After 15 years photographing weddings, I’ve learned something: the couples who enjoy their engagement the most are the ones who are intentional about it — not the ones who try to do everything perfectly. Your engagement announcement isn’t just a post. It’s a moment you’ll look back on. It’s the beginning of a story you’ll tell for years. And if you approach it with a little strategy and a whole lot of heart, you can turn one single post into a content journey that documents this entire beautiful season of your life. Here’s exactly how to do that — including what NOT to do. Trust me on that part.
Your Engagement Announcement Is a Strategy, Not Just a Post
I want to challenge the way most people think about their engagement announcement. Most people think of it as a single event: you get engaged, you take a photo, you write a caption, you post. Done. Check.
But here’s what I’ve observed over 15 years: the couples who truly LOVE their engagement experience treat the announcement as the beginning of a whole chapter. They think about it as a story — with a beginning (the announcement), a middle (the planning journey documented along the way), and an end (the wedding day). Every post is a piece of that story. And when it’s done intentionally, it creates a beautiful, cohesive narrative that people actually want to follow.
So before you post anything — let’s talk strategy. Not in a cold, corporate way. In a ‘you deserve for this to be as beautiful as it feels’ kind of way.
Engagement Announcement Do’s and Don’ts (From a 15-Year Wedding Photographer)
THE DO’S
- DO tell family before posting. We’ve covered this extensively, but it bears repeating: call your inner circle before the internet hears about it.
- DO make it feel like you. Your announcement should sound like you on your best day — not a generic wedding post that could have been written by anyone.
- DO post when YOU are ready. Not when social pressure demands it. Not because you’re worried about word getting out. When you, personally, are ready to share this with the world.
- DO include your partner’s name in the caption. Every single time, y’all.
- DO celebrate the engagement itself. Not just as a precursor to the wedding. You are engaged. That is its own milestone. Treat it as such.
- DO coordinate with your photographer if you have engagement photos. Sharing together and cross-tagging benefits everyone.
- DO save your engagement content. Screenshot, archive, back up. You will want to look back at all of it.
- DO have fun with it. This is one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to you. Let the joy show.
THE DON’TS
- DON’T announce during someone else’s major life event. A death, a wedding, a birth, a divorce. Timing matters.
- DON’T post before your partner is ready. This is a joint announcement. Make the decision together.
- DON’T include a wedding date you haven’t set. You’ll spend the next year explaining why it changed.
- DON’T let the pressure to post immediately rob you of the private joy of the first few hours. You don’t owe the internet anything until you’re ready.
- DON’T copy someone else’s caption or photo concept verbatim. It will get noticed.
- DON’T respond to negative comments in the first 24 hours. Let the joy of your announcement section exist without getting into debates.
- DON’T forget to enjoy this season. Planning is coming. The checklist is coming. But right now — you’re just engaged. Be here for that.
How to Coordinate Your Announcement with Your Photographer
If you have an engagement photographer, here’s a strategy tip that most couples miss entirely: coordinate your announcement content with them. This is a simple thing that can make a significant difference in the reach and cohesion of your announcement.
Here’s what this looks like in practice:
- Talk to your photographer BEFORE your engagement session about your announcement plans
- Agree on a posting date — ideally the same day, or within 24 hours of each other
- Cross-tag each other in your posts — their audience will see you, and your audience will see their work
- Consider creating a collaborative piece of content together — a behind-the-scenes Reel from the session, for example, is something both of you can share
- Ask if they’d be willing to share your story in their caption — most photographers love doing this, and it genuinely expands your reach
The benefit for you: your announcement gets in front of an entirely new audience — everyone who follows your photographer. The benefit for them: their work gets seen by your entire network. It’s genuinely a win for everyone, and it costs nothing except a quick conversation.
Your photographer is not just a vendor. They’re a creative partner. Treat them like one, especially during your announcement.
Should You Post Before Setting a Date?
I hear this question constantly: ‘We want to wait until we have a date to announce the engagement so we don’t have to deal with the questions.’ And I understand the logic. But here’s my honest take:
You don’t need a date to celebrate your engagement. Your engagement is its own milestone, completely separate from the wedding planning timeline. The ‘yes’ happened. That deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated now — not in three months when you’ve finally agreed on a venue.
