Ladies, we need to talk. If you’re reading this, chances are your Pinterest wedding board is overflowing, your mom keeps dropping not-so-subtle hints about grandbabies, and your besties are side-eyeing your ring finger every time you reach for your latte. You know the proposal is coming, whether it’s a total surprise (yeah right) or you picked out the ring yourself, it’s on the horizon. But before you dive headfirst into the deep, sparkling abyss of wedding planning, let’s hit pause.
Because once you say yes, it’s all venue scouting, guest list debates (why does your fiancé insist on inviting his entire fantasy football league?), and crafting the perfect Instagram caption to announce your engagement. So before all that, you deserve some legendary, pre-fiancé adventures. Let’s go.
1. The Solo Weekend Getaway (Because You’re Still You)
Before you become one half of a “we,” go on a me trip. Book a ticket to a city you’ve always wanted to explore, stay in an aesthetic Airbnb, and roam aimlessly without consulting anyone about where to eat. Savor that glorious, self-indulgent freedom. This is your chance to eat at that hipster brunch spot without hearing complaints about the portion size. Take the selfies. Romanticize your life. Remind yourself that you are your own person, fiancé or not.
2. The Ultimate Girls’ Trip (No Fiancés Allowed)
Gather your girls, pack the matching pajamas (because, priorities), and hit the road. Whether it’s a wild weekend in Vegas, a beachy escape to Miami, or a cozy cabin in the mountains, this is your last hurrah before the group chat morphs into wedding planning chaos. Get a little too tipsy, dance like nobody’s watching (but also, document everything for the inevitable Instagram recap), and make questionable decisions that will become inside jokes for years.
3. The “Say Yes to the Dress” But for Life Decisions Trip
Take a weekend to do something totally out of character. Go skydiving, get a spontaneous tattoo (okay, maybe a temporary one), or try that improv comedy class. This is your pre-engagement bucket list moment. If you can jump out of a plane, you can absolutely handle seating chart drama and mother-in-law diplomacy.
4. The No-Social-Media Retreat
Before your engagement announcement inevitably breaks the internet, take a little detox. Plan a weekend where you put your phone on airplane mode, live in the moment, and resist the urge to document every aesthetically pleasing moment. Go on a hike, journal your thoughts (because you’re deep like that), and remind yourself that real life isn’t just about the ‘gram. It’s about you and your happiness, not just the engagement ring close-up with “OMG YES!!!” as the caption.
5. The “Learn a New Skill That’s Not Wedding Related” Challenge
Once you’re engaged, it’s all about wedding DIY projects and learning how to decipher linen samples (what even is ‘dusty rose’?!). So before that, take on a totally random skill: learn how to make sushi, take a boxing class, or finally master parallel parking (or at least try). Because let’s be real, developing an unexpected talent will make you feel like the main character, and also give you something to talk about other than floral arrangements.
The Bottom Line
Getting engaged is a big deal, but so is living your best, adventure-filled life before the ring slides onto your finger. So go, make some questionable choices, laugh until you cry, and create memories that don’t require a plus one. Then, when you’re ready to say yes, you’ll do so knowing you’ve already said yes to a life well-lived.
What adventure are you checking off before the proposal? Spill the tea in the comments!