My now wife, then girlfriend, had dated for 7 years before I had the courage to propose to her. Iām not sure why I waited so long, perhaps it was a feeling of insecurity or maybe commitment.
Just Engaged
Everything for after you've said yes. The honest reads on the decisions that set the tone, and stories from couples who've been where you are.
You got engaged. For about a week that's the whole story, and then the questions start: when, where, how many, how much. It can feel like the fun got buried under a hundred decisions overnight.
It doesn't have to. Start with the first real decision, then take the rest one honest read at a time. And when you want a break from the planning, read how other couples actually did it.
You remember the nerves. You remember the yes. Tell us how it happened. We're all dying to know, and we read every one.
Tell Us Your StoryEvery Story Starts With a Yes
More storiesThe moment was a blur, but you tell the story for years. Read the ones that went to plan, and the ones that nearly didn't.
Well it all started with my Boyfriend (now Fiancee) planning a trip for the three of us (Our son,Him and I) to go visit the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne Fl.
We knew we were the ones for each other from the first night we met, when I wished on a shooting star to keep him forever. A week later we set a date for our wedding.
In January of 2009, my boyfriend of 2 years, popped the question in front of his whole entire family. I picked out the ring a month earlier but never knew when he was going to do it.
Show Us the Ring
See all on the registerRings readers were actually given, numbered in the order they arrive. If you have a photo of yours on your phone, that is all it takes.
Wedding Articles
All wedding articlesThe rest of the early decisions, and how to make them.
A good planner earns their fee in saved deposits and unfrazzled Saturdays. When one is worth it, when it isn't, and what they really do all day.
Ready to celebrate your engagement? Get advice on timing, guest lists, venues, and how to throw an engagement party that feels personal and festive.
The guest list is where the family politics start. Setting the numbers, handling the relatives who assume they're invited, and still enjoying the day.
The questions you're already asking
Who pays for what?
The old rule, that the bride's family pays, is mostly gone. Now it's whoever can and wants to, split however feels fair. Have the money talk early and you dodge the awkward surprises later.
Full guide: The Wedding Budget āDo we need a wedding planner?
Not always. If you've got the time and you enjoy the logistics, you can run it yourself and keep full control. A planner earns their keep when you're short on time, marrying far from home, or you'd rather not haggle with suppliers. And the discounts they land often cover their own fee.
Full guide: Do you need a planner? āHow do we handle the guest list?
It's the part most couples find hardest, usually because of family pressure. Invite only the people you both want there and have both met. Draw the list first, then find a venue that fits it, padded about ten percent since some always drop out.
Full guide: The Guest List ā