Have you been proposed to? 5 things to do when someone proposes.

#5 Things to Do (and Not Do) When You Get Proposed

Congratulations! You've reached that moment romantic comedies have been promising us for decades. Your partner, on one knee (or maybe in a more original and chaotic way, which is also perfectly fine), has popped the question. The ring sparkles, tears (or nervous laughter) flow, and suddenly you realize your life is about to change.

But what comes after the "I do!"? Between the excitement, the selfies with the ring, and the calls to your mom, there's a whirlwind of feelings and thoughts. It's a unique moment, full of joy, but it can also be overwhelming. If you feel like you've been thrown onto an emotional roller coaster without a seatbelt, relax. Take a deep breath. We're here to guide you, like that older sister who's been through it all and gives you the best advice with a glass of wine in hand.

In this article, we're going to break down the 5 most important things you should do (and, above all, not do) right after you get engaged. We'll give you a practical guide with a touch of humor to help you navigate these first hours and days with the grace of a Disney princess and the level-headedness of a CEO. Get ready to laugh, reflect, and, most importantly, enjoy this very special moment without losing your mind in the process.

1. Live in the moment (and turn off your phone for a while)

Congratulations, you're engaged! First things first: savor this moment. You've said "yes" to spending the rest of your life with the person you love. It's an incredibly personal and intimate moment between the two of you. Before the outside world finds out and the avalanche of congratulations, questions, and unsolicited opinions begins, take some time just for the two of you.

Look into each other's eyes, laugh, cry if you need to. Hug each other tightly and remember why you've come this far. This moment is the seed of your future marriage, and it deserves to be treated with the magic it deserves.

The Temptation of Social Media

We live in the age of "if it's not on Instagram, it didn't happen." The temptation to pull out your phone, take a perfect picture of the ring with your freshly done manicure (if you're lucky enough to have one), and post it with a witty caption is enormous. And it's understandable—you want to shout your happiness from the rooftops!

But think carefully. Once you hit "post," the bubble of privacy will burst. Your phone will start buzzing nonstop with notifications. Family, friends, school acquaintances you haven't seen in ten years... everyone will want to know the details. And while it's wonderful to share the joy, this bombardment can steal the peace of your moment.

Tip: Wait. Wait an hour, two, or even until the next day. Enjoy the dinner, the walk, the conversation. Make love, order champagne, talk about how you imagine your future. Create a memory that's just for you, without filters or likes. When you decide to share it, do so calmly, not impulsively.

Call Your Inner Circle First

Before making the announcement public, there's an unwritten protocol that will save you from future family drama. Make a mental list of the most important people in your lives: parents, siblings, grandparents, and best friends. These people wouldn't appreciate hearing such important news through a Facebook post.

Call them. Yes, that thing we mostly use for takeout these days. Hearing their excitement live is a thousand times more rewarding than reading a comment. Plus, you'll earn extra points for being thoughtful.

2. Don't Compare Your Proposal to TikTok

Here's one of the golden rules for marriage survival in the 21st century. Right after you get engaged, you'll probably start seeing proposals everywhere. Suddenly, your algorithm will bombard you with videos of men who have rented a castle, hired a symphony orchestra, and trained pigeons to form a heart in the sky.

You'll see proposals on a mountaintop in Peru, under the Northern Lights in Iceland, or with a flash mob in the middle of Times Square. And it's easy for a toxic thought to creep into your mind: "Why wasn't mine like that?"

Hold on! Your proposal was yours. Unique. Authentic. It was planned by the person who knows you better than anyone, with their resources, their personality, and their nerves. Maybe it was on the couch at home, in pajamas, after watching your favorite show. Maybe it was at the restaurant where you had your first date. Or maybe it was an adorably clumsy disaster because he dropped the ring.

And that, my dear friend, is perfect.

The Reality Behind the Screen

Remember that social media is a showcase of the best moments, often edited and exaggerated. You don't know if the couple at the castle spent the rest of the day arguing, or if the pigeons actually relieved themselves on the guests.

