What to Know and Expect Before Getting Engaged

Thought you knew everything there was to know about getting engaged? Well here are a few things you may not have thought about before popping the question!

Comments and questions from family and friends: If you have been in a long relationship with someone, it is only natural that people, particularly your family and friends to begin making comments and asking questions about when you will be getting engaged. If these questions and comments are bothersome, just take a deep breath, smile and answer anyone who asks appropriately.

The 4Cs of a Diamond: Cut, clarity, color and carat weight. This is important when you're shopping for the engagement ring. According to Tiffany & Co., the cut looks at the precise shape and positioning of a diamond's facets and is the most important factor in determining the stone's beauty, The clarity measures the flawlessness of a diamond that will directly correlate to its value. A stone is considered flawless if, under 10-power magnification, no internal flaws or external imperfections are visible. When it comes to color, the ideal engagement diamond is clear to the point of being colorless. The carat denotes the weight of a diamond, one carat equals 0.20 grams.

To ask for permission from future in-laws: This isn't the most comfortable situation to be in, but if your fiancé is the old-fashioned or traditional type, you should prepare to ask your future in-laws for permission or blessings.

Know what kind of ring your fiancé wants: It's important your fiancé tells friends and family what type of ring they want. It's important for you to pay attention to the hints you are given before you head to the jeweler.

Creating the perfect proposal: If popping the question wasn't maddening enough, there is the pressure to create the perfect proposal too! This is a good time to start thinking of romantic locales for popping the question. Is there a place that is special for the two of you? Take some time to think about this as you move forward with your proposal.

The cost of a wedding today: An average wedding today can cost anywhere from $30,000 and higher, so it is important to have a realistic idea of your budget and how much you're willing to spend for your wedding, but honestly you can worry about this after you get engaged!

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Images are by Noble Photography