Your Prince Charming has finally asked you the big question—and you said “Yes!” Congratulations! It is really exciting, isn’t it?
We know that you just can’t wait to break this news to the rest of the world! And you deserve to let everyone know. But, just take a minute before you change your relationship status on Facebook, and click save! Or before you tweet it to the world or post it in your friend circle on FB. There are certain basic etiquette rules to follow where an engagement is concerned. Let us take a look at what they are.
Family deserves to know first
Unless you are in an unusual situation where family doesn’t really count, they should be the first people that you should share the news with. There is nothing happier than telling it to your parents in person and watching their reaction to the news. If your partner is a true Prince Charming, it is likely that he has already asked for your parent’s blessings prior to proposing. In that case, this may come as expected. Nevertheless, they deserve to know first. If they live far away, break the news to them through a phone call or better, in a video chat. Whether you do it alone, or with your partner, depends on how you think your parents are likely to react to the news. You can also pass the news to the groom’s family first, if that is what you prefer. The only exception to telling your parents is when it is a second marriage and you have children. In this case, they deserve to be the first to know, whether they are young or grown up. You should also share this news with your ex-spouse, so they can help your children in accepting the news. Do not involve your fiancé when you talk to your children about this, so they can react naturally to the news.
Your close friends and family should know before the rest of the world does
As tempted as you may be to make the big announcement to the world, it is only appropriate that the most important people in your life get the exclusive first. News travels fast. So, don’t be surprised if your grandmother is offended because she came to know of your engagement through a friend, who found the news on your social media network. This will always be disappointing, even if you were planning to personally meet her to share the good news. Pick up the phone and call up all those who are really close to you. This should include your siblings, close relatives and close friends. Or message them personally. It won’t take long for them to acknowledge it. Once you’ve personally conveyed it to your dearest ones, don’t hesitate to scream from the rooftops! Or as is the current trend, announce it on social media.
If hosting a surprise engagement party, make sure all those who personally deserve to know are invited
Some couples decide to break the big news to friends and family at an engagement party. In other cases, it is the parents who want to celebrate the engagement by throwing a party for the couple, when they announce the news to everyone. Engagement parties are not customary, and whether you have one or not is up to your discretion. However, if this is how you intend to break the news, plan your guest list well. This is a very special occasion, and all those who personally deserve to know should be invited. Another factor to keep in mind is that, anyone who is invited to the party, also gets an invitation to the wedding. This is basic etiquette.
Other ways to announce are equally good
If you aren’t so fond of the idea of an engagement party, there are other traditional ways of informing everyone, albeit in a proper and personal way. One of the oldest, yet one of the most popular methods is through an engagement announcement in the newspaper. This task is traditionally undertaken by the bride’s parents. Or, you can consider doing it yourself. The announcement may be accompanied by a photo. So, it gives you a good opportunity to use the pictures from your engagement photo shoot. You can find out more details on how to do this in the right format, at this article on the Bridal Guide. Older relatives may appreciate if your parents personally tell them the news over telephone, or write to them. You can also host an engagement party, where you inform the invitees that you are engaged right when you invite them. It isn’t unusual to set up a registry prior to the party, as at least some guests will want to gift you on this occasion. Make sure that you have items of a smaller budget on your registry, so they do not have trouble finding a reasonably priced option.
Save-the-date cards are a great way to make the announcement
Save-the-date cards are an ideal way to share the news with both your close associates and those who you think should know that you are engaged. If you have already finalized your wedding date, save-the-dates will give your wedding guests enough notice to begin planning their availability. There are many beautiful card options on our store at Best for Bride. If you already have a specific idea of your wedding colors and patterns, you can search for one that matches the tone of the wedding. This will offer your guests a sneak peek into what they can expect at the wedding. If you still haven’t reached that phase, it is perfectly acceptable to email or send the good news to through snail mail. This will help you to share it promptly, and while you are most excited, and they will appreciate your gesture of involving them in your joy.
