up videos of the Waltz box steps and practiced them together in the comfort of our home. And on our wedding day, we wowed our guests as mid-slow dance we started to waltz together just like in a Disney princess movie!

Discuss the future

In 5 years, where do you imagine the two of you will be; in your marriage, in your careers, in your family life, in your spirituality? Time to see where your dreams can take you! This one should probably go at the top of your list of things to do while engaged. – For more topics to discuss and think about prior to getting married, check out our post on 6 ways to know you are ready to get married!

Take engagement photos

This one will really depend on where you are located. If your local government has recommended social distancing social solidarity, please please please heed these cautions to keep everyone safe and healthy. If you are able to get outside for a walk, maybe turn your favorite walk into a photoshoot (with or without a professional photographer).

Read a marriage book together

Reading together can be a time of bonding between you and your fiance. Choose a book that will stretch your understanding of marriage or your partner, and will allow you to have open and loving conversations. No need to head to a store to purchase the book, you can always order online or rent the E-book free through your local library! Some suggestions include:

• Becoming Us by Beth + Jeff McCord
• For Men Only/For Women Only by Shaunti + Jeff Feldhahn
• The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
• Boundaries in Marriage by Henry Cloud + John Townsend
• Passionate Marriage by David Schnarch
• The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller
• Crucial Conversations by Al Switzler, Joseph Grenny + Ron McMillan

Peterson Design & Photography

Visit (or Skype/Facetime) each other’s families

Again please be cautious about visiting in person with anyone who may be immunocompromised or elderly. A virtual visit can also provide a meaningful connection as you share stories and memories with loved ones! Including your family in the things you do together while engaged can help strengthen the entire familial bond.

Take a ton of selfies together

Set the timer. Primp your hair. And smile! Smiling can be a great remedy in times like these. Did you know that when you use your facial muscles to smile you are reducing your blood pressure, lowering your stress hormones, and boosting your mood!

Do a meditation

Try a new app on your phone. Lookup a YouTube video. Read a passage in the Bible. Think happy thoughts. Be present. Be mindful. Be loving!

Take a class together or start a new hobby

The online world is FULL of professionals who want to impart their wisdom and skill set unto you. Think outside the box when it comes to learning something new and completely out of your wheelhouse. You could:

• Start an in-home garden
• Learn a new language
• Take a Masterclass
• Dive into podcasting
• Create your own board game

Dream about your honeymoon

I understand this one may be tough on couples who were planning a destination honeymoon to the perfect island for some R+R time, and it’s devastating when these types of plans change. If I may suggest, dream up a potential “latermoon” with your honey – one not filled with travel bans or icky viruses! Pull photos from online and create a collage or manifestation board to remind yourself of the amazing times ahead!

Start creating your guest list

Oh, the mother of all holy grails in wedding planning starts with the guest list! In order to know what type of venue to search for, you must create your guest list first. In order to know what type of food budget you have to work within, you must create your guest list first. I recommend these helpful tips:

• Set clear expectations about who gets involved in the process
• Be realistic about how far your budget will stretch when it comes to headcount
• Create your own set of rules for cutting non-essential guests
• Don’t be afraid to create an A-list and a B-list to help you see the full picture

Read reviews of possible wedding vendors together

Practically speaking, the best way to find out if you are a good fit with a potential wedding vendor is by speaking with them (preferably over the phone or through Skype/Facetime at this time) – but you can also learn a lot about how a wedding vendor operates by checking out the reviews past clients have shared.

Don’t just stick to The Knot or WeddingWire – did you know Google offers business pages for clients to post reviews? You can also do a little digging, and reach out to past clients of the vendor to ask specific questions.

Practice self-care

Take care of yourself! I’m sure you are feeling all of the emotions all at once and it’s overwhelming. Find little ways to be in the moment. Make a DIY face mask together, learn how to give massages (yes, there is an online class for this!), take an Epsom salt bath, practice solitude, snuggle with a pet!

When it comes to wedding planning and finding things to do while engaged, there are still many options while self-isolating or practicing social distancing. Think outside the box and keep in mind that although you may not see it, each of us is struggling with this is a different way!

If you have anything fun you’d like to add to this list – message me over on Instagram and we can help encourage other couples together!