Congratulations—You're Engaged!
- Share the good news
- Meet the parents
- Make the guest list & set the budget
- Pick the date
- Don't forget the three C's
Your parents—and any children you may have from a previous union—should hear the news first. Then comes other relatives and close friends. Whether you do it in person or over the phone, do it yourself. Those closest to you will no doubt be hurt to hear the news second hand. Never announce an engagement until a former union has been dissolved, whether by divorce or annulment.
Your engagement should not come as a shock to your parents. Obviously, it's a good idea to get acquainted while you're dating. Your engagement certainly signifies a change in the relationship with your fiancé's/fiancée's parents. Now's the time to lay the foundation for a positive bond with your future in-laws. This is also when the parents of the bride meet-or at least make contact with-the parents of the groom. Traditionally, the groom's parents call the bride's parents to introduce themselves and extend an invitation to meet. However, that first contact can also be made by the bride's parents.
Your budget is the determining factor for the shape, size and fanfare of your wedding. But you cannot decide the type of wedding you will have until you have some idea of the size of the guest list. The easiest way to cut costs is to narrow your guest list.
The time of year you have your wedding is a key consideration. The most popular months for weddings are June, September, August, May, October and July. Popular wedding sites will be at a premium in terms of availability and cost during these times. Those who want an outdoor wedding will want to be married in the warmer months. If guests will have to travel to attend your wedding, you'll want to select a date that's convenient for traveling.
Not clarity, cut or color. We're talking about consideration, communication, and compromise. How you handle your wedding plans can foretell how you will handle the other major decision of your life together. Along with the stress that will accompany the big decisions and little details should be a sense of adventure and fun. You are celebrating one of the most joyous milestones in your lives. Do so with a focus on consideration, communication, and compromise and the process is sure to be smoother.
