Planning an engagement? Here is a comprehensive guide that covers everything couples need to know about planning an engagement from start to finish.

Before the wedding bells can start ringing, you first need to get your wedding engagement in order. The engagement period is one of the most critical times for soon-to-be-wed couples, and extra attention to detail is necessary for the planning to flow smoothly.

Once the “just-got-engaged” high settles, couples may find themselves quickly overwhelmed by all of the preparations necessary before the big day. From the proposal to the altar, it helps to have a guide on hand to help you do things the right way.

The Proposal

Eventually, if you’ve been dating long enough (a window that’s different for every couple), the question of taking things to the next level will inevitably come up. When you and your partner decide to spend the rest of your lives together in marriage, well, it’s time for a proposal! However, there are a number of things to consider before popping the question. It’s (hopefully) a one-time affair, so you want to get it perfect!

Finding the Perfect Engagement Ring

The perfect proposal calls for a perfect engagement ring. There are so many different styles and designs to choose from nowadays—how do you pick just one? As a general guideline, choose an engagement ring that compliments your joint personalities and tastes. Here are some of the most popular engagement ring styles on the market today, for some inspiration.

• Halo Rings. Brilliant and beautiful, a halo engagement ring is one of the more stylish options. Considered a more traditional format, halo engagement rings feature one large stone at the center, surrounded by smaller stones. This makes the ring appear brighter and larger—perfect for couples who enjoy all things lavish and elegant.
• Solitaire Rings. Perhaps the most classic style, solitaire engagement rings are simple yet sophisticated. This format showcases the best features of a single chosen gemstone and allows it to shine on its own. This is perfect for couples who are more minimalist and down-to-earth.
• Straight Rings. Add a little more sparkle to the classic solitaire by choosing a straight engagement ring. Straight rings feature a row of stones framing the main stone, making it shinier and more prominent. This style is perfect for couples who want something a little flashier, while still keeping it crisp and clean.
• Two-Tone Rings. Spice things up a bit with a two-tone engagement ring. These rings feature a blend of two colors, making them pop more than other styles. This is perfect for couples who want a flashier, more colorful aesthetic to celebrate their commitment to one another.

Scouting a Great Proposal Location

So you’ve got the tool for the job; now where will you do it? Part of any engagement planning process includes picking out the perfect proposal spot. A good location is, above all, someplace that is special and meaningful to both of you. It might also be a spot that reflects certain interests or hobbies. Either way, the venue is an important part of what makes a perfect proposal.

Stumped for choices? When in doubt, you can always fall back on the scenic and romantic to seal the deal. For example, if you want to recreate a fairytale vibe, why not try an actual castle? Hammond Castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts, is a dreamy cliffside castle overlooking the wide vista of the Atlantic Ocean. Can you think of anything more stunning?

Likewise, if your partner is a big fan of Disney romance, why not take them to where all the magic happens to pop the question? A proposal under the shadow of the majestic Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, is sure to make anyone swoon. You can even get the Disney cast and crew in on the proposal to make the moment even more magical.

You don’t have to go for extravagance, however. At the end of the day, there’s little as romantic as the Great Outdoors. Consider the roaming flower fields of the International Peace Garden, on the North Dakota-Manitoba border. The garden showcases flora of all kinds and has a flower clock made of over 150,000 blossoms. Or, head for the ancient western beauty of Redwood National State Park in northern California for a secluded, personal touch. To top it off, you can go on a nature hike together after to enjoy the surroundings!

Time To Propose!

With the ring and venue locked down, all that’s left is to pop the question. There are countless creative, original ways to propose nowadays. From simply getting on one knee in a romantic setting to orchestrating a lively flash mob, there is no shortage of ways to ask someone to get married.

For couples who value their privacy and intimacy, a romantic, candle-lit dinner at a cozy restaurant may be the best choice or in an otherwise secluded setting. On the other hand, if you enjoy sharing your love loud and proud with the world, a public proposal with balloons, flowers, and confetti may be the way to go. Looking for something even grander? Consider hiring a skywriter to pop the question from the heavens!

The Engagement

Make The Engagement Announcement

When it comes to announcing the engagement, it is important to put certain people at the top of the list. For example, if you currently have children—together or from a previous relationship—they must be the first to know, as this will materially impact their lives. Give them ample time to take in the news; children may also need a little extra guidance and support during this time.

