Hello all! I wanted to get some opinions about the above question. My boyfriend and I are planning to get engaged sometime in the next 6-9 months, and we are wanting our wedding at a church whose summer wedding dates fill up quite quickly. Basically, we need a lot of family and friend support to help us call in and reserve the date when the registration for summer of 2020 weddings officially opens up in March of 2019. This being said, we would need to tell all of our friends and family our top 3-5 wedding date choices and have them help us set the date.
My boyfriend has made a case that we should get engaged after we tell all of our friends and family and set our wedding date. He mostly has said this because he wants more time to save up for a pricier ring. Personally, I don't care about that. I've found several rings that are well within our budget that are beautiful and I'd be very happy with. I've made the case that I think it makes absolutely no sense for us to announce to all our friends and family when our wedding date is without being officially engaged. I don't need an expensive ring, but I'd like to have at least something on my finger and have been asked the question if we're going to tell everyone! Plus, I've told my boyfriend time and again, most people get engaged first and then set the date. I told him I spoke with my mother and sisters and best girlfriends and that they all agreed.
Now, this is all in good jest, but he demanded I get more opinions than just my family and friends on this subject. It's turned into sort of a funny joke between us, but if people wouldn't mind leaving their opinions and answering the question that'd be great! Thanks to all who can provide supporting "data" for my claim! 
So, do you get engaged before setting a wedding date OR do you set the wedding date and then get engaged?
