So you’re engaged. Congratulations! It’s time to pop the champagne and celebrate this milestone moment. But with Coronavirus restrictions still in place for some time, the traditional engagement party might not be on the cards. Or maybe throwing a big bash just isn’t your style. The good news is that there are lots of fun ways to celebrate your engagement. You just need to get a little creative! Here are ten of our favourite ideas.
Spend a romantic night in. It sounds obvious, but with a little effort, an evening at home can be just as romantic as a night on the town! Lay a beautiful table, order in from your favourite restaurant (or cook something special), light some candles, and enjoy! Or, to make it more interesting, you could do a wine tasting or cocktail class. (Check out all our ideas for a stay at home date night here.)
Have a virtual engagement party. If you just can’t wait to celebrate with family and friends, why not take it online? Host a Zoom get-together. Set a limited time (say, 90 minutes) and invite your loved ones to drop in and share their congratulations or join you in a toast.
Book an engagement photoshoot. Many photographers have been able to offer socially distanced engagement sessions during the pandemic, so you don’t need to wait. It’s the perfect way to commemorate this amazing time – and test out a potential wedding photographer! To make it extra special, be sure to hire a professional hair and makeup artist so that you feel your very best. (You can find one via our directory.)
Staycation! A mini trip away is a great option for celebrating your engagement – just the two of you. As that won’t be an option until May at the earliest, have a staycation instead. Turn your phones off and ban work for the weekend, cuddle up, and spend some quality time just focusing on each other. You could also focus on a specific fantasy destination, taking a virtual tour of a local museum, cooking the local cuisine, etc. It’ll be even more special when you’re able to visit it in person!
Order a special cake. What better way to celebrate a special event than with cake! If you have a baker in mind for your wedding, this is a great excuse to order a small cake from them for the two of you to enjoy (and you’ll be ticking one thing off the wedding planning to do list too!)
Revisit your first date. Depending on where your first date was, you might be able to visit the location together. Or if not, recreate the experience at home. Watch the same film, order the same meal, play the same music. Then bask in the nostalgia of where it all began.
Spend a night under the stars. There’s something extra romantic about stargazing, even in your backyard. Wait for a clear night, then grab some cosy blankets, warm drinks, and a telescope or stargazing app, and enjoy the show!
Give back. Now more than ever, you should celebrate happy moments, but it’s also a time to think of others. Donate what you would have spent on a party to a local or NHS charity, or ask friends and family to make a contribution in your name.
Take a trip down memory lane. As you look forward to your future together, it’s a good time to look back on your love story. Print out the photos, pull out that box of mementos, and spend some time reminiscing. Or you could use the time to create a beautiful photobook as a lasting keepsake of your relationship up to the proposal.
Make it a drive-by celebration. You may not be able to hug family and friends, but seeing their faces is still sure to make a difference! Ask them to swing by your house at a particular time and encourage decorations, placards, and balloons.
