Getting Engaged 101

If you’ve stumbled upon this article, you are probably Just Engaged or in the planning on getting engaged. Either way, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Between Christmas to Valentines shows the busiest time of year to get engaged.

There are a few stages to getting engaged. Firstly, there is the planning by the proposer, next is the ‘now we’re engaged’ stage and then it’s time to get planning.

Photo credit: Darren & Shelley Engagement.

Planning The Proposal:

In the majority of cases, only one side of the couple will be secretly planning away. This could be a very simple plan of just asking when it feels right or there could be a big production being planned.

The main thing one will need is….a ring to propose with. For some, they’ll opt to get a ‘Promise Ring’ and this is an inexpensive ring that looks like and engagement ring. Given the scale of investment in a diamond engagement ring, it’s probably within everyones interest to not take a risk and wait and shop together for fear that the recipient wouldn’t like it. The promise ring buys time before going and purchasing the engagement ring together as a couple.

Depending on cultural background, you may decide to asking for the ‘hand in marriage’. This is where the proposer will ask the parent of the proposed if they have permission to marry their son or daughter.

Next, it’s to decide how to propose, is it going to be a production or asking while just living day to day life. There is nothing better than catching your fiancee off guard. Some are now booking a photographer or videographer to capture the moment.

The big piece is practising what you’re going to say…. yes you will need to say something!

Some helpful articles at this point centre around buying that diamond! Check out other couples questions on engagement rings.

If you want to learn about Engagement Rings, join me on the 14th of December at Fields in Dundrum for a night of inspiration, learning and nibbles!

Now We’re Engaged:

He/She has said yes so it’s game on. No doubt you will both want to call your nearest and dearest. I strongly advise leaving it a few days before letting a wider group and your social media. Try and cherish a few days with just you guys as once you put it out, you will be swept away and may feel overwhelmed with questions. Take your time to decide who will be in your bridal party. Don’t rush in to this as it can be a big issue when your plans start to evolve and you start to see how people react. Just pace yourselves.

A great place to start is by reading my Getting Started article as it gets you focused on the essentials.

Time To Get Planning:

One key piece is getting the data nailed down. If you read the Getting Started article you’ll see that there is a flow you need to work through to get your date. You have to balance the venues availability with your ceremony. That sounds straight forward BUT it’s hard to decide on what venue you actually want. This is where the majority of your budget is going to go so it has to be the right decision. Check out my venue article.

There is so much more that flows after that but you are mainly moving to lock down your date sensitive items such as band, photographer, videographer etc.

You can get an idea of whats next by reviewing the timeline.

I hope this is helpful. For a full wedding planning guide from top to bottom, check out The Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide.