Have you decided that you’re ready to pop the question to the special woman (or man!) in your life? Now, all you need to do is come up with the perfect way to say those four little words, “will you marry me?” Simple, right? Or not.
Getting down on bended knee can be a challenging task, even for guys who have no problem being a romantic gentleman the rest of the time. There’s a lot of pressure to get things mind-blowingly perfect, especially in today’s social media age where you’re guaranteed your proposal photos and videos are going to make their way onto Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
So, there’s more to putting together the perfect proposal than simply asking the question. But don’t worry – we’ve put together some top tips that will help you get it right.
First, Get the Ring Right
Imagine if the person you love presented you with a gift that you hated? Even worse; you were being expected to wear it for the rest of your life?
Ok – chances are if your partner’s really head over heels for you, they’d be delighted with an onion ring if you put one on their finger. But, it’s always nice to know that you’ve selected something that they’d choose for themselves given the chance.
Top Tip: If you can do it without looking weird, peek into your partner’s jewelry box to get an idea of the type of styles s/he likes to wear. If bejeweling themselves isn’t their thing, get creative by being extra observant about the type of clothing they wear or the kind of jewelry they’re drawn to when window shopping.
Alternatively, you can get a friend on board (in secret, of course) to find out for you. “What kind of engagement ring would you choose if (your name) asked you to marry them?” is going to raise less suspicion coming from a friend or family member; if you asked, your partner would probably suspect you’re planning something and it might ruin the surprise.
Of course, that’s if you’re planning a surprise! If you know your partner hates surprises with a passion, then what are you waiting for? Just ask them to pick their own, with Pave Engagement Rings a very popular style at the moment (but, maybe a little more romantically than that).
Second, Pick a Great Location
Ah, the location – this can make or break your proposal. But, where do you go? Restaurants have become cliché, parks are a bit too public for some, a vacation can be expensive, and proposing at home is, well, a bit boring. So, where’s the best place to pop the question?
Top Tip: In general, you can’t go wrong with choosing a place that holds sentimental value for the two of you. Perhaps you’ll take your partner back to the first place that you took a road trip together, or maybe you’ll play it safe and book a table at the restaurant where you had the first ever date. Or, dig deeper – where’s the spot where you shared your first kiss? Or you first said ‘I love you’?
Alternatively, you could make it all about your partner when choosing the location – after all, the proposal is based on demonstrating just how much you love them! Perhaps they’ve been talking about visiting a new state recently, or maybe they just want to check out a new bar in town. Why not make their wish come true, before (hopefully) making their dreams come true, too!
Don’t Shy Away from Getting a Bit Creative
The best proposals are always a little bit unusual. There’s certainly nothing wrong with thinking outside of the box a little when it comes to popping the question.
For example, you could announce that important question to your partner using an aerial advertising banner from the back of a plane, or if you’re on a tighter budget, write it in the sand in massive letters like this guy did.
Remember; proposals don’t have to be like the ones you see on television! It’s more important that you plan something you know your partner is going to really enjoy. If they hate flowers and typical shows of romance, you won’t want to propose over a candlelit dinner with a bunch of roses. On the other hand, if you know that they’re scared of heights, don’t take them up in a hot air balloon to pop the question. Consider your own likes and dislikes, too – don’t do something you’re going to struggle to enjoy, either. You should both be happier than ever on your special day!
Some creative proposal ideas could include:
- Take your partner on their favorite roller coaster ride and hold up a sign asking, ‘Will You Marry Me?’ when your photos are taken. Then, buy the photograph and present it to your partner.
- Bake the engagement ring into their favorite cake (more details on how to do that here). Or, if you’re worried about the ring being damaged (or even worse, your partner accidentally eating it) then present the ring alongside a cake emblazoned with those four important words in icing. After all, the way to the heart is through the stomach.
- Create a movie using the videos and pictures you’ve taken of your adventures over the years and get together to watch it. At the end of the show, have ‘(your partner’s name), will you marry me?’ come up on the screen.
- Write a book or short story about the two of you and pop the question at the end. Or, if writing isn’t your thing, a photo album is a nice choice.
- Have some fun by going on a scavenger hunt where the ring is the final treasure to find.
- If you’re proposing in winter, write your question in the snow. Alternatively, take your partner on a ski trip to propose!
- Get your pet to help by attaching a note to their collar for your partner to find.
- Does your partner read a certain newspaper or magazine religiously? Use this to your advantage and have an important note for them published in the next issue.
- Have a skilled barista write the question in your partner’s coffee.
- Have the question engraved on a gift for your partner. This way, they can keep hold of the moment forever.
- Change your contact name in her mobile to ‘Will You Marry Me?’ and give her a call.
- Carve the question into a tree on one of your favorite walks.
- If you both enjoy sports, get help from fellow fans at a sports game – have them hold up a banner from the other side of the stadium.
- Propose with a flash mob.
Make it a Family Affair
Of course, having a large crowd of your nearest and dearest looking on as you propose isn’t for everyone, but in many cases, people enjoy making their immediate family a part of this special moment.
Even if you don’t have family there for the intimate moment when you get on one knee and ask the question, it’s nice to arrange something for after the event where you can all celebrate together. Perhaps have family waiting to arrive and give their congratulations after your partner says ‘yes’, or arrange an impromptu engagement party.
Get Photographic Memories
Although you’re surely both going to remember the proposal for the rest of your lives (whichever way it goes), it’s nice to have photographic memories of the moment you ask and the moment your partner says ‘yes’. Even better; have a video taken so that you can relive the memory. A video is also a wonderful idea for something to show any children that the two of you might welcome in the future and you can play it at your wedding!
Having a photographer on hand when you propose is a great idea and it’s becoming more and more popular. Most wedding photographers and videographers are also experienced with capturing proposals and can work with you to make sure that they get the perfect snaps or video clips without giving the game away.
Lastly, Be Yourself
If you type ‘how to propose’ into Google and hit the search bar, there are pages and pages full of results all offering advice, tips, and ideas. For the most part, this is great – it can give you some inspiration and help you decide on the perfect way to pop the question.
However, above all, remember that your partner fell in love with you as a person, so there’s no need to be anything other than yourself when you propose. It’s such a personal moment, so whether you’re pushing the boat out and treating them to a lavish proposal or plan to ask them over a quiet dinner at your favorite restaurant, remember that really, it’s only ever about the two of you.
Good luck with planning your proposal! Let us know if the answer is ‘yes’ – we’d love to hear from you in the comments.
