The Laings Journal

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You’re engaged! Now what?

He proposed! You’re engaged! You’re overwhelmed with excitement and can’t wait to tell the world. So what happens after you’ve said yes? Here’s our list of 10 things to do after he’s popped the question.

1/Share your happy news
Once you’ve recovered from the excitement of the proposal it’s time to share the news with your loved ones. Your parents should be the first to know (if they don’t already) so pick up the phone and plan a visit to show off the ring. It probably seems easier to send a quick tweet or post a status update but your relatives won’t thank you if they’re the last to know. Feel free to go online once you’ve had a proper chat with close family and friends.

 2/ Get your ring sized
Try to get your ring sized as soon as possible. It wouldn’t be the best start to your engagement if the ring fell off your finger an hour after the proposal. Pop into Laings to have your ring size carefully measured so that your new sparkler fits you comfortably. The resizing process can take time so be patient and remember the most important thing is to have a ring that fits you perfectly.

3/ Get your ring insured
By now your ring should be sized and sitting proudly on your finger. Your next task is to get it insured in case bad luck strikes. If you have home owner’s insurance the best idea is to call your provider and add the ring to your policy. Ask your new fiancé to keep all associated paperwork in a safe place to ensure insurance valuations are accurate.

4/ Set an approximate date
If you’re newly engaged setting an exact date might seem premature so have a discussion about the time of year you’d like to get married so you can field date related questions. Something as vague as ‘We’d like a Summer wedding’ or ‘We’re hoping for the end of next year’ is enough to give people an idea of your timescales.

5/ Buy a wedding planner
Stay organised with a notebook, calendar or folder that you can fill with ideas, cuttings from magazines and wedding fair flyers that have caught your eye. When it comes to making bookings with suppliers you’ll have all the correct contact details in one place. Plus your planner will jog your memory if you’ve forgotten anything and help you visualise the overall theme of your big day.

6/ Set up a savings account
Weddings can be hugely expensive so start saving now to relieve the pressure later. Set up a joint savings account that you can both pay into each month and watch your wedding fund grow. Use this money to pay for wedding related things which will help you avoid costly credit card bills at the start of married life.

7/ Compile a guest list
Begin by asking both sets of parents for a preliminary list of who they would ideally like to invite. Make sure they prioritise their list into two tiers so that you can edit and trim guest numbers as you see fit. Remind them that this is a provisional list and attendees may change depending on the capacity of your dream venue.

8/ Consider venues
When you close your eyes and imagine your wedding day what do you see? Whether you’re dreaming of a grand stately home, a family garden party or soft foreign sands you should spend time considering the type of wedding you’d like to have. If a relaxed informal day appeals to you then a rustic theme might be more suitable than all-out glam. Whatever your style make sure you research different venues in your area or destination weddings and work out which suits you both best.

9/ Choose the bridal party
Once you’ve formed an impression of your ideal wedding you should think about who you’d like to include in your wedding party. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen will be invaluable in the lead up to your wedding offering much needed support and advice. The earlier you ask them the question the sooner they can help with logistics.

Bridesmaid GiftsThank them for being involved by giving each person a special gift either before or after your wedding day. In our experience, jewellery is a popular present for bridesmaids that can be worn on the day itself and engraved with a personal inscription or your wedding date. We have a huge selection of bridal and bridesmaids’ jewellery to suit different budgets. Our wedding experts will help you choose the perfect jewellery to compliment your outfit by taking every detail into consideration including the style of your dress and any other wedding accessories.

10/ Shop for wedding rings
Set aside a few hours one weekend to look at wedding rings together. Some couples choose matching wedding rings whilst others prefer rings that suit their individual style and tastes. When you visit Laings our wedding jewellery specialists will ask which metal you prefer – silver, gold, titanium or platinum. Your budget will also be taken into consideration and your personal style, for example you may prefer a classic silver band or something more modern in platinum.  Remember to take your lifestyle into account when buying your rings and don’t be afraid to try on different styles to find one that’s right for you.

Wedding Rings

At this point your mind will be kicking into wedding overdrive and you’ll be wistfully flicking through piles of bridal magazines. Amidst the flurry of excitement take some time out with your fiancé to have dinner or see a film and avoid talking wedding logistics for an evening. If wedding details begin to consume your every waking moment it’s time to take a step back and gain some perspective. Planning should be fun so remember to enjoy it!