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

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

But what comes after the "Yes, I do!"? Between the excitement, ring selfies, and calls to your mother, 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'll break down the 5 most important things you should do (and especially not do) right after being proposed to. We'll give you a practical guide with a touch of humor so you can navigate these first hours and days with the grace of a Disney princess and the sense of a CEO.

1. Live the Moment (and Turn Off Your Phone for a While)

Congratulations, you just got engaged. First things first: savor this instant. 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 yourselves.

Look into each other's eyes, laugh, cry if necessary. Hug tight and remember why you've gotten here. This moment is the seed of your future marriage, and it deserves to be treated with the magic it corresponds to.

The Social Media Temptation

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

But think about it. Once you hit "publish," the bubble of intimacy will burst. Your phone will start vibrating non-stop with notifications. Family, friends, school acquaintances you haven't seen in ten years... everyone will want to know the details.

Tip: Wait. Wait an hour, two, or even until the next day. Enjoy dinner, the walk, the conversation. Create a memory that's just yours, without filters or likes.

Call Your Inner Circle First

Before making the public announcement, 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 like to find out about such important news through a Facebook post.

Call them on the phone. Hearing their excitement live is a thousand times more rewarding than reading a comment.

2. Don't Compare Your Proposal to TikTok Ones

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

And it's very easy for a toxic thought to sneak into your mind: "Why wasn't mine like that?"

Stop right there! Your proposal was yours. Unique. Authentic. It was planned by the person who knows you best, with their resources, personality, and nerves. Maybe it was on the couch at home, in pajamas, after watching your favorite show. Maybe it was an adorably clumsy disaster because they dropped the ring.

And that, dear friend, is perfect.

The Reality Behind the Screen

Remember that social media is a showcase of the best moments, often edited and exaggerated. Your love story doesn't need validation from strangers on the internet.

Tip: If you feel 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 how you felt at the moment of the proposal.

3. Understand (and Appreciate) Your Partner's Nerves

Put yourself in their place 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.

Your partner had to:

1. Choose a ring: An odyssey involving researching your tastes, your size, and making an important financial decision.
2. Plan the moment: Find the perfect place and occasion, coordinate possible accomplices (friends, photographers), and deal with unforeseen events.
3. Keep the secret: Lie (for a good cause), hide the ring in a safe place, and act normal while being a bundle of nerves inside.
4. Rehearse the speech: Think about what to say, how to say it, and probably forget everything at the crucial moment due to adrenaline.

Given the magnitude of the operation, it's very likely that not everything went perfectly. Maybe they stuttered, or forgot to kneel, or the speech they'd prepared sounded more like a shopping list.

It doesn't matter. What matters is the courage they had to do it.

Tip: Thank them. Really. Say something like: "I can't even imagine the nerves you must have gone through. It was perfect, thank you for working so hard to make me happy."

4. Don't Start Planning the Wedding the Next Second

I know, I know. Your mind is already racing. You've said "yes" and automatically your brain has 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 engaged people.

The engagement is not the starting line of a race to the altar. It's a phase in itself, a precious stage that deserves to be enjoyed.

First, the Important Questions

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

• What type of wedding do we want? A giant party or something intimate?
• What is our budget? The dreaded money question.
• When would we like to get married? No need to set an exact date, but have a general idea.

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

5. Insure and Adjust the Ring (and Get a Manicure)

Let's get to the practical and sparkly part: 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 an economic one. Losing it or having it stolen would be a nightmare. One of the first things you should do is insure it.

The Perfect Fit

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

And Now, the Manicure!

You've lived your moment, called your people, taken a deep breath... Now it's time to prepare your hands for their stellar debut. You're going to show 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 manicure salon and treat yourself. Choose a color you love that makes the ring stand out.