engagements

After deciding not to show this season in order to prepare for her upcoming wedding, Erin Fetherston told People on Thursday that she and her longtime boyfriend Gabe Saporta have actually been engaged since New Year's Eve.

Saporta popped the question with a Lorraine Schwartz ring that Fetherston helped design. The emerald-cut diamond is set on a platinum band that was "oxidized to give the ring a vintage feeling," Fetherston said. "I love it because it's luminous and romantic with the right amount of edge."

The couple hasn't set a date yet, but Fetherston already knows where she's going to get her wedding gown.

"I will definitely design my own dress," she said, "and my fairy-tale aesthetic will undoubtedly influence the look and feel of the wedding."

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I got engaged about three weeks ago. I have been with my partner for four years, and we also live together. We're both quite social but have a few close friends that we love dearly. Really happy — well, almost.

From my fiance's friends, (who are all married, most with young children, he is 9 years older than me) — we got the usual "Yay, we're so happy for you!", "Congratulations", "It's about time!", etc., which made us feel really happy and special about this amazing time in our lives. When I told my two best friends, I was a little bit thrown by their reaction. When I called them to say I was engaged one just said "Oooookaaaaaaay, that's nice," and the other was busy and didn't answer but responded to my voicemail with a text a few hours later (a text!!) that said, "How lovely. See you soon!" They didn't seem as excited or happy as I would've expected and wanted. I've seen them be more excited about 2-for-1 cocktail specials.

I definitely don't think they disapprove of him. They've known him for years, and we all hang out quite a lot. We also have quite open friendships. Only a few months ago, one of my friends and I told friend number three that we thought her boyfriend was rude to her and that we thought she deserved better. If there was ever a time to bring up the fact that they hated my boyfriend, they have had a lot of time. Also, they always seem to want to hang out at our house every single Friday with me and my fiancé. They are also friends with him separate to me. Point is, I don't think my fiancé is the problem.

I hate to sound like a silly girl who thinks everyone is jealous of me because I truly don't want to believe that's the case, but I must say that both of them are single. And they have never had serious relationships or relationships that have lasted longer than 6-8 weeks. I've spent most of my adult life in relationships — a 4 year relationship from 18-22, about 8 months of dating a few guys for a few weeks at a time, and then I met my current boyfriend who I've been with for 4 years. I am 26. My friends are a little younger and are going to turn 26 at the very end of the year. I've always told them that I wish I was them. I've never really had a chance to be single and wasted all of my fun college years trying to make a very serious, verbally abusive man happy.

I want to start wedding planning and was expecting to ask them to both be my maids of honor, but now I'm not sure how to proceed. The last three Fridays we haven't really done anything together, which is a little weird. It's also my 27th birthday this coming Friday, and they haven't really called to make any plans with me, which really hurts. I have analyzed everything I've said and done and so far the only conversation I've had with them since things got weird is the call to say I'm engaged and a few texts saying stuff like, "How was your day?" etc.

Should I ask them directly, (which I think could come across as being a little entitled, bratty, and they might just think I have a superiority complex because I'm engaged — I don't know I just get that feeling) or should I just leave it? I feel like I've been there for them through losing jobs, graduation celebrations, birthdays, etc., and I think as friends they ought to be there for me. I feel really sad. They are like my sisters, and I think this is spoiling this happy time for me.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously on Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

The holidays are here, bringing not only lots of gifts, cookies, and good cheer, but also a ton of engagements! While hearing that one of your besties is sporting a new rock is always exciting, being a bridesmaid and being pregnant or a new mom can be really challenging — just ask Kourtney Kardashian, who rocked a skin-tight lilac bridesmaid dress in Khloe's wedding when she was seven months pregnant! Here are a few tips for surviving with your friendship and sanity intact.

1. Be realistic. Many a bridesmaid has agreed to stand up in a friend's wedding only to regret it when she's tottering around in the required three-inch heels and unflattering silk dupioni dress when she's super pregnant or still hanging on to 15 pounds of baby weight. While you don't want to disappoint your friend, really think about whether you'll be able to live up to her expectations if you are nearing your due date or will be dealing with a newborn. It's better to bow out gracefully than to feel miserable or torn in two directions (i.e. hair and makeup or a breastfeeding session) on her big day.
2. Speak up about the dress early. Ask your friend if you can try on bridesmaid dresses with her; otherwise, you can't complain when she picks out a bright orange pencil dress for you to wear six weeks postpartum. Women who haven't gone through a pregnancy often don't realize how uncomfortable pregnant women and new moms can be within their own bodies. If you go to the appointment, you can make your opinion on the dress known. If she doesn't take them into consideration, refer to tip number one. For three more tips, keep reading.