When you get engaged to the love of your life, it will certainly be a life-changing moment for the bride- and groom-to-be. Accepting a proposal will cement your relationship, taking things to the next level.
Once you and your new fiancé have had time to bask in and celebrate the moment, you may be wondering what to do next. Who do you tell first, and when should you start planning the wedding?
To get you started, here’s a checklist of the four things you should do once you get engaged:
1. Tell Your Friends and Family
After your partner pops the question, the first thing you should do is tell your inner circle. Start by announcing the news to your closest friends and family, either by phone or in-person.
While it may be tempting to share your engagement on social media, wait until you’ve told those closest to you. Once you’ve announced the news to your parents, grandparents, and best friends, it then makes sense to show off your ring to your online followers.
2. Host an Engagement Party
What better way to celebrate an engagement than with a party? If you plan to have an engagement party, know that it should take place within three months of your big news. Decide on a venue, including your favorite restaurant, a private room in a bar, or in your backyard.
Before sending out invitations, consider who you plan to invite to your wedding. If you know a certain someone (or two) won’t be on the guestlist on your special day, then you shouldn’t ask them to attend your engagement party.
3. Start Collecting Wedding Inspiration
After hosting an engagement party, it’s high time to start planning your wedding. Now, you may already have chosen your bridal party and discussed your budget with your beau. When you get to this stage, make it a point to visit different venues and decide on a potential wedding theme.
An inspiration folder can help keep you organized and provide a better means of deciding what you want. Look for ideas for cakes, jewelry, flowers, decorations, hair, makeup, dresses, and bonbonnieres.
4. Send Your Save-the-Date Cards
Save-the-date cards give your guests time to prepare for your special day. They are usually sent six to eight months prior to your wedding and give your friends and family a few basic details, such as the date and venue.
Your save-the-dates should fit with your wedding theme and be followed up by a formal invitation two to three months before saying, “I do.” Sending advanced notice can be beneficial to overseas and interstate guests looking to book airfares and for parents who need to find a babysitter.
Social calendars can fill quickly, and a save-the-date card will no doubt help guests plan far in advance to attend your big day.
Happy Engagement!
If you’re newly engaged, congratulations! As you prepare for your future as a married couple, there are a few steps you need to undertake right off the bat. Start by announcing your engagement to your close friends and family.
Keep in mind, it’s traditional to host an engagement party, giving your loved ones the opportunity to congratulate you in-person. Once the party is over, you can plan your wedding and compile inspiration into a convenient folder.
Ready to share the date? Of course, a save-the-date gives your guests advanced notice of your big day and will increase the likelihood they can attend.
