How did you make the most of your engagement?

Set some time for yourselves away from all the everyday stresses and arguments. have a date night and focus on each other and why you love each other and enjoy the engagement. have an engagement party (even a small one in a condo party room)

We didn't do a whole lot to keep our engagement special, but definitely keep up with regular date-nights, and making time to NOT focus on wedding planning. It may help (if you can) to take a mini-trip to focus on you as a couple again.

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your answers! One thing that some of you that seems so obvious but we definitely haven't been doing is to keep up regular date nights... We've both been so busy with the other things going on in our lives that I don't think we've been properly enjoying each other!

I think I have just decided to do a bridal subscription box too (thanks Carly for the suggestion!). I love subscription boxes and even if the bridal one is mostly full of stuff I won't use for too long, it'll be fun to have and maybe will allow me to feel a bit more like a bride!

Sounds like for the most part, us brides are quite stressed out by wedding planning! A shame really that it can be so stressful when we want to be able to enjoy it.

I'd love to continue to hear what others do to keep this time light and happy!

I am sorry you’re feeling this way. Try not to be so hard on yourself! For the duration of our engagement we had two kids and moved far from friends and family, to a new community... money has been tight etc so there have been many MANY hard moments and only now as we approach the wedding and kids are getting older and we’ve adjusted to our new life are we seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Just take the time to relax together ie. Netflix and wine or do fun things together like concerts, comedy shows etc. Have fun with your other friends who are couples. Travel together even if it’s just a local getaway. Just take it day by day and enjoy each other’s company. Good luck

This is defiantly more for you than your groom, but sign yourself up for a couple of bride boxes. They can be quite cheesy at times, but it’s fun opening up something bit knowing what your going to get. The only thing is the cost though because they can be quite expensive ($60-150 for single box). My sister and I were bound and determined to do this for my future sister in law, so we went to icings, winners, and online to get some things and are doing fix boxes for her leading up to the months. We each pitched in $100 and now she has a box to open up at the beginning of each month leading up to hers and my brothers big day. There are months filled with things for the two of them as a couple as well

We just made sure to keep date night up. Just because we were engaged and not "dating" or whatever doesnt' mean that stops. As well, just becuase our money was being put towards paying for a wedding - doesn't mean we should stop going on date nights.

As for things specific to being engaged - nothing really stands out. Maybe cake tasting or supper tasting if that's an option for you?

You two need to set the time frame and when you feel the date should be set when ready. Long engagement is fine to enjoy all the time needed. Don't let anyone get you down about your happiness if they feel insecure about themselves inside. Some may feel jealous too.

Everyone is different in the way they take their time and do things they want together as a couple. Don't rush yourselves and make the best of trips, outings, vacations and more.

Plan night outs with your friends and gatherings with FH friends too when possible.

I completely understand. At the beginning of this week we got the news my fiancé was being laid off. My brother and his wife just separated and it’s kinda nasty. I also am under a LOT of work stress. Wedding planning brings me very little joy right now and actually looking back ... most of it wasn’t as “fun” as I hoped it would be.


BUT
When we initially started planning and we were in better spirits we’d grab a glass of wine, I’d whip out my Pinterest, we’d chat and makes jokes. Just general good happy vibes nothing special.
We have gabbed coffee with our officiant a few times - she’s honestly so funny and warm and makes us love our love ( I also work with her frequently as a wedding coordinator).

My fiancé and I got engaged in Australia last January and didn’t tell anyone until we got back home last April. We spent the first few months living being engaged before the stress of wedding planning. Our original plan was to have a longer engagement, but we ended up deciding we were ready. Now we spend a lot of time planning, but we love to take dance lessons to keep things fun.

To be honest - I hate wedding planning but loved planning our honeymoon! You could start looking at destinations together?


Our planning is sadly more stress than anything else so we tried to plan a day out once a week and we were doing day trips once a month too that were non wedding related. It’s important to keep spending time together even if it’s for non planning events

I've really enjoyed the attention to be honest. A few co-workers like getting wedding planning updates, and I've got a great group of friends who let me gush about wedding stuff.
I also have tried to space out some of the bridal activities. I brought 7 people with me to go dress shopping in October, in February there is a bridal show with discount accessories that I'll go to. Other plans I've spaced out too, like cake tasting this month and invites next month, flowers after that!
This app and community has also helped. I have a few minutes every day to think about my wedding or learn from someone else's planning journey.