You’re Engaged. Now What?

Six Things You Have to Do Right Away:

Tell both sets of parents. If possible, do it in person. This may seem like a no-brainer but in the haste to tell your girlfriends and his buddies, time can get away. It's just common courtesy to announce your happiness first to the people who got you here.

If you have kids, tell them ASAP. Imagine the apprehension kids feel as they see their world about to change dramatically and beyond their control. Brace yourself to answer the questions that have been formulating in those young, imaginative minds. Where will we live? Do I call him Dad? Will his little girl live with us? Will you still love me?

Set the date. Check your (and his) upcoming commitments and those of both families. Is his brother graduating next May? Are you parents planning an anniversary cruise in the summer? There are dates you may have to work around so get the calendar out. Some dates to consider: the day you met; a holiday so your friends and family can spend more time together; a favorite season so you can plan a special honeymoon getaway. For example, if you're skiers, how about a New Year's wedding, which would make the occasion a special family holiday and also enable you to plan a ski resort honeymoon.

Start the planning process. Doing it right and avoiding as much stress as possible, you should allow at least a year. You'll have your choice of reception sites and can look for deals on all the other things you're going to need. If you don't have a year, all the more reason to get the planning underway.

Send announcements to the local papers. If your hometown is somewhere else, you might want to send an announcement to the paper so that your old friends, classmates and acquaintances will be in the loop.

Set up a website. It'll be a lot easier to keep everyone up to speed on what you're doing, put up photographs, info , etc.