8 Cute Ways to Announce Your Engagement on Instagram

After you emerge from the afterglow of getting engaged, the first question that might pop into your head is how to share the exciting news with loved ones. We suggest telling the people in your inner circle face-to-face—or at least over FaceTime, if your partner proposed on a trip (chances are, they're waiting for your call!). After you fill those VIPs in, you can turn your attention to the masses. The best way to bring your social network up to speed? Instagram, of course.

The app allows you to spread the word in a more detailed and visual way, and is ultimately a much faster method for communicating this milestone to extended friends and family, says Tatiana Caicedo, the co-owner of Proposal007, a proposal planning service. An Instagram announcement can also go beyond the ring-selfie and accompanying "I said yes!" caption—more and more duos are using Stories (and even Reels!) to make their fiancé debut. "Instead of texting each person individually, the couple just drops a hint on their Instagram Stories and waits for the friends to call," she says.

If you're ready to share the joy of your proposal with the world, consider the following ways to post this major life moment on your account.

1. Post a (Personal) Photo of Your Ring

This is an iconic route to take, especially if you regularly share your favorite things on Instagram. Take a selfie with your future spouse, and put your ring front and center. Want to personalize your approach? Consider putting your hand up in the sky or next to a significant building or tree, walk hand-in-hand with your partner, or even put two hands on your passports (if you got engaged on vacation), suggests Caicedo.

2. Share the Moment in Stories

If your fiancé went the extra mile and asked a friend or professional to capture the "Will you marry me?" moment, share it! Give your followers an inside look at your special someone on bended knee—or that first kiss as spouses-to-be. This is great material to put on Instagram Stories if you'd prefer to dedicate an in-feed image to your new favorite accessory. Consider posting a few slides that showcase the emotion of the moment (especially if you went from neutral to shocked when you saw that knee drop!).

3. Make a Reel

Shout out the news to your followers with a quick video clip or get creative with an Instagram Reel—you'll have up to 90 seconds to fill your miniature movie with images and videos from the moments before, during, and after the proposal. This is currently a common trend: Brides-to-be are capturing the day leading up to the big moment to tell a more detailed story, says Caicedo. (Loved ones handle filming the proposal and any meaningful moments after.) Of course, this method only works if you get a sense that something epic is coming.

Want to keep this special day private, but still want to go the video route? Shoot a short clip of you two saying, "We're engaged!" Not only will it shine on social, but it'll be fun to look back on years from now.

4. Hide It in a Hashtag

Are you hoping to be more subtle? Make your followers work to find out the big news. You can share a couple shot, but anything that makes you smile and exudes love works, too. Use the hashtag #WereEngaged or #SheSaidYes. It's also popular to use a couple's full name in the hashtag with "love story" at the end, says Caicedo. This way, the hashtag can be used up until your wedding day.

5. Involve Your Pup

Your pet is part of your family, so let him share the news. Tie the ring around his neck or put a cute sign next to him that says, "My parents are getting married" or "Future ring bearer." There are other playful ways to include your canine, too: "It's a good idea to make a collar tag with the engagement date or take a picture of the ring hand, groom, and pup paw," says Caicedo.

6. Show Off Your Future Last Name

If you're planning to change your name, let that be your announcement. Snap a selfie holding a sign that says "The Future Mrs. James" (or whatever your respective married name will be). Another option? Take a great selfie and use the hashtag #TheFutureMrsJames.

7. Spotlight Your Partner

You said yes to the person you love most in the world—why not make him or her the focal point of your announcement? Whether its a sweet photo of your future husband or wife down on one knee, the very first image you took of her, or a dapper shot of him in a tux at someone else's wedding, post your favorite image of your favorite person and caption it with the big news.

8. Make a Wedding-Specific Account

Another new trend on Instagram? Make a separate account specifically for your wedding journey. "I see our couples are making one where they post pictures from the proposal, engagement party, and for their wedding preparations," says Caicedo. "It's a great way to keep everything in one place." These are typically joint accounts shared between the couple, so both partners can post exciting news and updates on it.