“She Said Yes!” Announcing your Engagement
I don’t know about you, but the week of Christmas had my Facebook feed blowing up. No, everyone wasn’t bragging about their favorite gift or heartwarming holiday stories that had been shared with them already. Instead, they were all announcing something big: engagements galore! Photo after photo showing off newly adorned ring fingers reminded me that, of course, it ‘tis the season for engagements.
It also had me marveling at some of the more creative announcements I saw; those that went beyond the simple “She Said Yes!” and got a little more imaginative about notifying friends and family. I loved seeing the thought that went into some of those announcements, and it had me yearning for more of the same. So much heart went into the actual proposal, why not bask in that excitement a little bit longer and make your official announcement just as a special?
Photography
Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to rent a sky writer or take out ad space in the local paper. It doesn’t have to be that involved. But there are a few ways to make your announcement stand out – starting with a photographer. We have discussed this before, but I am going to reiterate it again: you will never regret hiring a professional to covertly capture your proposal. Those pictures will be priceless when your new fiancé finally sees them, catching the emotions that simply can’t be replicated later on. And if you have actual photos of your engagement to share, your announcement becomes that much more powerful for the friends and family who weren’t around when you actually popped the question.
Video
Maybe video is more your thing though. If so, check out theknot.com – they have video ecards now to help you in your announcement. Or maybe you just want to put together a 7 second vine video, re-enacting the engagement scene or spoofing what the next 50 years of your lives together might look like. Anything sweet, sappy or funny to capture the attention of your friends and relatives will do. Just pull out the camera, and start filming.
Party
Perhaps you have a big family event coming up soon anyway. If so, hold on to your news for just a little longer and take full advantage of having everyone together. Grab one of your younger cousins and tell them the news first – making them feel extra special as the MC of your big engagement announcement. Or make a show of flaunting your engagement ring around, waiting to see who the first to notice will be. If you’re feeling really brave, bust out singing “Going to the Chapel” together at the top of your lungs, incorporating a few choreographed dance moves just for added effect.
Website
Maybe you want to put your wedding website together first, telling the tale of your engagement and sending the link to everyone you know with a simple “You Will Want to Check This Out” subject line. Or you could cater to your talents, baking a wedding cake replica to serve at your next group meal, painting a photo of your new ring or penning a sonnet describing what will now be an eternal love. Putting a little of your own personality into the announcement never hurts, and it makes it your own – it allows that moment to truly reflect who you are individually and as a couple.
So get creative. Put your heads together and make your first act as an engaged couple about coming up with the perfect announcement. There are so few occasions in life when you will have news that will universally make so many people happy, so enjoy it.
And while you’re at it, take plenty of photos!