Tips on How to Prepare for an Engagement For the Soon-to-Be Bride

Congratulations, you’re (almost, very likely, with 99.9% certainty) getting engaged! Whether you’ve been ring-shopping, making plans with your sweetheart, or just good old-fashioned sleuthing, you’ve got a big date coming up. To help you make the most of this incredible moment, we’ve put together a general idea of how to prepare for engagement season (and beyond!).

First, When Is Engagement Season?

PC: Love To The Core Photography

Engagement season refers to the window of holidays between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day—the most popular time of year for proposals. Of those days, December is the top month for engagements, with most sweethearts popping the question on or around Christmas Day. Compared to the rest of the year, about 40% of engagements happen during this winter season. 

If you’re wondering how to prepare for engagement possibilities in the coming winter months, it’s likely you’re getting ready for a big family event, an intimate holiday occasion, or a vacation abroad. The holidays are popular for engagements for a reason. There are plenty of festivities to make a proposal feel sweet, special, and personalized.

How to Prepare for Engagement Season

If you know or suspect an engagement is around the corner, there are a few tips to prepare. If you grew up on romcoms and dramedies, it’s easy to assume all proposals are a surprise. In reality, modern couples tend to take more of a planned route: discussing options, shopping for rings, coordinating with friends and family—in essence, upholding a more participatory process for both parties.

To make the most of your (somewhat planned) engagement, here’s what to plan and expect.

Don’t Be Afraid to Communicate

Call it traditionalism, call it introversion, call it the pressure of gender roles—some couples have issues discussing an engagement out loud. If this is you, don’t panic; there are ways to start the conversation and create an authentic and empowering experience for both of you. For example:

• Remember that the “engagement talk” isn’t just one conversation; it’s several. You don’t need to rush it. Give the topic time to breathe and evolve over weeks or months.
• Be OK with the weirdness. If your partner is honest and compassionate, they’ll create that space for you.
• Ask general, value-based questions. Treat it as a way to get to deepen conversation and strengthen your bond—not a means to nail down a definitive answer.

Beyond the conversation, be mindful of context and timing. There’s no “perfect time” to get engaged (so don’t get too hung up on that), but there may be a sweet spot. Ease into the conversation when things feel productive and exciting. Maybe you’re talking about moving in together, maybe you’re planning a dream vacation, maybe you’re celebrating a big milestone with work or family. If something inspires a conversation on tips to prepare for engagement discussion, it’s time.

Engagement Preparation Tips: Use Social Media to Your Advantage

If a proposal seems to be pending, you might be wondering how to drop hints about your dream ring style. Here are a few internet-savvy ways to make it happen:

• Save ring styles on Pinterest and Instagram.
• Share your favorites with friends and family. (They can help drop a hint.)
• React to ring styles on celebrities. You can subtly show which bands, stones, and settings you love or hate.

Or Be Direct About What Ring You Want

If subtle hints aren’t your forte, be upfront! Browse your favorite styles with your partner, give visuals, book a ring shopping appointment—whatever you need to make your vision loud and clear. Considering how nerve-wracking an engagement can be, your sweetheart will probably be relieved to know they picked out something you’ll love forever.

Start Saving Money

A simple way to optimize your pre-engagement? One of our top engagement preparation tips: Start saving money. It’s a truth universally acknowledged that weddings are unrelentingly, unpredictably expensive. The best time to start a budget is the second you start manifesting a proposal.

Get a Manicure

PC: Ruffled Wedding Blog, Lindley Battle

If you’re planning to post anything remotely related to a ring selfie in the coming weeks, treat yourself to a manicure. Virtual or otherwise, everyone and anyone will want to check out your new bling. No matter how gorgeous the stone, you’ll feel extra chic and confident with a fresh set of nails.

