You’re now engaged, and delirious with happiness – but who do you tell first, and how do you announce the news? Take a deep breath and read these tips for announcing your engagement to the people closest to you.

Do You Have Kids?

If either you or your partner have children, you must tell them about your engagement first. They will be the ones who are gaining a stepmother or stepfather, so it’s important to fill them in (even before your parents!)

Don’t expect your children to be comfortable with the idea right away, either. It will normally take some time before they grow accustomed to the new family dynamic.

Telling the Parents

There are several ways you can announce your engagement to your respective sets of parents. How you do it is dependent upon how you think they’ll react and how well they know your intended spouse. A group gathering may be uncomfortable if your parents have never been introduced to your partner’s family before, so in the interest of comfort it’s best to announce the engagement separately.

Friends

If your parents don’t like your partner and you know they won’t react favorably to the news, it’s perfectly acceptable to tell your friends first to get the support and encouragement you need! If, however, you have a certain friend that might bring you down, don’t feel like you have to tell her. This is YOUR news; the bottom line is that you can tell whoever you want, whenever you want!

Announcing your engagement is an exciting time, but it’s important to handle the news with care. Remember, kids come first; after that, it’s all up to you!