Ladies, we need to talk. You’ve been subtly dropping hints about your dream ring for months. Your Pinterest board titled Future Mrs. [Insert His Last Name] has more pins than an Olympic sewing competition. And let’s not even get started on how many times you’ve “accidentally” wandered into a jewelry store just to “browse.”
The proposal is coming. You can feel it in your perfectly manicured bones. Your mom keeps giving you that knowing smile. Your best friend’s been suspiciously dodging your texts. And your boyfriend? Well, he’s been stress-sweating every time he checks his bank account.
Before you officially say yes and dive headfirst into wedding planning (aka: battling your mom over napkin colors and surviving the war zone of seating charts), there are a few adventures you need to embark on first. Because trust me, once that ring is on your finger, the where’s my invite? texts from long-lost cousins will start rolling in, and your free time will be consumed by cake tastings (okay, that part isn’t so bad). So, let’s get to it!
1. Go on a Spontaneous Weekend Trip
Once you’re engaged, everything becomes a planned event. Date night? Scheduled three weeks in advance. Wedding dress shopping? Your mom and future mother-in-law have already synced their calendars. Take advantage of this pre-engagement era by packing a bag, hopping in the car, and heading to literally anywhere without an itinerary. Drive until you find a town with a name so weird it makes you laugh (looking at you, Truth or Consequences, NM), and spend a weekend making memories that don’t require a seating chart.
2. Try an Outrageous Adventure Sport
Skydiving, bungee jumping, white-water rafting, now’s the time to prove that you’re as adventurous as your Hinge profile once claimed. Once you’re engaged, people expect you to be responsible and careful because you have “a wedding to think about.” Translation: your mom will physically restrain you from anything that might result in a wedding dress + cast combo in your photos. So go ahead, jump out of that plane, just maybe not the week before the proposal.
3. Have a “Yes” Night
Say yes to EVERYTHING for an entire night. Your best friend dares you to sing karaoke? You’re belting out “Since U Been Gone.” Someone suggests an impromptu dance battle? You’re challenging strangers in the middle of a bar. Once you’re engaged, your yeses will be reserved for registry decisions and wedding RSVPs, so live it up while you can. Bonus points if you document the night and save it for when your future kids ask if you were ever cool.
4. Go Off the Grid
Turn off your phone, delete your social media apps for a few days, and disappear (responsibly, of course). Once you’re engaged, every single life update will be expected to be posted, captioned, and hashtagged accordingly. #HePutARingOnIt. Enjoy a few days of pure, blissful anonymity, no notifications, no pressure, no “so when’s the wedding?” DMs. Just you, the real world, and the sweet relief of not having to craft the perfect Instagram announcement.
5. Master the Art of Awkward Conversations
Because once you’re engaged, oh honey, they’re coming. Your great-aunt will grill you on when you’re having babies before you’ve even picked a venue. Your future MIL will have thoughts about your wedding dress that you didn’t ask for. And someone is going to ask if you’re “sure” he’s The One, usually right after you’ve posted your ring pic. Start practicing now: master the nod-and-smile, the polite topic change, and the laugh it off while dying inside maneuver.
Final Thoughts (Before Your Life is Taken Over by Wedding Planning)
Getting engaged is magical, exciting, and also a tiny bit overwhelming. So before you step into the wedding whirlwind, take some time to embrace the adventure, the freedom, and the blissful ignorance of not knowing what a florist markup is. Go make some ridiculous memories, because soon enough, you’ll be picking out his and hers towel sets like a true adult.
Now tell me, what’s the wildest thing you did before getting engaged? Spill the tea in the comments!