You’ve decided to pop the question. Now all you need is a plan. Putting together a proposal can be really fun. It allows you to be creative and lets you turn a moment your special someone has always dreamed of into a reality.
But what is it that she really wants?
Figuring this out is the key to planning an incredible proposal. Remember, this moment is about her, so you’ll want to do something that she will enjoy. You may think that it’s a great idea to propose in front of thousands of people at a sporting event, but does she want this kind of public proposal? If you think she does then, by all means, go for it. But if she’s a more private person, then you might want to reconsider. After all, you want her to feel comfortable.
One way to figure out what she’d like is if she’s dropped any hints in the past. Has she talked about her dream proposal before? Has she commented on how her friends or family members got engaged? This can give you some insight into how she pictures her own proposal.
Second, you’ll want to think about the kind of person she is. Does she love the outdoors? Then she might like a proposal at a beautiful vista or picturesque scene. Is she a sentimental person? If she is, then she might enjoy a proposal at the spot you first met or the restaurant where you had your first date. If she’s into travel, then you might want to whisk her away on a romantic trip to pop the question.
Keeping the Secret
The best way to keep the secret is to not tell anyone. Yes, you might need help from a few people, but try to keep the number of people who know about your plans very small. The more people you tell, the more likely someone is to let it slip.
Also, stick with people you can trust and make sure they understand that the proposal is a surprise. You might think that they’ll automatically know that they should keep the secret, but double check. You can’t be too safe.
Another good way to keep your proposal a surprise is to disguise it. For example, your girlfriend might get pretty suspicious if you suddenly insist on having a romantic dinner at the restaurant from your first date for no reason. So you’ll need to come up with a reason.
An easy way to disguise your proposal is to go for a weekend getaway to celebrate something (a big accomplishment at work or in your personal life, a special anniversary, etc.) and then propose while you’re on that trip. Remember that if you’re traveling by plane, you’ll need to make sure you can get the engagement ring through security without being caught in the act.
Overall, if you’re going to be doing anything that is out of the ordinary for you during the planning process, make sure you have a reason and an explanation for it.
Picking the Engagement Ring
Of course, an important part of a proposal is the ring. Buying the ring can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for many people, but don’t worry! We’ve posted many detailed guides on How to Pick the Right Engagement Ring for Her and Buying the Perfect Engagement Ring, as well as answers to some Common Questions about Buying an Engagement Ring.
A few quick pointers on buying an engagement ring that she’ll love:
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Listen to any hints she’s dropped. Has she commented on celebrity engagement rings or rings that her friends have received?
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Think of her preferences. Is she a flashy person or someone who is more subdued? Does she follow the latest trends or is she more into the classics? Thinking about her personality will help you determine the right kind of ring for her.
- What sort of jewelry does she already own? When she’s not around, discretely go through her jewelry box and see if any trends stand out. While you’re there, take a ring that she wears on her ring finger and measure it. This can help you figure out her ring size.
