You meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you get down on one knee, you propose, they say yes and you live happily ever after. Sounds simple, right?

The truth is, your engagement process can be lengthy and complex. Maintaining a level of excitement throughout the intervening period between proposal and wedding isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve broken down everything you need to consider to plan the perfect engagement.

Engagement ring in banksia

How to Plan the Perfect Engagement

The proposal

First things first: the ring. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to finding the perfect engagement ring. You can browse an array of engagement rings from Larsen Jewellery to give yourself the best chance to find something they’ll love. Once you’ve secured the perfect piece of jewellery, it’s time to plan your proposal. Some things to consider before proposing include:

• The likelihood of a positive response.
• The perfect location – it could be somewhere with sentimental value for your relationship, or simply a picturesque venue.
• The weather forecast – if there’s a high chance of rain, ensure you have an indoor backup plan.
• Discuss with the family – if your partner’s family is more old-school, or you think this is a touch your partner would appreciate, having a conversation with your partner’s family is a good idea.
• Optional extras include professional photography or an immediate surprise engagement party.

Engagement ring perched between heels

Engagement party

You can choose to hold your engagement party as a surprise event to cap off the day of your proposal. More traditionally, you can hold the event in the weeks following the proposal.

Orthodoxy suggests engagement parties should be held by the parents of the bride, but these days there’s really no need to follow such a tradition. Whoever’s willing to put their hands up and has access to an appropriate property is the perfect choice.

Remember that anyone you invite to the engagement party should also be a wedding guest. Beyond that, the rules for your engagement party are pretty much up to you! Choose a form of a food service that works for you, be it finger foods or a sit-down meal. Fill up the fridge with your favourite beverages, and don’t forget to include fun engagement party games like the newlywed game, “how well do you know the bride and groom?” and a plastic ring hunt.

Guests looking at phone together

Wedding planning

Once your proposal and engagement party are in the books, it’s time to get down to the serious business of wedding planning. Splitting this burden of wedding planning very much depends on the nature of your relationship.

Many couples include one person who has been obsessively dreaming of their wedding day since they were a child. Often, this individual will be happy to take the lead on the wedding planning. Other couples may require a more collaborative approach.

Either way, it’s important you outline at the beginning of the wedding planning process how involved each member of the relationship is going to be. When in doubt, aim for as close to a 50-50 split as possible to keep things fair.

Here are some additional tips to keep your wedding planning process smooth:

• Make the guest list a top priority. Your guest list is crucial to deciding other factors of your wedding like your venue. If you feel your expenses ballooning too much, cut down on the list.
• Avoid problematic dates where there are major concerts or conferences in town.
• Consider enlisting the services of a professional wedding planner.
• Keep a close eye on the weather forecast.
• Read the reviews – ensure your wedding vendors come well-recommended.

That’s just a small taste of everything that goes into wedding planning. You can read our full 12 month wedding planning checklist here.

Bride and groom amongst the vines at Sneaky’s

Keeping the spark alive

It’s no secret that wedding planning can be a stressful experience, and it can put some strain on your relationship. But your engagement should be a magical time in your relationship. Here are some tips to keep your relationship going strong during your engagement and not let your worries get the better of you.

• Don’t skimp on date nights.
• Make a conscious effort to constantly check in with one another and constantly communicate.
• Ensure you are fairly splitting the engagement duties.
• Allow each other to have some alone time – absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all.
• Stay adventurous and always try new things together.

Bride and groom splashing one another in Lake Louise

The wedding

You’ve made it! The day you’ve been dreaming of is finally here. When it comes to the wedding day itself, the key is to stay in the moment. Truly enjoy every single moment, make your rounds, and above all really feel the love you have for your partner. Next stop: honeymoon!

There’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect engagement. The same tip for your wedding day applies throughout your engagement. From proposal to planning to saying your vows, try your best to enjoy every one of these critical milestones in your relationship and in your life.