It’s been 2½ years since S got down on one knee and proposed to me at the top of a mountain in the Alps. We’ve been newlyweds for almost 5 months and we couldn’t be happier ☺️ Our engagement was PERFECT and I remember there being almost a fortnight of absolute bliss.
For many of us, getting engaged is one of the most exciting things that could possibly happen. But really, it’s just the start of a long journey. Once all of the giddiness has died down a little bit (in my case, crying haha!), you might be wondering what happens next. Let’s run through a few of the things you’ll need to do!
1. Tell family and friends
The modern way to announce an engagement is to take to social media and post a picture of the ring on a finger along with the words ‘I said yes!’ (I’ve seen some of the cutest engagement photos with gorgeous Moon Magic rings recently on Insta!). While there’s nothing wrong with this, you might find that it puts a few noses out of joint; your parents might want to hear the good news before school acquaintances you haven’t spoken to in more than a decade. Pick up the phone and pass on the good news to the really important people.
2. Pop the cork 🍾
You’ll probably want to head out to celebrate the engagement. This doesn’t have to be a big, elaborate party (you’ll have enough stress planning those in the months to come). Just invite a few close friends out to toast the engagement. S proposed the day before my birthday so I happened to be having a spa day with all my friends anyway, so it tied in really nicely as a weekend of amazingness.
3. Insure the Ring
Insurance is probably not the first thing you think of, which makes it especially important. Engagement rings are extremely valuable and easy to lose if you aren’t careful. Put it on your home insurance policy as soon as possible; you might be grateful that you did!
4. Resizing the Ring
S and I went ring shopping together but he always knew it wouldn’t fit because he couldn’t order a half-size. They suggested sending it off for adjusting but he was too impatient and wanted to ask right away in the Alps! I waited a few months until I sent it off because I didn’t want to be without it.
If you’ve gone for a placeholder ring, then now’s the time to swap it out for the real thing. There are hundreds of engagement rings to choose from, so pick something that matches your personality. I cannot stress this enough, try them all on. I ended up choosing something completely different from what I imagined.
5. Pick a Budget
Your next step should be to have an honest conversation about how much you want to spend on your wedding. Many couples go for less than they can afford so that they can go on a longer honeymoon, or pay for that new boiler. Once you’ve decided on a budget, you’ll be able to move forward with the rest of your wedding plans.
6. Set a Date
The time you get married will be informed by your budget. If you decide on an autumn or winter wedding, or even a midweek one, you’ll find that you can negotiate a discount with the venue. Another factor worth considering is attendance – you need to pick a date that will be convenient for the rest of your guests. Christmas and Valentine’s Day are magically but can be a little awkward.