Ah, the Instagram engagement announcement. It’s just one post, but it’s a big one, because it tells the world you’re taking your relationship to the next level. And while it’s not required that you reveal your news on social media, research has shown that 42% of couples today choose to announce their engagement with engagement selfies.
So if you plan to post, what’s the best way to do it? First of all, always tell your closest family and friends beforehand, with a personal call or text so they don’t get blindsided while scrolling. And try to keep the caption short and sweet. You don’t owe the internet a play-by-play of how the proposal went down, and you want to have something left to talk about when you see everyone in person (or at your engagement party).
Most important, remember to make it feel right for you. We’ve pulled together some of the most popular and creative announcement ideas, plus celebrity inspiration, to help you find your perfect style.
1. The “OMG, WE DID IT!” Selfie
Keep it simple like Oscar winner Emma Stone and fiancé Dave McCary if you want to get word out there ASAP and share the pure joy you’re feeling. Sure, the ring is out of focus, but that’s not the point. This announcement is all about those smiles. (And it doesn’t get shorter or sweeter than that caption.)
2. The Bended-Knee Moment
This one takes a bit of pre-planning on the part of whoever is popping the question, plus a friend or photographer who’s willing to hide in the bushes. But if you’ve managed to secure live footage of the actual “Will you marry me?” moment and are keen to share, it’s sure to play well on social media. (As this proposal by American sports presenter Mike Hill to Real Housewives of Atlanta‘s Cynthia Bailey demonstrates, it also helps if you’re a reality star with a camera crew.)
3. The Cheeky Option
On 1 May 2019, former EastEnders actor Mike di Angelo let his 64,000 Instagram followers know he “Got pizza today”. No big deal – apart from the bottle of Moët and the stunning diamond engagement ring also pictured in the pizza box. (Meanwhile, fiancée and wedding planner Sophia Perry posted the rest of the story on her account.)
4. The Loved-Up Selfie
Another great way to announce the news is with this intimate option. It’s all about the emotion (blurriness be damned!), with a caption addressed directly to your other half. “Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes,” Chris Pratt wrote to his then-fiancée Katherine Schwarzenegger last January. Queue the heart-emoji comments.
5. The Mug Shot
Sure, we’ve been seeing this trend for a while, but it’s still going strong for a reason. It’s fun, it puts the ring front and centre, and it’s ideal if your other half is social-media shy but you still want to share the news. (If this is the option for you, don’t miss our edit of the best engagement mugs to buy for your ring selfie.)
6. The Hand-in-Hand Ring Selfie
Obviously, the classic ring selfie is all about, well, the ring. But add a little hand-holding, and suddenly it’s hopelessly romantic, too. Best served with a fresh manicure and a stunning backdrop, like this masterclass by J.Lo and Alex Rodriguez.
7. The Picture-Perfect Engagement Shoot
On the same day that the Royal Family chose to announce Princess Beatrice of York’s engagement to property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the groom-to-be posted a series of gorgeous black-and-white photographs from the couple’s official engagement shoot with Misan Harriman. You’ve got to be a bit patient to take this approach, because it requires organising your engagement shoot and waiting for the photos to come back before you share the news. But the results – elegant, polished, professional – speak for themselves. Love the look but can’t keep the secret that long? You can always share a candid selfie straightaway, and the professional photographs later.
For more A-list inspiration on how to announce your engagement, check out our roundup of the best celebrity engagement rings on Instagram.
