I'm Newly Engaged. What are the Next Steps?

Congrats on your fantastic news! After you calm down after making this thrilling choice, you'll likely begin to question, "Now what?"

Take a big breath before you begin venue browsing or become overly stressed, which is normal at this point. And yet another. It's not necessary to start planning right away. You have some time because an engagement typically lasts 13 to 18 months. However, in the initial hours, days, and weeks following engagement, there are a few crucial things to take care of.

The following 20 steps: What to do after getting engaged

We've compiled the crucial initial actions to take following engagement and a list of typical blunders to steer clear of amid the fervor. Save this list to your bookmarks so you can be sure you've covered everything without worrying too much or second-guessing yourself. Continue reading!

1. Share the information with loved ones personally

The individuals closest to you should be the first to know you got engaged. Please do this in person. If not, it's time to communicate your good news with video or phone conversations. As your relationship developed, these friends and family members supported you at every turn. They will be ecstatic for you and grateful that you tried to involve them in the festivities.

2. Refrain from making announcements on social media until everyone is informed 

We understand that you can't wait to take that ring selfie and share it on social media. However, wait until you've communicated with your closest friends and relatives. Try extra hard to connect with folks you know, but don't use social media. If your aunt finds out about your engagement through your cousin before receiving the call from you directly, it could damage her feelings.

3. Share the news with everyone else 

Now that your family and close friends are aware of your life-altering experience, you can tell everyone about it. The greatest way to share your wonderful news and backstory with your larger audience is through social media. Take that engagement selfie, update your pinned tweet or status, and spread happiness to all of your followers.

4. Get a professional manicure 

You may never get your nails done or be a devoted acrylic girl, but trust us on this one. Everyone you meet will ask you to show off your ring. If you want a more straightforward look, use clear polish or go for a pair of acrylics in your favorite vibrant hue.

5. Keep it vague when people start asking about wedding details 

Don't give away too much about your wedding preparations too soon. They can easily alter in a month when you start talking about the specifics. This can introduce unwanted pressure, so you should avoid it at the beginning of the process. Additionally, if you choose a destination wedding, you won't have to defend your decision to others. Tell people you're eager to begin preparing, but nothing is finalized if they inquire about the wedding's specifics.

6. Prepare your answers for the common questions 

When two people get engaged, they frequently ask a few questions. You will be prepared when they arrive quickly if you are aware of them and make plans for them. In the initial few days, you should anticipate the following questions:

• How was the proposal made? Answering is not that difficult. Tell your charming tale.
• Did you find it surprising? It's easy enough to be honest here; you were or weren't.
• When is the big day? You are likely still unaware of the date. You can do so if you know the broad timeline and would like to share it.
• Are you going to change your name? You are under no obligation to divulge the solution, even if you are aware of it unless you feel comfortable doing so.
• Are you going to have a baby soon? Even if it's nobody's business, this still comes up. "We're focusing on the wedding first" is a nice stock response.

7. Set a few possible dates

It's not necessary to set a specific date just yet. Let's start with the season. Which would you prefer—a chilly winter wonderland wedding or a balmy summer soiree? Perhaps you think they're both magical. As you start selecting your wedding location, pick a few rough dates between June and December that you can refine. You'll be more at ease while you plan if you are more accommodating with your date.

8. Throw a fabulous engagement party 

This might be a lavish sit-down dinner at a classy restaurant or a modest cocktail gathering at your place. Don't worry too much about this incident; if someone offers to help, accept it. Setting the tone for your wedding preparations now is a brilliant idea. Naturally, you want everything to go well, but you also won't worry if it doesn't. No matter where you are or how you choose to commemorate this significant choice, what matters is that your loved ones are around you. Getting used to being the Centre of attention and experiencing many embraces and emotions is another benefit of the engagement celebrations.

9. Get the ring sized so you can start wearing it without worry  

Although your engagement ring looks lovely in that black velvet box, you want to show it to your loved ones. Before wearing it outside the house, just have it sized! While a ring that is too small may become trapped and need to be removed from your finger, one that is too large can easily slip off and disappear.

If your ring is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you should also get it insured (if it isn't already) to buy a new one. You will need an appraisal first because insurance depends on the ring's cost. You may get ring insurance as soon as your fiancé does, so you're protected even before the proposal. Although coverage can be bought individually, it is typically added as a rider to your current homeowners' or renters' insurance.

10. Sit down with your partner and talk about what you both want

The ideal wedding can mean different things to different people. While some believe that eloping is the best course of action, others desire a wedding from a fairy tale. You should have discussed this before you were engaged, but now is the moment to figure out where you both stand on the "ideal wedding" spectrum.

This is an excellent opportunity to exercise patience with one another and listen without passing judgment. Although your tastes and expectations may differ, you can learn to accept these differences and reach an agreement, which is the main goal of marriage.

11. Create a basic guest list together 

For an intimate gathering, would you invite only your closest friends and family members, or would you ask your third cousins twice removed as well? This affects the "feel" of the wedding and is up to you to decide. Large weddings that include your parents' coworkers as guests might be wild, exuberant events, but they lack the personal touch of smaller weddings.

You should add names to the list to get a general sense of the wedding size. This might help you figure out how much money you'll need for your wedding or show you where to make cuts.

12. Set a budget that gives you an outline for future planning

Although you don't have to decide between a pasta bar and broiled lobster, it's helpful to project your wedding budget before considering your special day. Your budget will determine every stage of your wedding preparations. Consider the disparity in scope between two weddings with 75 guests, one costing $15,000 and the other $150,000.

