5 Tips for the Perfect Proposal
It’s now the lead up to summer, and that means many of you will have been thinking about the obvious.
No, not the fact that tube stations are filled with pale, sniffling commuters (although it probably does mean that too). Summer means holidays, so it’s hard not to think about love – long evenings spent over a gin and tonic, lazy picnics and strolls on the beach.
If summer loving is on your mind, you might be thinking ahead to a romantic proposal to your beloved. Now that the sweet but cheesy Valentine’s Day cards have been put away, you want to get serious and ask them to be your Valentine forever.
If you are thinking about proposing, you’re probably also feeling a bit nervous and overwhelmed. Planning the perfect engagement proposal can be nerve-wracking, but never fear. We’ve been around long enough to have a pretty good idea of what works, and what doesn’t.
These are our top 5 tips for planning your perfect proposal.
1. Should the proposal be in public or in private?
The mid-2000s trend of hugely elaborate, public proposals put a lot of pressure on poor folk out there hoping to pop the question. Your proposal doesn’t need to go viral for it to be meaningful – it should ideally be an expression of your love for your partner, in a way that reflects your personalities and your relationship.
If your partner is outgoing and doesn’t mind a bit of attention, you could consider proposing in a public place like a restaurant or tourist spot. It can feel lovely to get a round of applause on such a special occasion. But if they’re more low-key, they may prefer to avoid strangers being involved in this intimate moment between the two of you, so you might consider a quieter location.
2. Pick a place that means something to you
A proposal somewhere fancy is nice, but your partner will really appreciate it if you choose a location that’s meaningful to the two of you. It could be the place you had your first date, the park where you love to walk your dog in the mornings, or perhaps even the location of a scene from one of their favourite movies, or in their favourite section of the art gallery.
This is a wonderful opportunity to show your partner that you know, and truly care about, who they are as a person. You’ll be telling the story of your engagement for years to come, and the location is going to be an integral part of that story, so it pays to put some thought into it.
3. Plan what you’re going to say
This is the part that many would-be romantics forget to plan for! Chances are you’ll be nervous and you may stumble over your words (which is absolutely fine and really quite sweet), but having an idea of what you want to say ahead of time will help you feel calmer in the moment.
There’s no rule that says you have to go down on one knee and address the person by their full name. In fact we’re not quite sure why that always happens in movies! But your partner will love hearing why it is that they are so special to you. Why not jot down a few of the qualities that you love most about them, so you can make the occasion truly memorable and romantic?
4. Will you already have an engagement ring?
It’s common to have a ring already made for your proposal, and if you’re hoping to do this, make sure you allow plenty of time, especially if you’re thinking of having a ring custom made.
That said, it’s by no means compulsory that you propose with a ring. It’s not always easy to find your partner’s ring size ahead of time without giving the game away, and many couples enjoy the idea of designing their engagement ring together.
If you would rather have your partner involved in the process, or you don’t have time to custom-design a ring in advance, may we humbly suggest our Perfect Proposal™ package? This allows you to select a stunning diamond or coloured centre stone, which we will package for you in a beautiful keepsake box, together with an invitation to design your ring together. We may be biased, but we think it’s pretty romantic.
5. Where will you go afterwards?
You’ve planned out the perfect wedding proposal. You know where it’s going to be, what you’re going to say, and you’ve got a plan for the engagement ring. But then what?
You’ll be on such a high when you’re first engaged, and you’ll want to make the most of that moment. The final step in planning your perfect proposal should be to think about what happens after they yes. You don’t want to end up celebrating at Pret a Manger – unless you really, really like Pret a Manger.
We suggest scouting around the area of your proposal in advance, for a nice intimate place to celebrate over a glass of bubbles or a really top notch cup of tea. A bar with a view or a cozy atmosphere, high tea at a heritage hotel, or a romantic picnic are lovely ways to start talking about the rest of your lives together. You can call friends and family later – once the whirlwind of wedding planning starts, you’ll appreciate having taken this quiet moment to share in your happiness with each other.
So, now you have your roadmap to the perfect proposal. Good luck – we can’t wait to hear your engagement story!
We are always happy to talk through your options and share our experience, with no pressure on you. Make an appointment to visit our studio and speak with our friendly team today.
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