After your kids, it’s time to tell the immediate family and close friends. Do this before you put out your social media blast. While you two may be eager to share the news with the world right away, it’s only courteous that your ride-or-dies get to know the big news first. Your parents, grandparents, siblings, or best friends may be offended to find out from a Facebook post! This is a basic engagement etiquette concern.

Planning Your Engagement Party

You’ve made the proposal, said yes, and let everyone know. Now it’s time to celebrate! Why not throw an engagement party?

Your engagement is a crucial planning period for the wedding first and foremost. But it should also be an exhilarating time to share with one another and bond over. An engagement party lets you do both of these things. It can serve as a test-run for wedding ideas, and also a celebration of your love.

The Engagement Party Guest List

When planning an engagement party, consider the guest list first. Your guest list for the engagement party should be a little tighter than the eventual wedding list, for practical reasons. You should not be spending as much on your engagement party as on the wedding itself; evaluate your party budget and the venue’s accessibility and capacity. Guests should be able to travel to the venue easily—plan the event well enough in advance for guests to free up their schedules.

For a more convenient, economical, and accessible engagement party, consider going virtual. This eliminates the need for your and your guests to travel to the venue (an especially important consideration with the still-ongoing Covid-19 pandemic conditions). Instead, they can celebrate your engagement from the comfort of their homes. You can then think of more original ways to make the celebration interactive via the virtual space.

As a general rule, it is crucial to remember that the people you invite to your engagement party must also be invited to the wedding. This is why you plan your guest list in advance. It is also best practice to send engagement party invites well in advance of the date. This gives guests time to clear their schedules if they need to, so they are more likely to attend.

Pick The Perfect Engagement Party Theme

When it comes to planning your engagement party, the couple’s chosen theme does not necessarily have to match the wedding’s theme. Engagement parties happen much earlier than the wedding, and are their own entity; you might not even have an idea of your wedding theme yet! However, if you do, this is also a great way to test-run your wedding idea. Regardless of whether it matches the wedding, though, setting a theme for your engagement party can be helpful. It can assist you in narrowing down venue options, for example, and deciding on attire for the event.

Rustic and bohemian themes are incredibly popular for engagement parties, as they allow couples to lean into a DIY romance (and save some coin for the wedding!) while still looking chic and sophisticated. These themes share a lot of elements—think overgrown gardens, barns, reclaimed wood, fairy lights, and refurbished decor. Couples might also enjoy creating decorations together, as a bonding activity. Not to mention, you can probably repurpose some of the decors for the wedding!

If you’re looking to be more specific, consider planning your engagement party theme around the season. Spring, summer, autumn, winter: they all have their unique merits. For example, you can celebrate a summertime engagement with a cookout or pool party. Meanwhile, lean into winter with a stay in a cabin or ski chalet in the mountains.

Your engagement party, at its core, is a reflection of you two as a couple. If there’s a significant shared interest, like a TV show, film, literary, or musical fandom, consider incorporating it into your party theme. This is particularly meaningful if this shared love is what brought you two together.

The Engagement Party Menu

Food is one of the best ways to bring family and friends together. When planning your engagement party, you should match the menu with the theme and formality of the event. Also take care to accommodate guests, in case of any allergies or dietary restrictions.

Additionally, it is best practice to include an idea of the event’s menu in the invite, so guests know what to expect at the party. Consider also printing out menu cards that detail the different dishes served during the event.

What’s Your Engagement Party Itinerary?

There is no standard agenda for engagement parties, but proper planning would entail at least a basic structure. The engagement party is the perfect occasion for a couple’s family and friends to get to know one another before the big day—so make sure that the atmosphere is welcoming enough for guests to mingle!

Arrange your engagement itinerary with their venue and time in mind. Consider spaces in the scheduling for toasts, icebreakers, an open bar period, dancing, and perhaps a few engagement-themed games. You can make your engagement party as grand or as intimate as you’d like—but plan the activities accordingly.

The Engagement After-Party Agenda

Part of the engagement planning includes making after-party arrangements. It’s good practice to show your appreciation to your guests before the end of the event, especially since engagement parties are typically filled with your nearest and dearest.

Consider handing out some souvenirs at the end of the function to express your gratitude. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive! For example, simple handwritten “thank you” notes can go a long way. You can write personalized messages, for each guest, thanking them and reiterating how excited you are to see them on the big day.

Candles are another go-to souvenir! For weddings and engagement parties, couples can personalize giveaway candles according to theme or style. You can even choose a signature scent, and personalize the labels or design of the candle holder to fit the occasion.