Talk About Wedding Dates

Wedding dates are a big factor in the timing of engagement. If you and your sweetheart have your heart set on a season or venue, you’ll want to plan your proposal and sync your engagement preparation tips accordingly. Here’s a general timeline to get you started:

• If you envision a spring or summer wedding, pencil in a winter engagement. It’s the latest you can get away with planning the basics.
• The average engagement length is longer than a season—more like a year to 18 months. Tips on how to prepare for engagement festivities comes down to how quickly you can get planning, make reservations, and check off your to-do list.
• Reserve popular wedding venues about 8-12 months before your nuptials. Peak months like June and September are especially competitive. If you’ve got your eye on these dates, it’s best to reserve early.  
• Made-to-order wedding dresses typically take 6-9 months to be delivered, so plan accordingly. Look to a boutique’s selection of priority and in-stock styles if you If you envision a spring or summer wedding, pencil in a winter engagement. It’s the latest you can get away with planning the basics.
• The average engagement length is longer than a season—more like a year to 18 months. Tips on how to prepare for engagement festivities comes down to how quickly you can get planning, make reservations, and check off your to-do list.
• Reserve popular wedding venues about 8-12 months before your nuptials. Peak months like June and September are especially competitive. If you’ve got your eye on these dates, it’s best to reserve early.  
• Plan accordingly as made-to-order wedding dresses typically take 6-9 months to be delivered. Look to a boutique’s selection of priority and in-stock styles if you get engaged and need a shorter wear-date.

Engagement Preparation Tips: What Should You Do After Getting Engaged?

If your sweetheart (finally) popped the question, congrats! It appears your engagement preparation tips paid off. Now that you’ve got a ring on your finger, here are a few tips for what to do next.

Tell Your Parents

Generally speaking, the first thing couples do after an engagement is announce to their parents and loved ones. You can call, send a video, plan a dinner, orchestrate a flash mob—whatever feels manageable and appropriate to your personality as a couple. Whatever you decide, timing is key. You don’t want the general public to find out before your immediate family and friends.  

Announce the News

Once they’ve alerted friends and family, couples typically do the next round of announcements on social media. This can be as simple or elaborate as you please. For example:

• Announce with a sign or prop.
• Post a classic ring selfie.
• Incorporate children or pets.
• Have your photos taken by a pro.
• Take a picture at your favorite spot.
• Travel to an epic backdrop.

Get Your Ring Sized and Buy Ring Insurance

Don’t let a new sparkler lure you into blissful complacency. It’s important to get your ring sized and insured before anything happens to it.

Set a General Wedding Date

PC: Ruffled Wedding Blog, Lindley Battle

It’s tempting to divulge immediate details about your wedding plans, but don’t let over-zealous relatives get the better of you. Talk with your S.O. about general wedding dates and preferred seasons, then work with your nearest and dearest to narrow in on an optimal date. Remember, don’t send out invites until you’ve booked a venue; the last thing you need is a subpar reception hall because you didn’t reserve on time.

Engagement Preparation Tips: Research Venues

As we mentioned earlier, peak-season wedding dates are highly coveted, so plan to book vendors early, efficiently, and carefully. The first major purchases should be your venue, wedding dress, and photographer. These tend to be the most expensive and least flexible parts of the wedding planning checklist.

Plan an Engagement Party

This is the fun part! Plan an engagement party to kick of your pre-wedding festivities. Our advice is to savor every moment. (Even a long engagement goes by super-fast.) You don’t get many more opportunities to celebrate your “once upon a time,” so dive in every chance you get!

Spend Time with Your Sweetheart and Loved Ones

The most important part of getting engaged? Spending time with your sweetheart! Don’t let weirdness and anxiety spoil a lovely celebration. Whatever’s on your to-do list, just embrace the imperfections and enjoy the ride.

To close out our tips for how to prepare for engagement season, here are a few ways to manage stress and be present with your betrothed post-proposal:

• Schedule regular date nights.
• Consider pre-wedding counseling.
• If you have time, don’t dive into planning immediately.
• Draw clear boundaries with over-eager friends and family.
• Pay attention to budgeting.
• Don’t overcommit to exorbitant purchases, events, and accoutrements. Focus on the essentials first. 

On behalf of Maggie Sottero Designs, congratulations on this unique and special time! We’re so excited to hear you’re on the path to happily ever after…

We’re honored to offer engagement preparation tips, bridal gown inspo, and engagement and wedding planning checklists to make “I do” your best day ever. If you’re looking for more insight on ring shopping and engagement season, click the links for industry inspo! As always, happy planning and best wishes.