Thinking about becoming one of the 2.3 million couples that tie the knot this year?
Congratulations! Planning the perfect marriage proposal is the first step towards making that happen.
For many people, this is a stressful thing to do.
After all, it’s a magical moment that the two of you will look back on for years to come- it’s extremely important that you make it special!
Luckily, with a little planning, you can totally pull off a modest proposal (or an extravagant one) that leaves your partner smitten for a lifetime.
Make Sure They’re Ready
No, you don’t need to do a preemptive proposal and ask your loved one if they’ll marry you when they ask.
That defeats the purpose of the awesome proposal you’re planning since, well, it is a proposal.
Instead, feel around and figure out whether or not they’re ready to tie the knot.
Ask people that are close with them- you know the ones. Their mom, their sister, their best friend… these are the people that have the tea and are ready to spill it.
They’re pretty much mines of information when it comes to your partner and will be excited to help you plan the perfect proposal.
You can also very carefully poke at the subject with them.
Many people exhibit signs that they’re ready to get married, such as talking about a wedding or a honeymoon more often than they used to. If your partner is, they’re probably ready.
If they’re not, ask them when they can see themselves tying the knot.
You’re likely talked about this before, so proceed if this step doesn’t apply to you. But if you’re even 1% unsure, don’t skip over it!
Find the Perfect Ring
The next step to planning the perfect proposal is to get a proposal ring.
Make sure that you choose something based on your partner’s unique personality. If they like grand gestures and bigger jewelry, a loud piece with a big gemstone may give them the flash that they love.
Not everyone wants a huge rock, though.
Some people want a thinner band with smaller gemstones instead. Stackable rings made from durable metal and stone are also en vogue right now, so consider these alternatives as well.
No matter what your partner would like, check out these engagement rings from Jacob Mercari.
They’re some of the most beautiful on the market and there are tons of options that you can choose from.
Consider the Timing
Will your loved one prefer a public proposal or a private one? It’s likely that they’ve said something about this to you before, but if they haven’t, then you really need to give it some thought.
If your partner is flashy and loves to be the center of attention, proposing in public will be awesome (and proposing in private might disappoint).
On the flipside, proposing to a shy person publically might make them feel pressured and upset. Make sure that your loved one’s personality is at the forefront of your mind.
Another thing to consider is whether you want to propose outdoors vs indoors. Outdoor proposals should be saved for nice days in spring, summer, or autumn.
Proposing in a pile of snow will be unpleasant for both parties, so there’s no reason to do it.
There are great places for dead-of-winter proposals, such as before cozy fireplaces and in coffee shops. A pile of slush isn’t one of them.
Orchestrate Your Scenario
Once you’ve decided when you want to propose, it’s time to think about how.
Remember the people from the inner circle that you talked to about whether your partner was ready to get married?
Yeah, it’s time to go back and talk with them about the scenario that you’ve come up with.
A lot of elaborate proposals require some help, so ask them for assistance in getting your partner to the proposal spot or carrying balloons for you.
Are you going to just keep it simple by giving a speech and getting down on one knee? Are you going to whisk them away to some location that they love before proposing?
Take them on a proposal-vacation and ask them while in a destination that they’ve always wanted to visit?
Remember that this is going to be one of the most special memories that the two of you cherish forever.
Don’t push aside Plan A in favor of Plan B or Plan Z so quickly. Make your perfect proposal a priority.
Get Down on One Knee
So you’ve planned the perfect marriage proposal and everything’s gone perfectly.
All that’s left is to actually pop the question. This may sound like the easiest task on this list, but it actually is one of the most challenging parts emotionally.
Make sure that you take a deep breath when you know the moment is nigh. Use this breathing triangle to steady your thoughts and compose yourself.
Take a second to ensure that you’re feeling alright and remember that your loved one is completely ready to take this leap with you.
Life After the Dream Marriage Proposal
Now that you know how to plan for and execute an awesome marriage proposal, it’s time to start thinking about your honeymoon!
Check out the ‘travel’ tab on our home page for ideas on where you can go and what you can do there.
If you’re looking for practical tips about marital life, you may also want to check out the ‘lifestyle’ section of our website.
Start browsing soon so you can feel more confident in your future plans!