Getting engaged can be a lot of things. It’s exciting and lovely but also stressful and hectic at the same time. Either way, it’s a big life change, bigger than I thought it would be actually. Here’s the major changes I’ve noticed in my first couple of months of being engaged to Josh.
10 Things That Happen When You Get Engaged
1) You feel like such an adult
I’m sorry but when did I become old enough to get married? Yeah I know, 30 isn’t that young, babes. But I think this is the most grown-up I’ve felt. When I first started telling people I was engaged it kinda felt like when you get pretend engaged when you’re 8, y’know?
But nope, I’m a fully functioning adult in a long-term relationship and yes, I am indeed getting married.
2) You get lots of lovely congratulations
As soon as you break the news to friends and family, I think you expect congratulations, but I didn’t imagine it would feel like it was my birthday! Which it definitely did. People pop round to visit all the time and bring cards and flowers. They’re all really happy for you and want to see the ring and OMG SO EXCITING.
It’s just really lovely tbh.
3) You and your fiance perfect reciting the engagement story
Obviously there’s two sides to every engagement story. And as you start telling people how it all happened, you and your betrothed start getting really good at reciting it perfectly. He says a bit, you say a bit, you pause for laughter at the same part. (Just my engagement that incited laughter?) It’s actually quite cute that you’re such a good team.
4) You suddenly become addicted to Pinterest
I really like Pinterest as it is. I pin destinations I want to travel to and outfits I wish I could pull off. But now I’ve entered the world of bride-to-be, Pinterest has a whole new function.
It’s wedding planning central and the perfect place to find DIY decorations, cool cakes and unique wedding dresses. I honestly can’t get enough. I haven’t started actually doing anything practical for my wedding but dreaming on Pinterest is really great.
5) You have to paint your nails all the time
I’m not a big nail-painter. It chips and I CBA to fix it and I look a mess, so I just tend not to bother. But when people are asking to see your hand every day so they can get a good look at the ring? Yeah, nail upkeep is essential.
Luckily it’s 2 months down the line and I can get away with not doing my nails that often anymore. But boy, those initial few weeks were high maintenance.
6) Your guest list is way bigger than you thought it would be
The first step that people say you should do when you first start planning your wedding, is to write the guest list.
I always imagined I’d have a really small and intimate wedding. But when you start writing the guest list, that goes straight out the window. It was way longer than I expected when we counted both of our families and our inner circle of friends. Who knew we knew so many people?!
7) Everyone has an opinion about your big day
Even though it’s an exciting time for you and bae, it’s also an exciting time for your friends and family. They’re all excited for you which is really lovely. But it also means they have some opinions on what you should do. Opinions about where you should have it, who should be in the wedding party and when it should be. Opinions on whether you should have an open bar… y’know because they’re not paying for it.
It’s all because they care, you just have to remember that it’s your day and you’ll do exactly what’s right for the two of you.
8) You don’t know how you’re going to afford it
There’s nothing quite like bursting the engagement bubble with the realisation that the average wedding in the UK costs £27,000.
LOL. I mean you have to laugh. There’s currently £34.27 in my savings account.
I’m still working on a plan for our wedding budget, but I think it’s worth remembering that you only have to spend as much as you want on your wedding day. A registry office and your mum’s garden for the Reception is always an option and at the end of the day your priorities have to be marrying your best friend and having a lovely time with your favourite people.
9) But you officially have an excuse to not go out
A social event that you don’t really fancy but usually feel obliged to attend?
Sorry we can’t come, we’re staying in at the moment to save for a wedding.
Perfect. Excuse. For. Anything.
10) Although stressful, you couldn’t be happier about this next chapter
Whether you’re blissfully happy or stressed about planning and budgeting, either way it feels like a new chapter in your life. It’s a brand new adventure and a part of your life you’ll remember forever. Just remember to enjoy it!
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