13. Indulge your wedding daydreams

If neither of you is sure what kind of wedding you want, start looking at your options together. Look up "weddings" on Pinterest and do an internet search for wedding-related ideas. In addition to discovering ideas you never considered, you will find an unending treasure trove of wedding photos. (Hi, wedding in a vineyard!) The areas where your wedding styles overlap will become evident as you develop fresh concepts.

14. Start looking at wedding venues 

You can have a lengthy engagement planned, or you might be prepared to get married as soon as possible. No matter how close the wedding day is approaching, it's crucial to start considering potential locations for your event. Researching venues can let you both "see" where you will celebrate your special day, like looking through Pinterest. Even though a barn wedding site can seem lovely, it's simply not your taste. Additionally, you might recognize a beach venue and know it's the one. Join the Flowersarch and begin looking at the many locations in your area. You may even look into destination weddings.

15. Remember that whatever you're feeling is normal

It's common for recently engaged couples to have some worry. So is sorrow. After the engagement, some people cry for days on end. When they say "yes," others get uptight and nervous.

Although it's not often spoken about, post-engagement anxiety does exist. Take comfort in the fact that pre-wedding anxiousness is typically more about the significant changes that are about to occur than your love for one another. Now that you're getting ready to become a husband or wife, you're used to being a boyfriend or girlfriend. Talking to your partner and dependable family members and friends is the most excellent method to handle these emotions. Tell the truth. You'll be able to enjoy the following stages of your engagement to the fullest the sooner you put it out there and feel understood.

16. Schedule' me time for both of you

On the weekends, your fiancé might want to go to the movies with friends or play golf. You might need to spend every Sunday night in the tub for an hour or go hiking with your friends. Whatever calms your mind and revitalizes your spirit, prioritize it and set aside time for it.

17. Take time to work on yourself 

If you still follow your ex on Instagram or if you start to have trust concerns, get rid of any extra emotional baggage immediately. You want to start over with your future spouse, and any unresolved conflicts from the past might ruin one of the most joyful periods of your life.

Ask for the help you require, and be truthful with your future spouse and yourself. Talk to a trusted person, pick up a self-help book, or arrange a few sessions with a life coach, therapist, or clergy member.

18. Schedule 'we time' too

As you begin a more dedicated relationship, keep doing all the things that bring you two joy. Keep having fun doing whatever your favorite pastimes are: cooking lessons, museum visits, or rock climbing. And despite it all, keep laughing together. A couple that laughs together, according to science, stays together. Feel free to indulge in as many Netflix comedies as you like.

19. Consider premarital relationship counselling or coaching

You two should already be able to communicate effectively and have talked about your goals in life. Engagement raises the stakes, though, and unforeseen problems and pressures may surface. At this point, couples may encounter pressure from relatives regarding the impending nuptials or sharp disagreements regarding the wedding expenses.

Even if your relationship is perfect, premarital therapy, coaching, or workshops can help you work through the inevitable hiccups in all relationships. The engagement and the rest of your lives will involve many decisions you must make jointly. You can get guidance from a coach or counsellor on how to:

• Be able to communicate well
• Be honest and open.
• Handle disputes amicably.
• Active and sympathetic listening
• Cooperate as a team and support one another.

20. Enjoy the engagement 

You would think that this is obvious, but it's not. When faced with a life-altering incident or when making vital decisions, stress has a cunning way of getting the better of them. You want to remember this period with good recollections rather than bad ones. The following tips will be constructive: 16–20. Here are two more simple ones with a significant impact: Concentrate on the positive and don't worry about the little things.

Here are five things not to do after getting engaged

There are three things you shouldn't do for every action you do after becoming engaged. That's the least of your concerns; we've already discussed how important it is to notify your friends and family before your followers. Throughout the exhilaration, maintain composure and heed these five suggestions.

1. Don't commit to anything or anyone (else)

It doesn't follow that your cousin should perform the wedding ceremony just because he offered to get ordained online. It will be more difficult to back out later, so I disagree.

2. Don't ask people to be in your wedding party just yet

Don't pick your party just yet, even if you may have a general notion of who you want to be with you on your special day, particularly if your commitment is lengthy. In between "yes" and "I do," a lot can change. Friendships change, people move away, and new connections are made. Before asking, discuss it with your fiancé and wait a while.

3. Don't make any drastic physical changes

You may have the desire to undergo reconstructive surgery, correct your teeth, or drastically reduce your weight. However, significant alterations are not required before the wedding. Your partner picked you for who you are, after all. Go for it if you wish to make a few little adjustments to your health. However, this is not the time to give up wine, bread, and chocolate (don't even consider it) to lose a few dress sizes.

4. Don't invite anyone to your wedding (yet)

Avoid inviting everyone you know because you are too excited to share the news of your engagement. Regretfully, you will undoubtedly tell some people, and they will ask, "Am I invited?" Advice for the wise: Don't just say, "Of course!" Tell them you haven't even considered a guest list yet, and instead grin. Even while that could be awkward, telling them yes—and never inviting them—will be more uncomfortable.

5. Don't forget to thank people

The amount of presents and kind actions you will receive after announcing your engagement may surprise you. Please make a note of everyone who sends you a present, and within six to eight weeks, make sure to thank them via card or text. After your wedding and shower, you'll send many more thank-you notes, so start the practice now.