So, you’re about to get engaged. Or at least you think you are. Your Pinterest boards are meticulously organized (and have been since 2013), your nails are always suspiciously fresh, and you’ve mastered the art of subtly flashing your ring finger in case this is the moment. Meanwhile, your family has evolved from casually asking “When’s he gonna pop the question?” to full-blown intervention mode: “Do we need to call him?”
Girl, it’s time to get serious. Before you start saying “YES” to the dress, the venue, and the slightly overpriced floral arrangements, let’s talk about what really matters: making sure you’re actually ready for engagement. Here’s your ultimate pre-engagement checklist, because love is magical, but so is not panicking when your future MIL suggests a joint family Christmas.
1. The ‘Are We Even On the Same Planet?’ Talk
Love is great, but so is knowing that your partner doesn’t think your dog should sleep outside. Before you say “forever,” make sure you’ve covered the real stuff: future goals, finances, kids (or furbabies), and, most importantly, whether pineapple belongs on pizza. Because if he thinks olives are a superior topping? That’s a red flag, bestie.
2. The Instagram Announcement Game Plan
Let’s be real. The second he gets down on one knee, your brain is already composing the caption. Do you go classic (“Forever starts now 💍”), ironic (“About time, Steve”), or full-on poetic (“He asked, I said duh”)? Whatever you choose, plan it now, because once the ring is on, you’ll be too busy dodging a thousand notifications from people you haven’t talked to since high school.
3. The Future In-Laws Readiness Test
Do his parents love you? Great. Do they really love you, or do they just tolerate you because they’re afraid of their son’s bad taste? If your future MIL still calls his ex “such a sweetheart,” proceed with caution. And if his dad refers to you as “the young lady” even after two years? You may need to initiate Operation: Win Over The In-Laws (or at least find an ally in the family group chat).
4. The “Are We Both Adults?” Check
Have you and your partner successfully put together an IKEA shelf without it ending in tears? Can you both grocery shop without buying exclusively snacks? Have you ever actually discussed a budget without one of you saying, “We’ll figure it out later”? If the answer is “no” to any of the above, you might need a few more adulting practice rounds before signing up for forever.
5. The Friend Group Vibe Check
Your best friends will be your hype squad and your therapists throughout this process. But before you get engaged, make sure they’re truly supportive. Are they genuinely excited for you, or are they secretly still in their “all men are trash” phase? If your bestie responds to your engagement hints with, “Ugh, another one bites the dust,” you may want to reconsider who’s catching the bouquet.
6. The ‘I’m Ready for the Wedding, Not Just the Party’ Reality Check
Yes, weddings are fun. Champagne, cake, and dance-floor chaos? Iconic. But marriage is not just one big party with a DIY photo booth. Are you ready for morning breath, splitting the last slice of pizza, and figuring out taxes together? If that sounds equally exciting to you as the wedding hashtag (#HappilyEverAnderson), then you’re good to go.
Final Thoughts: You Got This, Girl!
At the end of the day, engagement isn’t just about getting the perfect ring selfie (though let’s be honest, that’s part of it). It’s about making sure you’re walking into this next chapter with open eyes, a solid foundation, and ideally, a fiancé who also understands why Target runs are a sacred bonding activity.
Now, spill the tea: What’s on your pre-engagement checklist? Drop your thoughts in the comments because we need to know, how are you really prepping for this next big step?