Your love story doesn't need validation from strangers online. Comparing your moment, which was real and full of genuine emotion, to a 30-second cinematic production is unfair to you and, above all, to your partner.

Tip: If you're tempted to fall into the comparison spiral, do a digital detox. Delete TikTok and Instagram from your phone for a few days. Instead, write in a journal about how you felt at the moment of the proposal. Note the funny details, the knowing glances, the awkward but sincere words. Build your own narrative and protect it.

3. Understand (and appreciate) your partner's nerves

Put yourself in their shoes for a second. Planning a marriage proposal is one of the most stressful missions of adult life. It's like being a secret agent and an event planner at the same time, all while trying to stay calm and avoid raising suspicion.

Your partner has had to:

1. Choose a ring: An odyssey that involves researching your tastes, your ring size (probably stealing a ring from your jewelry box and praying it's the right one), and making a major financial decision.

2. Plan the moment: Finding the perfect place and time, coordinating potential accomplices (friends, photographers), and dealing with unexpected issues.

3. Keep it a secret: Lying (for a good cause), hiding the ring in a safe place, and acting normal while inside they were a bundle of nerves.

4. Rehearse the speech: Thinking about what to say, how to say it, and probably forgetting everything at the crucial moment because of the adrenaline.

Given the magnitude of the event, it's very likely that not everything went perfectly. Maybe he stuttered, or forgot to get down on one knee, or the speech he had prepared sounded more like a shopping list.

It doesn't matter. What matters is the courage he had to do it. He laid his heart bare in the most vulnerable way possible, hoping for a "yes."

Tip: Thank him. Really. Say something like, "I can't even imagine how nervous you must have been. It was perfect, thank you for putting so much effort into making me happy." Those words will take a weight off his shoulders and strengthen your connection.

4. Don't start planning the wedding the next second

I know, I know. Your mind is already racing. You said "yes," and automatically, your brain opened 50 tabs: date, venue, guest list, dress, flowers, catering... Calm down!

A wedding is a huge project, and if you try to plan everything in the first 24 hours, you'll only achieve two things: monumental stress and your first argument as an engaged couple.

Getting engaged isn't the starting line of a race to the altar. It's a phase in itself, a precious stage that deserves to be enjoyed. It's the time to get used to the idea of being "engaged," to dream together, and to start talking about your future, not just the party.

First, the important questions

Before arguing about whether the napkins should be ivory or off-white, there are much more important conversations to have:

• What kind of wedding do we want? A huge party or something intimate? In the city or the countryside? Religious or civil?

• What's our budget? The dreaded question of money. Talking about finances isn't romantic, but it's absolutely necessary.

• When would we like to get married? You don't need to set an exact date, but you should have a general idea.

Tip: Establish a rule: "Zero wedding planning for the first week." Dedicate those days to enjoying your new status.

5. Secure and adjust the ring (and get a manicure)

Let's get to the practical and brilliant part of the matter: the ring. That little jewel that now lives on your finger is a precious symbol, but also a responsibility.

Insurance is your best friend

An engagement ring is an emotional investment, but also a financial one. Losing it or having it stolen would be a nightmare. That's why one of the first things you should do is insure it.

You can add it to your home insurance or take out a specific jewelry policy. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but the peace of mind it will give you is priceless.

The Perfect Fit

It's very common for a ring not to fit perfectly the first time. It might be a little loose or feel tight if it's hot. Don't worry, it's totally normal. Most jewelry stores offer a free initial fitting.

Wear it for a few days to see how your finger feels. If it's definitely not the right size, get it resized as soon as possible. A ring that doesn't fit properly is more likely to get lost or damaged.

And now, the manicure!

You've had your moment, called your friends and family, taken a deep breath... Now it's time to prepare your hands for their star debut. You're going to show off that ring about 5,897 times in the coming weeks. Your hands are going to be the center of attention.

Book an appointment at your nail salon and treat yourself. Choose a color you love that will make the ring stand out. It's not about vanity; it's a way to feel even more special and ready to proudly show off your commitment.