Picked up my ring with soon to be fiancé to make sure the sizing is right...now I wait unpatiently for the proposal! I am hoping it's soon and he's not waiting until Valentine's day. We've been dating for almost 5 years and we both learned a lot about the engagement ring buying process together.

We're planning a small destination wedding (just immediate family) in June or July and I learned recently that it might not be enough time even if I booked my dress in the next two weeks...so...I bought a "back up dress" just in case (Tinsley from BHLDN). Bought it out of impulse, I like it enough but didn't get a "WOW" feeling from anything I tried on. Am I supposed to have that visceral, emotional gut reaction? My parents live on the East Coast, and they're visiting me in two weeks, so I made 2 more wedding dress appointments over the next two weeks before they come to get a better idea of the dress I want. In an ideal world, I'd find the dress I love on my own, go with my parents and my mom would love it too and I'd buy the dress and it would be ready for the wedding. I'm prepared to have to buy a sample dress that's in good condition. I also have my back up dress just in case.

I started out by thinking I wanted to save money and not spend so much on a dress, but I realized that I'm not going to have a big reception, ceremony, or have to do invitations or save the date cards, I'm not going to have access to the hair stylist or makeup artist I wanted...so I might as well as just get a nicer dress (within reason). I have to keep in mind thought that I have to be able to squeeze it into a carry-on and I have to be able to hand steam it.

Finally discovered this subreddit! My coworkers are sick of me discussing wedding/engagement stuff already.