9 Things You Know If You’re Recently Engaged

You’ll make any excuse to use your left hand, and then act super casual. “What, this old thing?!” Warning: may result in wrist strain, although an evening in A&E just means more people to flash your ring at.

The proposal story will get more and more elaborate the more often you tell it, but you won’t get bored. Your fiancé on the other hand…

For at least a week (Ok, a month) you’ll tell literally everyone you’re engaged. People on buses, your dentist, and – of course – anyone who might offer you a free glass of fizz. That’s just practical.

Relatives you never thought were the sentimental type will come over all misty-eyed. “Uncle Frank? You ok hun?”

The cards will flood in, and you’ll be too sentimental to recycle any of them - even the really naff ones (I’m looking at you, 3D butterflies). In fact, it’ll take months for you to even consider taking them down.

Everyone will have an opinion on who your bridesmaids should be, but you’ll already know. You knew before you met your fiancé.

Similarly, everyone will be very keen for you to set a date, but you’ll probably be too busy wandering around using the words “my fiancé” and grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

You will buy all the bridal magazines. Even though they will leave a surprising dent in your wedding budget – those things aren’t cheap.

Your Google habit will be out of control – local venues, dress shops, flower companies and events bakeries will be whizzed through, alongside all sorts of things you’d never considered (Cake pops? Photo booths? Sugared almond favours?) – who knew there was such a hive of industry right on your doorstep?