Congratulations on your engagement!Before you dive headfirst into wedding planning mode, take a deep breath and remember that the early days of being newly engaged are precious. It’s natural to feel excited and want to start making plans, but it’s equally important to savor this special time with your partner.As someone who recently went through this experience, I can attest that it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of wedding planning. But don’t rush into anything just yet! Take a step back, relax, and enjoy this unique opportunity to bond with your fiancé(e) before diving into the nitty-gritty details.So, what should you avoid doing when you first get engaged? For starters, try not to:* Start planning the wedding without talking it through with your partner* Make any big decisions or commitments without taking time to think things through* Get too caught up in Pinterest and start pinning dresses before you’ve even had a chance to breathe!* Assume that everything will fall into place without putting in some effortTake your time, enjoy the journey, and remember that it’s okay to slow down. The early days of being newly engaged are all about celebrating love, commitment, and the future ahead.
Announce It On Social Media (Before You Call Your Parents)
When sharing the excitement of getting engaged, etiquette plays a crucial role. You may be bursting with enthusiasm to share the news with everyone, but it’s essential to consider who you tell first and how you do it. In our case, we got engaged on a Sunday morning, so we waited until the next day to spread the word. This allowed us to bask in our secret for a few hours, which was pure bliss.
We started by Skyping our parents, who reside in Ireland and us in London. We then contacted our siblings, requesting that they not be informed by their parents until later. Our parents got the exciting task of sharing the news with our extended family members.
Next, we called some close friends, while group mailing others who are scattered across the globe – a more effective way for us to stay in touch given our distance. We also made sure to inform our London-based friends in person, which was an absolute delight (I highly recommend doing this as much as possible; the reactions are truly lovely!).
Finally, after ensuring that everyone close to us knew about our engagement, we updated our relationship status on Facebook – a modern way of announcing your engagement to the world and providing a great excuse for old friends to reconnect and offer their congratulations.
Tell Everyone Your Plans
When announcing your engagement, it’s natural to have a rough idea of the plans, whether it’s a winter wonderland celebration or an intimate gathering. Your partner and you may have already discussed details like venue, date, and guest list. However, try not to reveal too much too soon. Not only do you need to vet your desired dates with key people, but you also risk encountering last-minute changes that might throw everything off track. We initially told everyone we’d be tying the knot in London, but a thorough search of venues in both cities has us now considering Dublin instead (though even that’s not set in stone just yet!). The takeaway is to keep quiet until those contracts are signed and sealed, avoiding the need for awkward backtracking later on.
Commit To Your Bridal Party (Or Your Guest List)
When it comes to sharing the excitement of an upcoming wedding with friends, it’s easy to get carried away and start making announcements left and right. However, it’s essential to take a step back and consider the timing before blurting out, ‘Will you be my bridesmaid?’ to all six of your closest friends. Similarly, avoid discussing wedding details with work colleagues unless you’re confident they’ll be included in your celebration. Instead, hold off until you’ve had open discussions with your partner about your guest list and bridal party. This approach allows you to refine your plans before sharing the news with others, reducing the risk of disappointing those who may not ultimately make the cut.
Start Booking Vendors
When it comes to planning your special day, it’s easy to get swept up in sentimental ideas and want to recreate every detail that made your first trip together or a loved one’s wedding so memorable. But before you start booking vendors left and right, take a step back and remember the importance of doing your research. Having multiple quotes from different suppliers can help you ensure you’re getting the best deal possible, even if it means ultimately choosing the same vendor that caught your eye initially. By taking the time to shop around, you’ll have the confidence knowing you’ve made an informed decision and not simply settled for the first option that came along.
Buy A Dress
I must confess that I came extremely close to purchasing a wedding dress before even getting engaged. Yes, I’m the guilty party. As a wedding planner, I’ve had the pleasure of working with numerous brides-to-be and have been exposed to countless stunning wedding dresses. However, my ideal dress has always remained vivid in my imagination. That was until I stumbled upon it during a collection viewing – my heart skipped a beat as if it were skipping a step! The urge to buy it on the spot without even trying it on was overwhelming. But here’s the thing: I’ve never tried on a wedding dress before, and that thought sent me into a whirlwind of self-doubt. Would I try on my dream style only to be disappointed? Or would I fall in love with it, only for my tastes or shape to change over time? It dawned on me that buying a dress too early or settling for the first one you try on are common mistakes many brides make, leaving them tired of their chosen dress or regretting not having explored other options. The takeaway is clear: don’t rush into anything! And as a bonus tip, don’t feel pressured to jumpstart a diet just because you’re engaged – remember, your partner chose you for who you are, so be patient and enjoy the journey.
Get Braggy
As we’re sure our readers are already thrilled to hear about your engagement, a little reminder is in order. Your special moment has likely brought out the excited newlywed-to-be within you (and we wouldn’t have it any other way!). However, let’s not forget to keep things in check. It’s tempting to share every detail of that magical proposal moment with friends and family, but try not to get too carried away. While it’s natural to want to gush about the happiness and relief that comes with knowing you’ll never have to go on a first date again, remember to be gracious and considerate of others’ feelings. Don’t dominate conversations with tales of your ring’s carat size or price, nor should you flaunt how ‘lucky’ you are to have an understanding father footing the bill. Instead, share your joy and excitement in moderation, knowing that your friends will indeed be thrilled for you, but also respecting their own life milestones and accomplishments.
Forget Your Thank Yous
The euphoria surrounding the announcement of our engagement was palpable. We were genuinely taken aback by the sheer enthusiasm displayed by our loved ones. The anticipation leading up to this moment had been building for us, but it was heartwarming to see that our friends and family made us feel like this milestone was just as significant for them as it was for us. Amidst the celebration, we received an abundance of well-wishes in the form of heartfelt cards, champagne bottles, and thoughtful gifts intended for our ‘bottom drawer’. As with any major life event, it’s essential to keep track of the thoughtful gestures from loved ones, taking note of each gift as you receive it so that you can express your gratitude promptly. We aimed to send out thank-you cards within a fortnight, allowing us to stay on top of things and ensure our loved ones knew how much their kindness meant to us.