Edible party favors are also a great idea. Consider making personalized cupcakes or cookies for the occasion, and give them out to guests after the party. Talk about a creative—and delicious—way to celebrate an engagement!

If you’re stumped for ways to express your gratitude, remember that a picture is worth a thousand words. A photo booth masterpiece would make the perfect keepsake to commemorate your engagement party! Consider installing a photo booth or hiring a photographer for the party, so guests can take pictures to celebrate the occasion.

After the Engagement Party, It’s Wedding Planning Time

Once the engagement party is over, it is time for couples to start planning their wedding. This is the next big step on your road to forever together, so you need to pay extra attention to the details to ensure the wedding goes off without a hitch.

Set Your Wedding Budget

Fixing a clear wedding budget can help newlyweds start their married life on the right financial footing. However, as with all things money-related, planning out a wedding budget can be both stressful and overwhelming. You and your partner need to discuss how much you are willing to spend on the event and ensure that all of the things you both want can be included.

When planning out the budget, there is a wide array of things to consider: the chosen venue, the number of guests, the type of food, decorations, entertainment—the list goes on. You may even opt to hire a wedding planner to get all of these details in order if it gets to be too complicated.

While a planner may cost a little extra, they can plan things out in a more organized fashion and guide you effortlessly through the wedding process. A skilled wedding planner also comes with the know-how to create an efficient budgeting scheme to ensure that you stay on track with your finances, while still pulling off a picture-perfect wedding.

The Wedding Guest List, Part Two

As mentioned earlier, everyone invited to the engagement party must also be invited to the actual wedding. Perhaps the biggest budgeting consideration is the guest list, so put extra care and effort into planning who and how many people to invite. Do be sure to plan out your entourage accordingly, as well.

Family members and close friends are almost always included in the wedding party. Key positions like “Best Man” and “Maid of Honor” are typically bestowed on a close sibling or a best friend—someone uniquely intimate with the groom or bride.

To make entourage invites a little more special, consider doing entourage proposals! Crafting quirky gift boxes, personalizing a pastry, or creating a signboard saying “Will you be my bridesmaid?” are just some ways to make the moment more significant.

Wedding Venue-Hunting Time!

Always, always keep your budget top of mind when shopping for a wedding venue. Your venue is likely to be one of the most expensive items on the list, so make sure it is appropriate for your needs.

If you’ve already decided on a theme for your wedding, choosing the venue becomes less challenging. For example, if you’re planning on a romantic, fairytale-themed wedding, you might opt to get married in a castle. If it’s a destination beach wedding, look for island resorts that can accommodate the whole party.

Especially in the circumstance of a venue with a hefty price tag, consider holding both the wedding and reception in the same space. This saves time and money since there’s no need for the party to travel from one site to another. This especially works for nontraditional venues—while a church probably can’t accommodate, a resort or hotel definitely can.

Many venues also have in-house catering services built into booking packages. Evaluate whether this might be a more economical decision than finding an independent caterer for the reception.

Save-the-Date Wedding Announcements

Like with your engagement party, when it comes to save-the-dates, it is important for couples to ensure that the wedding is far enough out for guests to clear their schedules. Scheduling a wedding too soon into the future may prevent important people from attending, especially if they already have prior commitments.

It is important for couples to keep aware of holidays and peak seasons, as well. Must-attend guests may be on vacation, and suppliers’ rates may be higher. It is recommended that you book suppliers well in advance, to get a more affordable rate on their services.

Feel free to use your save-the-dates as an opportunity to explore and get creative. For example, consider DIY, virtual, and other sustainable save-the-date ideas.

Afarose Is Your All-Purpose Wedding Styling Partner

With a mountain of details to tackle in a relatively short amount of time, engagement and wedding planning can quickly overwhelm the unprepared couple. However, with a little organization and forethought, arranging a picture-perfect celebration is not as hard as you might think.

While you’re booking venues, planning guest lists, and arranging food and decor, don’t forget about the outfits! Your engagement and wedding are one-time affairs: you want to look your best. Consider shopping with online wedding dress boutique Afarose to build truly one-of-a-kind showstoppers for all your wedding-related events.

Afarose makes all attire to order, so you can be sure of a perfect fit. And the eCommerce model means that, without the overhead expenses of a physical store, you get quality gowns at a fraction of the price! Brides, bridesmaids, and guests alike are sure to find stunning outfits for the big day.

Book a virtual styling appointment today to find your perfect wedding outfit!