Things to Do When Your Best Friend Gets Engaged

- Send a card. If you don’t live in the same city as your BFF, sending a cute card will add a bit of joy for the bride after the initial wave of social media congratulations die down. 

- Don’t assume you’re in the bridal party. It may seem like a given, but you never know what sort of family dynamics are in play, what new friendships have developed, or if the couple even wants to have a wedding party. Wait to be asked.

- Give a gift. A registry-level present is not necessary, but a fun bride-themed trinket is a lovely gesture. 

- Don’t push for plans to begin. It’s understandable to want to know everything as soon as possible; after all, it’s an exciting event that you’ll probably be involved in. But planning is stressful! There are plenty of tasks that have to be dealt with before the sweethearts even have an official date. 

- Listen to her venting. Due to the aforementioned stress, the bride may have moments where she needs to complain about the process. Be the friendly and understanding ear, which will help prevent tensions building within families. 

- Offer to help. If you’ve had your own wedding, you can offer some insight. Even if you’ve never planned your own nuptials, any skill that might be useful will be appreciated with a genuine offer of help. 

- Be kind to yourself. Your best friend’s engagement can trigger feelings of abandonment, loneliness, or even just wishing you had done things differently for your own big day. Remember to practice self-care and not lose yourself in your friend’s celebration. 

Learn how to tell if you're ready to get engaged and get tips on how to be the best mother of the bride ever.