Getting engaged is probably one of the most exciting times in a woman's life. You get to marry the love of your life, plan a beautiful occasion to celebrate it, and be surrounded by so much love from family and friends - it's just marvelous.

However there are some things about getting engaged that people neglect to tell you, so we've summed them up below, just so that you're prepared.

1. You won't be able to stop staring at your hand.
Truth. You will want to stare at your left hand ALL day. And when we say all day, we mean every single minute of being awake. No matter how hard you try and pretend to not be looking at it, we know your eyes are flitting over to your bling every moment you get. It's okay, you're forgiven.

2. You'll have to tell your proposal story a million times over.
Maybe even a million and one. The very next words that will come out of your friends' mouths after congrats will be 'so how did he propose.' Love your proposal story, because you're going to be retelling it over and over - enjoy it!

3. People will bombard you with questions you won't even have thought of.
What font will you have on your stationery? What colour will your tablecloths be? People will ask you the most bizarre questions and you probably won't have the answers. Be polite and say that you're figuring things out as you go along, you're just excited to be engaged.

4. There might be a few sours.
Nobody likes any negativity, but sometimes there is a family member/friend who isn't as supportive as you'd like. Try and brush it off and focus on the most important aspect - you're getting married to the love of your life!

5. Your best friends will be uber excited.
Your friends will be over the moon for you and use all the excited emoticons they can come up with. Cherish them and lean on them for support during your engagement, they are very valuable to have by your side.

6. Everyone will become wedding planning experts.
People who have recently tied the knot will be full of advice for you, whether wanted or unwanted. Take it from where it comes, they are just trying to be helpful. If you agree with their advice, use it. If not, be a lady and thank them for it, but move on with your own agenda. The big day is after all, a reflection of you as a couple - what worked for someone else won't necessarily work for you.

7. You'll want to watch trashy wedding shows.
You'll start absorbing wedding information and ideas like a sponge. Say Yes to the Dress and Something Borrowed or Something New will end up on your PVR list. Embrace it, you've got an excuse.

8. You'll have a hard time not jumping into wedding planning.
Anyone who's ever been told to 'just enjoy being engaged' will know how difficult it is to adhere to that statement. It's almost impossible to not go crazy on Pinterst the minute you say yes, it's such an exciting time and there's so much to do! Your fiancé will most likely not share this sentiment, so be sensitive to him and try limit wedding talk in the immediate weeks after you get engaged.

9. You will feel overwhelmed.
Chances are you'll feel a little anxious and overwhelmed with the to do list for planning a wedding. Take a deep breath, and start at the beginning. If you are really struggling then enlist the help of a wedding planner, they are in this profession for a reason.

10. Your relationship will feel different.
Even if you've been dating for 10 years, the minute you've got that ring on your finger you'll feel different. You've just agreed to spend the rest of your life with this man, which is a big deal. Enjoy it, it is a special time in both your lives and so very exciting.
10 Things nobody tells you about getting engaged