Now, a fair warning: once you announce, the questions will start. ‘When’s the date?’ ‘Where are you having it?’ ‘How many people?’ ‘Have you picked a dress?’ (That one always comes faster than anyone expects.) And if you don’t have answers yet — that is completely, totally fine. You are allowed to say: ‘We’re just enjoying being engaged for now! Details to come.’ Most people will accept that gracefully.
The people who won’t? See the next section.
Post when you’re ready. The date can wait. The joy is happening right now.
How to Handle Negative Comments and Awkward Reactions
Let me be real with you: somewhere in the announcement process, someone is going to say the wrong thing. Maybe it’s a comment on your post that’s a little sharp. Maybe it’s a family member who responds with concern instead of joy. Maybe it’s a friend who says ‘finally’ with a tone that doesn’t quite land right.
Here’s what I want you to hold onto: other people’s reactions to your engagement say nothing about your relationship. They say everything about where those people are. Their reactions come from their own history, their own fears, their own unresolved feelings. Not malice. Just complicated humanness.
How to handle it gracefully:
- On social media: ignore negative comments in the first 24 hours. Let the good ones fill the space. If something crosses a line, delete it without announcement.
- With family members: give them a day or two before engaging with the negative reaction. When you do, approach the conversation with curiosity rather than defensiveness. ‘It seemed like you had some concerns — can we talk about that?’
- With friends: same principle. Give them grace and space to have their reaction. Check in privately rather than addressing it publicly.
- For the random internet person: they don’t matter. I cannot say this clearly enough. They do not matter. Do not spend one second of your engagement responding to strangers who have opinions about your love life.
Focus your energy on the people who are celebrating loudly. Their voices are the ones that should fill this season of your life.
Turning Your Announcement into a Full Content Series
Okay, here’s where things get exciting — especially if you’ve been thinking about documenting your engagement and wedding planning journey on social media. Your announcement post is post one. What comes after it is up to you. And if you want to build a real, engaged audience around your planning journey, here’s how I’d structure it:
Week 1-2: The Announcement Phase
- The announcement post
- The ring details / ring selfie breakdown
- The proposal story (full version)
- Behind-the-scenes of the engagement (the morning after, the first family reactions, etc.)
- The ‘how it started vs. how it’s going’ post
Month 1: The Early Planning Content
- We booked our venue! (Even if it’s just ‘we’re starting to look’)
- Engagement session announcement
- Meet our photographer/videographer
- We’re starting to build our guest list — here’s what that’s actually like
- Our first wedding planning argument (yes, document it — it’s relatable content gold)
Ongoing Throughout Engagement
- Vendor reveal posts (photographer, venue, florist, caterer)
- Dress shopping journey
- The engagement session photos reveal
- Save-the-dates reveal
- Bridal party announcement
- Regular ‘engaged life’ content — the mundane, funny, beautiful everyday moments
The key to making this work long-term is consistency and authenticity. You don’t have to post every day. You don’t have to produce perfect content. You just have to show up regularly with something real — because people are genuinely invested in love stories when they’re told honestly.
The engagement isn’t just a chapter before the wedding. It’s a whole story in itself. Document it. You’ll want all of it someday.
Building a Social Strategy Around Your Engagement and Wedding Planning
If you’re thinking about growing your social media presence around your wedding planning journey — or if you’re a wedding vendor watching this space and looking for content ideas — here are a few strategic notes:
- Batch create content when possible. Block out a few hours, film multiple videos at once, and schedule them out. You don’t have to be ‘on’ every single day.
- Engage with your community. When people comment on your posts with questions or stories of their own, respond. That back-and-forth is what builds real connection.
- Use searchable language. Captions and titles that include “engagement announcement ideas” or “wedding planning process” will help new people find your content organically.
- Mix content types. Not every post needs to be a polished reel. Stories, conversational posts, carousels, and simple static photos all have their place.
- Document the hard parts too. Not just the beautiful moments, but the overwhelming ones. The vendor that was fully booked. The budget conversation that got complicated. The family opinion nobody asked for. Honesty is what makes content feel real — and real content is what builds loyal audiences.
Final Thoughts: Your Joy Is Worth Sharing
I want to end with this, because I mean it sincerely: your engagement is worth documenting. Your love story is worth telling. The full version — the messy parts, the beautiful parts, the overwhelming parts, and the parts that take your breath away.
You don’t have to have a perfect aesthetic or a huge following or expensive equipment to share something meaningful. You just have to show up with your real self and your real story and let people in. That has always been enough. That will always be enough.
Congratulations. Now go document all of it.
Weddings by Holly Lou 
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