subject: Factors To Deliberate Upon Before Deciding To Break An Engagement [print this page] Breaking an engagement isn't funny like it seems when you are watching it occurs in a romantic comedy. When it happens for real it definitely is not going to get a laugh. It is extremely hard to know how to handle this life changing situation if you are directly involved.
Telling people about this news without totally falling apart can be a huge issue. How are you going to do it? Another question is who do you need to share this news with directly and who can hear it through the grapevine? Even for problems like this following a simple guide can be a huge help.
Family and Friends: This is going to be tough but you are going to have to call your friends and family and try as hard as you can to hold it together and just simply say "The engagement is over".
Each and every person you tell doesn't have to know the whole story as to why the engagement is off. You are more than entitled to your privacy. If they want to know everything they can fill in the blanks themselves.
People realize that life and relationships can't always turn out the way that was planned. Occasionally engagements get broken. People will sympathize with you and feel truly sorry about the breakup but the fact of the matter is that this is going to be harder on you than it will be on anyone else.
How to Handle the Wedding Presents: Wedding present that you have received already definitely need to be returned to persons that sent them. Your best bet is to do it by mail. Even though you will have the mailing cost, it will be much easier emotionally.
If you were to decide to return your gifts face-to-face you risk the awkward situation of the giver insisting that you keep the gift. You will also have to deal with the possibility of have to rehash the story. If by chance you have received gifts that were personalized you cannot return them. Instead just gratefully thank the giver.
If you should get engaged in the future don't expect lavish gifts from these people and don't expect to get them before the actual wedding day.
