After The Proposal: What To Expect After She Says Yes

If You're About To Walk Down The Aisle, You Need To Read This

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There’s nothing quite like the stress of preparing to propose. From doing your secret research and figuring out her dream ring then shopping around, to planning the moment that she’s been dreaming of her entire life, the anxiety surrounding the “big question” is no joke. But after meticulously planning every detail, finally discovering a diamond you know she’ll love and asking for her hand in marriage from her father, you got down on your knee and did it.

And now, you feel like the luckiest guy in the world because the woman you always wanted to be with has agreed to hang around with you for the rest of her life. You might feel a sense of relief — and, well, you should — but we have both good news and bad news for you. Good: You’re engaged! Bad: The turbulence and uneasiness you were feeling before is about to get magnified because right after the engagement is when all of the wedding chaos begins. Most couples say this time in their relationship is one of the happiest, but also one of the hardest because it’s the first time you’re truly making joint decisions and working together for a day that means a lot to both of you.

So after she says that tearful, excited "yes!," you need to be prepared for what comes next. Here are our best tips for getting through wedding planning while keeping your love strong, healthy and ready for marriage.

Right After the Proposal: Celebrate Privately

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No matter how you decided to propose, chances are she’s wiping away the tears and smiling from ear-to-ear with excitement — and, yes, snapping some shots of that gorgeous ring you spent a small fortune on. But before you both start calling your parents and closest friends and family members  — or ahem, posting to Instagram and Facebook — you should celebrate privately. There are a few rare times within the duration of your relationship that you have this beautiful, magical feeling that makes you remember all of the reasons you fell in love to begin with. It’s something to savor as a couple and a time to dream, imagine and reflect on all that you’ve been through together as a couple and all you hope to experience hand-in-hand.

Consider splurging on a weekend trip right afterwards, or even treating yourselves to a five-star restaurant and opting for the expensive bottle of wine. You might even think about simply staying put in the apartment you share for a few days in bed, ordering takeout and doing the everyday activities that have built your relationship — like getting groceries or cooking the dish you both can’t get enough of. Do whatever it is that makes you feel connected to each other, and enjoy that feeling until you make your engagement — and your upcoming marriage — a public announcement.

Tying up loose ends and who you should tell first on the next page...