Everyone loves it when couples decide to get engaged and these days the news carries fast.
A priority for couples when announcing the news is to tell the parents first.
Visit them if they are close or phone or Skype them if they live at a distance. Some grooms-to-be still enjoy following the age-old tradition of firstly asking the prospective father-in-law for his daughter's hand in marriage. The dads get a kick out of it too!
It's important that the couple is there together to share the news with both sets of parents.
Then come the siblings, the grandparents and other close relatives. Phone calls to close friends generate equal excitement and emotion.
Children from previous marriages should be the very first to know, having been prepared for this possibility.
Today the good news can be transmitted across the world in seconds, by email, text message and social networks.
Couples can also set up their own website. This can be used in an informal way to announce the engagement, after letting friends and family know the URL address, and to keep the wedding guests updated on wedding plans.
And an announcement of the engagement in the local newspaper remains as effective and popular as it did a century ago!
And so the plans for the wedding begin.
ENGAGEMENT PARTIES
Often couples, parents or both, arrange a party to either announce or celebrate the engagement with friends and family. In turn, the engaged couple may throw a party to introduce their various friends.
Remember, this is a happy time and many people like to share in the joy.
Even though less emphasis is put on the concept of engagement gifts today many people still enjoy sending a card and a thoughtful gift. They will always be appreciated!
TIP: Even if the big day is 12 months or more away there are details that need addressing almost immediately, especially if the wedding is to be held some time between January and April.
