That's why it's so important to get it right. You should decide if you think they would like to be involved in choosing the diamond or if you are going to give them a ring when you propose. If you decide to choose it yourself, think about it very carefully beforehand. Look at the kind of jewellery your partner normally wears to find out what style they would like and be sure to find out their ring size. Stay within your budget when buying a ring. The standard guideline is that you should spend two month's salary on a diamond, but work out what is best for you. Set the scene: Where you propose is just as important as how you do it. This could be anywhere that has a special meaning to both of you. It could be the place you had your first date or somewhere you've both always wanted to go but have never been. At home you can create a romantic atmosphere and tailor it to your partner, which is probably why it's the most popular place to propose. What women want: The way in which you propose should entirely depend on the woman you are proposing to. Although the movies tell us that women want nothing more than to be proposed to in front of a huge crowd of people, preferably on some sort of scoreboard, this is not true of all women. If you know your partner at all then you should be able to figure out what they would want from a proposal. For those who like being the centre of attention go for a big and bold proposal. If they listen to the radio at a certain time every day, get your proposal on air. If your parter is more of a private person, keep it intimate. Take your partner to a special restaurant or prepare their favourite meal at home with champagne and flowers then propose over dessert. Be romantic: However you do it, remember you can never be too romantic. 80% of women who were proposed to said it was not as romantic as they had hoped. Whether you put a note in a fortune cookie saying "Marry me" or create a treasure trail at home that leads to the ring, when you ask the question, make sure you speak from the heart. Tell your partner what you love about them and why you want to marry them. Express yourself as best you can to let your partner know that they are the only person for you. Prepare for the unexpected: No matter how much preparation you put into your proposal it's highly likely things won't go exactly according to plan. Expect the unexpected and make sure you have a back-up plan in case your partner suddenly catches the flu or bad weather scuppers your plans. Check that everything is in place for your big night. If you've made a booking, call ahead and confirm your reservation. If you've hidden the ring, make sure you know where to find it. The main thing to remember is that the proposal is just the beginning so don't put too much pressure on yourself. There'll be plenty more as the wedding approaches. |
