Spring is in the air, and so is love! With the flowers in bloom, your love likely is too, and you’re ready to pop the question to your partner. With so many essential factors that go into planning the perfect proposal, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. Not to mention after the proposal, there’s planning an engagement party, a wedding, a honeymoon, and your entire life! Since luck favors the prepared, take things one step at a time and work on your proposal first. Hopefully, everything falls quickly into place afterward. Let’s look at some important considerations when it comes to planning this meaningful moment that you and your partner will remember for the rest of your lives.
Consider Your Budget
The first thing you need to nail down is your budget for proposing. You need to consider the cost of the obvious ring and what you will do when you pop the proverbial question. Some people opt to hire a photographer or videographer to document this milestone moment. Maybe you’re going to do it while on vacation or at a luxury restaurant. If you have a smaller budget, romantic hikes or walks on the beach make memorable and perfect proposals too. Don’t feel like you have to drain your savings to make the occasion perfect.
It’s All In The Ring
The engagement ring symbolizes you and your partner’s commitment to spending the rest of your lives together – and while some couples later “upgrade” their engagement rings later in life, this is probably a ring that your partner will wear until death do you part. You can make your engagement ring more affordable by going with lab-grown diamonds or gems like Moissanite. You also need to decide which style your partner would prefer – maybe they’d love an Asscher cut engagement ring, perhaps a heart-shaped diamond is more their speed. Please consider their tastes, not your own, when ring shopping. Utilize the deals online to stay within your budget but also visit local jewelers to get an idea of what different carat sizes or settings look like in person. Once you have the perfect ring, your confidence in your proposal will soar!
Enlist Help If Needed
Maybe you’re going to surprise your partner with the proposal at a family gathering, party, or holiday. Enlist the help of the people at the event to make sure you get the moment captured through photo or video and that the proposal remains a surprise. Additionally, you can enlist the help of your significant other’s best friends or family members to decide on a ring style or proposal plan if you’re not sure what they’d prefer. Asking others for help also lessens the stress of having to plan such a significant event.
Treat Them & Yourself
If your girl is the type to get manicures regularly, then this section isn’t for you, but if she isn’t, consider gifting her a mani/Pedi day the week of your proposal. She’ll want to take photos of her ring to send to friends and family and post on social media. Make sure you’re groomed and looking sharp yourself, so if you need a haircut, a shave, or a new outfit – these proposal pics will be looked at for many years to come, and you both want to be looking your best.
Practice Makes Perfect
You’ll likely want to tell your partner how much they mean to you, what you love about them and why you can’t imagine your life spent with anyone else. While a proposal shouldn’t be a five-minute monologue, you’ll want something prepared. Take the time to practice what you’re going to say to your sweetheart before the big day, so you’re not stumbling over your words – because they will remember what you said. You don’t need a notecard’s worth of verbiage but have something prepared and memorized.
Getting engaged is a major life decision but one that you’re excited to make. The prospect of spending the rest of your life with your best friend and perfect teammate is both comforting and exhilarating at the same time. Use the above tips to make your proposal planning go quickly, and congratulations!