Thinking of the perfect proposal? Consult our list, just to be sure you have it covered.
If you’re thinking about getting down on bended knee soon, first of all congratulations! Second, we’ve put together a foolproof marriage proposal to-do list for anyone who wants to pop the question. Follow along with our tried-and-true engagement tips, and an unforgettable marriage proposal is sure to follow.
Find the Perfect Engagement Ring
It’s hard to pull off a dream proposal without a beautiful engagement ring. You may have to chat up her friends, dig around her jewelry boxes or even ask her opinion about friends’ engagement rings to get a sense of what she really love. This is a piece of jewelry that’ll be worn for years and years to come, so you do your homework well!
Get Parent’s Blessing
If you’re planning on asking a parent’s permission for your spouse-to-be’s hand, before the proposal is the time to do it. Sit down with her parents (or speak with them over the phone if they live out of town and you won’t get the chance to ask them in person), and let them in on the exciting news. Share as many (or as few) details as you’d like about your plans for popping the question, but ask them to kindly keep it all a secret!
Time It Right
With all of the planning that goes into pulling off the perfect proposal, you want to make sure that your timing is perfect. Is your partner in the midst of a big, deadline-driven project at work that might require a few late nights? Do you have any other major events planned for the same week? Take a good, hard look at the calendar and make sure to pick a day that doesn’t conflict with any other ongoing responsibilities that either of you may have.
Come Up With a Master Plan
This is where you can get creative. Try to think about what sort of proposal will work best for you both. Would your significant other like something more casual, cozy and romantic, like a dinner for two at the restaurant where you went on your first date? Or perhaps you want to pull off an elaborate scavenger hunt that ends at your favorite spot, followed by a night of dancing with friends and family? The way you pop the question is entirely up to you, but just make sure you’ve got a solid plan in place and have thought ahead about every detail and nuance of your day.
Expect the Unexpected
Sometimes things just don’t go as planned, so make sure you’ve got a backup plan for each and every element of your proposal. Did you arrange for a limo at 6 p.m.? What if it doesn’t arrive until 6:15 p.m.? Come up with a plan B for everything, and you’ll leave no room for error.
Tell It Like It Is
Your spouse-to-be is going to love hearing about all of the reasons you want to spend your life with him or her, so think about the special things you want to say. Try not to let your nerves get the best of you in the excitement of the moment, lots of people forget to ask the all important “Will you marry me?” question. Some get so caught up in trying not to forget to ask those three words that they don’t remember anything else. You might want to practice beforehand to make sure you remember all of the important details when the big moment arrives.
Gather Your Supplies
What sort of things will you need for the big proposal day? Are you planning on giving her flowers? Or having a favorite dessert on hand? Do you need the restaurant to set up anything ahead of time? Make sure to write out a to-do list for yourself and get everything ready well in advance. Come up with a timeline to ensure you don’t leave anything out, and plan ahead for mishaps by always having some extras on hand.
Keep It a Secret
The more people you tell, the harder it will be to keep your surprise a secret. Make sure that if you are enlisting the help of friends or family, they’re committed to sticking with your game plan and keeping everything under wraps. After all your hard work, you don’t want a chatty friend or an overly talkative aunt ruining the excitement of your special day.
Spread the News
You’ll likely want to share the excitement with all of your friends and family after your new fiance(e) gives you a yes, you want to make them feel like they were actually there? Consider hiring a hidden photographer so you’ll be able to show everyone exactly what the reaction was.
Celebrate
Congratulations—you’re getting married! Make sure to take some time with your bride-to-be to really reflect and enjoy this new phase of your lives together before you get swept up in the excitement of wedding planning.
