Proposal Planning

Engagement season is just around the corner, so today's post is for those that are thinking of popping the question in the next few months! And if maybe you are the one that is hoping for a ring soon, go ahead and share this link with someone who might need some tips, because today we are talking about the 10 steps to a perfect proposal.

1) Make sure the timing is right.

This first step has a couple different meetings. Most importantly, have you guys discussed being ready for marriage? Well, you may know that you found the right person. That doesn't necessarily mean that they're ready for that big next step. Make sure that you've had that conversation together to ensure that you're on the same page before moving forward. And the next meaning to this step is that you wanna make sure that your timing for the actual proposal is right.

Generally speaking, you don't wanna overshadow someone else's important day. So unless you know they are game for it, maybe don't propose at someone else's wedding or other big celebration.

2) Talk to your partner's parents.

While the tradition of asking for the father's permission is definitely old school, the gesture is still really important to some people. You'll likely know whether this is something that your future in-laws will find important or not,

but if you are unsure, I recommend that you take this step before proposing. You don't have to look at it as asking for permission in the old school and very dated way, but more like asking for their blessing or just simply letting them know that you intend to propose. Just including them in on the process is gonna go a long way. And you may also need someone in the know to help you pull off the surprise.

3) Be ready with the ring, even if it's a temporary one.

If you don't feel comfortable making such a big purchase as an engagement ring without your partner's input, you can purchase a placeholder ring that can be exchanged if needed afterwards. But make sure to ask this question before you purchase. Most jewelers will have options for you as long as they're not customized and you'll likely have shaky hands going into the big moment.

So ensure that you have a safe spot to tuck it away. If you're worried about the shape of a ring box in your pocket, giving away the surprise, check out the boxsocks.com for a great way to keep a secret.

4) Know your audience, meaning your future fiance.

This is a very important step as it's easy to get caught up in other proposal stories and feel like you need to top them. Now, maybe your partner is someone that expects a very elaborate and public proposal, but if they hate being the center of attention, putting them up on a jumbotron at a big game is probably not the best route to go. When planning out how you wanna ask the big question, think about what kind of moment would be special to them, not what you think might make the best story.

If they love the spotlight or a great Instagramable moment, then go big and make it photo worthy. If you're homebodies and prefer to keep to yourselves a romantic moment at home or a dinner for just the two of you might be the perfect option. And if you're not sure, you can ask. I think people generally feel like it has to be a complete surprise,

but I don't think there's anything wrong with asking if they've ever given any thought to what the perfect proposal would be for them. If you don't wanna be the one asking directly, then recruit some of their friends to try and get some info out of them. Those conversations may come off more naturally and not give the surprise away.

5.) Hire a photographer.

Or if that's not in your budget, have a friend capture the moment. It's gonna be such a special moment and it's gonna fly by so quickly. You'll be so grateful to have some images or a video to watch back later on. And if you're planning on a fully private moment with just the two of you, you can set up your phone to record and watch back later.

6) Make sure they are photo ready.

If you're having pictures taken, make sure your plan for the proposal includes a reason why your partner will get dressed up. If hair, makeup and nails are important to your future fiance, chances are they're gonna be a little bummed if you propose when they're not ready for it. Try and think of something that feels normal for your routines and the benefit of engagement season falling over the holidays is that there are many great opportunities for a reason to dress up.

7) Keep quiet.

Generally speaking, the less people that know the better. Now, I know that I've already suggested that you get family and friends involved beforehand, but be selective about how and when you ask people to be involved. Of course, if you're worried that they can't keep a secret, you should avoid getting them involved altogether. Ultimately though, while a surprise proposal is usually preferred,

even if your partner knows the moment is coming, that won't make it any less special for them.

8) Practice what you're gonna say and do ahead of time.

The word set in the proposal tend to be overshadowed by the setup of the actual event, but in reality it's one of the most important components of the proposal. Make sure to put lots of thought into what you wanna say.

Ideally, it's more than just a quick will you marry me? But if that's all you can get out in the excitement of the moment, that is fine. I also encourage you think through the physical logistics. Like if you are planning on getting down on one knee or not, that might sound silly, but if you are, say, on a pair of ice skates or maybe in a cramped restaurant,

you wanna think through the logistics of this beforehand. And if you are planning on getting down on one knee and you have someone taking pictures, make sure you stay down there and pause for a bit so they can get that great shot.

9) Don't forget to celebrate.

Think about what you plan to do right after the big moment. If you're at home,

have a bottle of champagne ready to pop while you're calling all your friends and family. If you'll be out for the night, let the restaurant know your plans when you make the reservation so they can be ready to celebrate with you. And if you're planning on having family and friends get involved, they can be waiting at a restaurant or someone's home to celebrate with you after the big moment.

10) Bring in the pros

Bring on a professional planner and florist to help you pull it off, especially if you're planning on going big. Having event pros that can help you set everything up and make sure everything is ready for you will make things so much easier on you. You'll already have a ton on your mind that day, so not having to worry about setting things up,

lighting candles or queuing musicians will be a huge help. Most wedding planners will be able to help with something like this, even if they don't have an actual proposal package listed on their site. They can also help you find the right location photographer and other vendors that you might need for the big moment.

And there you have it, the 10 steps for the perfect proposal!

Now I definitely wanna hear from you. Are you planning on proposing over the holiday season? Head over to the Wedding Planning Collective Facebook group and share with us what your plans are. It is a private group and we promise not to blow the surprise.