Let your casual acquaintances also know
There is no reason you should keep your engagement under wraps from anyone other than your immediate family and friends. Share the news on social media, but after you have informed all your closer acquaintances personally. After all, you deserve to bask in all the attention that you will get on this special occasion. There are many creative ways to make this announcement. So, if your soon-to-be-husband blew you off with a surprising proposal, this is your chance to be impressive with your creativity and stun him. We quite love the champagne idea; it is a great way to make that celebratory champagne work its way towards a beautiful announcement. And, as the article suggests, staging a photo shoot may seem too time-consuming. However, it is the perfect way to buy you that time to first announce the news to all those closer to you, and wow the world with how you break this important news, when the time is just right.
In all cases, put some thought into it
All you are concerned with is just telling the world that you have taken the big step in your relationship, right? Wrong! While you may just want to spill the news now, remember that how you do it will seem important, when you think back on it later.
Whether you do it in writing, over the phone or on social media, how you do it will seem relevant to you later. Even if you don’t want to adhere to traditional etiquette in this matter, make sure that your engagement announcement receives the due importance it deserves, by communicating it with interest and enthusiasm. It may be on an anniversary in the future that you scroll back to your social media announcement, and look at how special it seemed at the time. You do not want to regret how careless and casual you sounded. Just a “We’re engaged!!” can be so boring. So, do it better and it will be another wonderful page in your memories.
Now that we know what you should remember when announcing your engagement, let us also look at the ugly part of the whole thing—the likely mistakes to avoid! Yes, there is such a thing as a terrible announcement that people can roll their eyes at or even disapprove. You do not want that to happen to you. So, here are some ways in which you should avoid spreading the breaking news about this big event in your life.
- Never ever break it at another person’s celebration
You may be super-thrilled about that big solid rock on your finger, and can’t wait to show it off. So, create an occasion for it, when you will proudly announce the news. Don’t use another gathering as the chance to bring it out into the open. It is very rude if you decide to share this news at another celebration, like a friend’s birthday, anniversary or any other important ceremony, for that matter. It is stealing attention from the person who hosts the celebration, and you are wrong in doing so. If someone you know discusses this on the day, you can disclose the fact but keep the discussion to a minimum and hold off other details for later.
- By beating around the bush and expecting people to get the drift
You may think that sending out cryptic messages and having people ask you about what is going on is cute and exciting—not always! While those who are actually close to you may catch the drift and ask you what is going on, remember that everyone including your colleagues and friends from an other life read this stuff. Not all may be equally curious, and it can easily be overlooked. Worse is the fact that they may not appreciate all this drama. So, a straightforward and clear message is the way to go.
- Showing off
You may have an exemplary ring, which your fiancé spent a fortune on. Or, you may be engaged to the hottest guy on the planet. Nevertheless, nobody will appreciate you bragging about it. Let the ring speak for itself, and let the girls feel jealous of the handsome hunk you call your own. You don’t have to advertise it for attention. That just makes you sound like you won a lottery, and don’t deserve what you have. So, please curb the enthusiasm to discuss the carat and cost of your ring, unless you are specifically asked for it.
- Don’t pick the wrong time to make the announcement
It is never a good idea to break the news to someone when they are going through a difficult patch or have heard some bad news. This is disrespectful. As excited as you may be about the great thing that just happened in your life, it would be best to be empathetic and postpone your engagement announcement till they are better prepared to take it in. Whether this is your close friend who just broke up with her boyfriend of forever, or someone who has lost a dear one, keep the news to yourself till they come to terms with their grief. Trust us, they will not feel bad that you didn’t share the news immediately, once they know why!
So, as you mark the start of your sweet life story, make sure to do it right and all those beside you will be happy.
Somebody once said “Engagement marks the end of a whirlwind romance and the beginning of an eternal love story.” Here is all happiness and joy to you as you begin your life together. And for everything that you need for your spectacular and love-filled wedding day, visit us at Best for Bride. From wedding dresses, to bridesmaids dresses, accessories, cakes, invitations and wedding favors, we have everything you need for your big day in one place. Partner with us as you begin planning your wedding, and we will make sure you have the best experience you can possibly get.
