Ready or not, marriage proposal season is quickly approaching! If you’re ready to pop the question, now might be the time to start preparing for the big moment. Asking her (or him, for the non-traditionalist) to marry you can be nerve racking, even if you’re certain she’ll say yes. Here are five ways to rock your proposal!
1. Ask her dad.
For some, this tradition is one of the past. However, for a good number of brides that walk through our doors, this sweet sentiment is one they wouldn’t say yes without. The tradition of asking her father for his daughter’s hand in marriage is less about the “permission” aspect anymore and rather is about respect.
As a dad, knowing his little girl is going to marry a partner who has the guts to ask him first is a show of admiration and kind-heartedness. If your bride-to-be and her father are not close or he’s no longer living, think about asking her mom or another relative she considers close family. For marriages involving children, asking them is such a touching way to get them involved! Just make sure the four year old isn’t spilling the beans before the big moment!
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2. Rock the right ring.
While we’re not suggesting every bride-to-be should pick out her own ring (though some do prefer this strategy), having an idea of what she likes is important. While it isn’t all about the bling bling, it is a token of your love that she will likely wear every day for the rest of her life. Don’t you want it to be something she likes?
If you’ve been together a while, chances are you already have a good idea of what she’s hoping for (through her not-so-subtle hints). If you don’t, make a point to drop a few hints of your own to get a feel for her style. Does she want a diamond or is she more of a sapphire girl? Is she hoping for something glamorous or something elegant? Does she want white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold? If you’re struggling, feel free to enlist her best friend, who is sure to have an idea of what she’d love to rock!
Tip: Most rings come in size 7, which is an average ring size for a woman. If your new fiance wants to wear her ring right away (and who wouldn’t?!), be sure to have it sized BEFORE popping the question!
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3. Know ahead of time that she’ll say yes.
Okay, this seems anti-climactic. If you know she’ll say yes, why, then, would you go through the dog and pony show of a marriage proposal? For starters, that’s exactly how you should not be thinking! A proposal is a monumental occasion; one that requires forethought, emotion, and a little extra excitement. Knowing she’s ready to commit just makes for one less thing you have to worry about.
Imagine it: you’re nervous as it is about popping the question and getting all the specifics of the engagement you’ve planned just perfectly. Think about how much more terrifying it would be if you didn’t know her answer! Those in relationships that get to the point of being engaged have likely spoken about this type of commitment prior to the down-on-one-knee moment. If you haven’t gotten there yet, be sure she’s ready before making the investment.
4. Make it memorable.
Yes, there is something to be said for the off-the-cuff, Notebook style, “Will you marry me?” in the heat of the moment. With that, there is also a heck of a lot to be said for the partner who makes his marriage proposal one she’ll never forget. Be it that you take her back to the place you first met or to a special spot in your city, make the moment memorable. Not many want to look back on their engagement and say, “Yeah, we were sitting on the couch and he just handed me the ring.” They want to relish in the engagement story almost as much as the engagement itself! Roses, a tux, and a choreographed dance aren’t necessary (though we do love it). Do think outside the box in order to make this moment special for the two of you.
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5. Capture your marriage proposal on camera.
If your girlfriend/boyfriend has specifically asked you to not catch the marriage proposal on camera, then ignore this tip. For the rest of you, even if she mentions that you don’t need to have a photographer present, we advise against this. While there is something to be said for the proposal being a private moment between the two of you, having that exact moment on film where you’re down on one knee and she realizes what you’re about to do is absolutely priceless. Whether it be something you cherish in private as a couple or share on social media as your big announcement, we promise, she will not be mad you chose to photograph this special moment.