Things to Do When You Get Engaged

Getting engaged is an exciting time in life.

Getting engaged hails the beginning of the rest of your life with your spouse-to-be. Immediately after the engagement, spend some alone time with your spouse-to-be -- celebrate each other as well as the occasion. After some time has passed, however, you must start making plans. Between your engagement and your wedding day is a flurry of activities. You'll want to make a checklist of the things to do when you get engaged.

Engagement Party

An engagement party is the perfect occasion to announce your soon-to-be-wed status to all of your friends and family. It is also a way to give your loved ones a chance to celebrate with you. Hold your engagement party sometime within three months of the engagement, and take it as an opportunity to not only invite your close friends, but also the members of both families so they can get to know one another before the big day. Make your engagement party a celebration to remember, but don't forget that your wedding day will be the ultimate celebration.

Bridal Shower

A bridal shower is typically held for the bride's close female friends and relatives. It is an occasion during which guests play silly wedding-themed games and the bride opens some of her first wedding gifts. Traditionally, bridal showers are held close to the wedding, but in modern times, they can really be held whenever convenient. Very often, the maid of honor or bridesmaids have the duty to plan and put on the bridal shower. Bridal showers are often themed, as far as food and decorations go, but it is by no means a requirement.

Gift Registry

Before you begin to send out invitations to the bridal shower and the wedding, register for gifts so your guests have an idea what to get you. Today you have countless options for a gift registry. Not only can the bride and groom register at traditional department stores and home stores, but many online options for gift registries exist as well. Many wedding-related websites allow couples to request funding for the honeymoon instead of gifts to furnish their home. Once you have registered, inform your guests via inserts in your invitations or on your wedding website.

Planning

Once you have gotten used to the excitement of the engagement and have had some time to enjoy your new status, you can set a date and begin thinking about the details for your wedding. Browse some wedding magazines, attend bridal shows in your area and visit websites dedicated to wedding planning. Think about a color scheme; food; decorations; music; and, of course, your dress. Keep a scrapbook of magazine cutouts as well as a list of websites and pictures you like so, as you plan, you have something to reference.

References

• The Knot.com; Engagement Parties - Planning 101; Kathleen Murray
• MaidofHonorGuide.com: Planning a Bridal Shower