What It Feels Like To Call Off An Engagement

Source: ljubaphoto / Getty

Ending an engagement is not a simple or easy decision to make. Unlike a regular breakup, calling off a wedding can be costly. In addition, it can require an extra level of transparency on behalf of the couple towards family and friends who made plans to attend a wedding that is no longer happening. Breaking up is already difficult, but the extra moving parts that come with calling off a wedding call trigger a flurry of varied emotions, some of which you may not expect. Here’s what it feels like to break up with a fiancé. 

You may feel embarrassed

Having to tell your family and friends that you’re no longer engaged can trigger feelings of embarrassment and shame, especially when wedding plans were highly publicized. However, it’s important to remember that relationships end every day and the embarrassment of a broken engagement is nothing in comparison to the misery that comes with marrying the wrong person.

Source: martin-dm / Getty

You may feel like a failure

Calling off a wedding can make you feel like a failure, especially when the couples around you are making it to the altar. In these moments, it’s best to reflect on the reasons why you decided to end your engagement and how much happier you’ll be when the initial shock of your decision wears off.

Source: JGalione / Getty

You may have some doubts

Making a decision as dramatic as calling off a wedding, especially after you’ve already set a date, is not simple. There are many moving parts and they may be moments when you second guess yourself and your decision.

Source: LaylaBird / Getty

You may feel a sense of relief

After you get beyond the negative feelings that come as a result of calling off a wedding, you may be feel overcome by a huge sense of relief. Ending an engagement to the wrong person is very much like dodging a bullet.

Source: valentinrussanov / Getty

You may feel guilty

Breaking up is hard and just because a lover isn’t right for you doesn’t mean that they’re a bad person. As a result, you may feel overwhelmed with feelings of guilt. But you’d feel a whole lot worse knowing that you married that person when you were still unsure about them.

Source: LeoPatrizi / Getty

You may still want to be with your ex-fiancé

Not every couple that decides not to move forward with an engagement end their relationship. Some couples decide that it’s just not the right time or they decide that married life simply isn’t a good fit for them.

Source: Jasmin Merdan / Getty

You may feel lonely

When your fiancé was the person with whom you spent most of your time, breaking free from that relationship, even if temporarily, can trigger intense feelings of loneliness.

Source: urbazon / Getty

You may feel free

Once the initial sadness wears off, breaking up with the wrong partner will usually leave you feeling liberated and free. The weight of being in a relationship that makes you unhappy is lifted off of your shoulders. The stress of the breakup may have been difficult to deal with but it’s nothing in comparison to remaining in the wrong relationship.

Source: Adene Sanchez / Getty

You may question your judgment

There might be moments when you wonder how you allowed yourself to go so far with the wrong person. And this may cause you to question your judgment in a lot of areas.

Source: vitapix / Getty

You may feel frustrated

Calling off a wedding can be a frustrating experience. In addition, to losing money that you’ve invested into planning for your big day, calling around to all of your vendors to tell them their services are no longer needed can be a daunting task.