A guide to wedding social media etiquette

Whenever we get a promotion at work, start a new relationship, take a funny picture or have a birthday, the first place we often go to share the news is Facebook or Twitter. Through status updates and comments, everyone can stay up-to-date on everyone else’s lives – even those of people who you’ve only spoken to a few times. But if you’re a bride-to-be, these social media platforms require a certain etiquette.

Wait to share the news
Once your better half finally gets down on one knee and presents you with the box you’ve always wanted to see, one of the first things you may wish to do is change your relationship status on Facebook from “in a relationship” to “engaged.” After all, you want everyone to know that you’re next to tie the knot. But this step can wait. It’s important to inform all of your close family and friends before you post anything about it on social media. After all, if your best friend got engaged, you’d want to hear it straight from her, not from her Facebook status. Once you’ve informed the necessary people in your life via phone or in person, then you can share your excitement with the virtual world.

Keep details to yourself
When you inevitably post the perfect picture of your new sparkler, be sure to leave all of the nitty gritty information out, like the cost and carat. You may be proud that your future spouse really splurged on your ring, but the cost isn’t anyone else’s business but yours. What you can do, however, is brag about how good of a job your fiance did at picking out your ring!

In fact, leaving out the details applies to all areas of your wedding. Try not to make any status updates requesting opinions about your vows, wedding theme or other ideas. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a bit of inspiration, but it’s important to know when to cross the line. This is your big day, not your Facebook friends’.

Don’t use social media to pop the bridesmaid question
If you want your best friend to be your maid of honor, don’t post it on her Facebook wall or send a tweet her way. This moment should be a much more memorable one. After all, this special person in your life deserves to know how much she means to you. Invite her to lunch or drinks to ask her the important question.