Engagement 101: The Dos And Don’ts For A Memorable Proposal
You have decided that she is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with and have the ideal personalized engagement ring on hand. Now, you just need to plan out the proposal to express your heartfelt love. After all, there are so many elaborate proposal trends in this digital age (especially on social media), that it can be hard to decide the right way to propose.
This may unnerve you as you might be thinking: how can I simultaneously make make the proposal romantic and social media-worthy? The good news on this front is that you may not have to try and achieve both. After all, your partner might actually prefer a small-scale, intimate proposal over a flashy, public performance.
That being said, asking for someone’s hand in marriage is a significant milestone, so your proposal should be well-thought-out and elegantly executed. This will also provide her with the extra push to say yes!
While it is expected for you to add your own flair to the proposal to make it extra special, here are some dos and don’ts before you present the ring to her.
The dos’
1. Do make it meaningful to you and her
If there is ever a time to be sentimental, your proposal would be it, so it is a great time to reminisce about the significant moments of your relationship.
The location of your proposal is particularly relevant as it serves as the backdrop to frame the whole experience. One option is to keep it simple by opting for where you first met, had your first kiss, or confirmed your love for each other. Perhaps there is a particular restaurant or park you frequented during your courtship that you might want to revisit.
Whatever the case is, you do not have to go for expensive decorations to beautify the venue if it is out of your budget, since it is the thought that counts.
If you both share a love for something specific such as a movie, book, or song, you can creatively weave these novel details into the proposal to make the day more memorable.
2. Do know the answer before asking
Let’s suppose you have not discussed the relationship’s future with her or made any concrete plans of building a life together. In that case, it might be advisable to think twice before you get down on one knee and propose with a personalized diamond ring.
Since the proposal should be a pleasant surprise, we advise you to ensure that she is on board with the idea of a lifelong commitment. Otherwise, you may face some embarrassment or disappointment if she hesitates, agrees out of shock, or worst of all - says no. Do your homework to ensure that she will say yes before implementing your plans.
3. Do plan the details thoroughly
Since this is the moment she has been waiting for her whole life, it would be ideal to do some research on how she envisions her dream proposal. Perhaps she has shared her secret desires with a family member or friend. In that case, a few discreet conversations might unearth some unexpected wishes on her part, including the kind of setting that she would feel comfortable in.
Since this proposal story will be recounted to loved ones for years to come, you may want to document this moment as a keepsake. One option is to hire a professional photographer to capture the moment. Alternatively, you can engage the help of friends or even install hidden cameras on your own to record the joyous moment.
This goes without saying, but it is crucial that you take care of your ring and do not misplace it before the big moment. There are multiple stories on social media where plans went awry, either because the girl found the ring or the guy lost it somehow.
Ensure you keep the ring safe until the proposal day arrives, and do not drop it when proposing. It can be quite a debacle if you lose the ring in a way that makes it challenging to retrieve, such as dropping it into a lake or having it stolen by zoo animals.
The don’ts
1. Don’t make it trendy
While popular new restaurants seem like the perfect venue at first glance, they can just as easily be tomorrow’s old news. After all, trendy spots can come and go.
When choosing a destination to ask your partner for her hand in marriage, it would be ideal to select a more permanent location, such as a historical monument or a beautiful outdoor location. It gives you the option to return, even if it is on your 30th wedding anniversary.
If you are still keen on a particular restaurant, you could plan to go before or after the proposal. Even if you pop the question at dinner, it would be nice to jot down the evening’s highlights, such as the appetizer, main course, dessert, and drink choices. That way, you can recreate this marvelous meal for upcoming anniversaries.
2. Don’t be a copycat
While plenty of proposal ideas are available online, you should not duplicate their plans entirely. They make excellent research material for inspiration, but it does not mean your partner would not recognize the template from a viral video. After all, no two couples are alike, so your proposal should also be one-of-a-kind and reflect you and your partner’s unique love story.
The distinctive features of the occasion do not have to be an extravagant gesture; they can be something understated, such as incorporating a family heirloom or dancing to your favorite music. There are many ways to create a moment, but make sure it will be memorable, meaningful, and unique to both of you.
3. Don’t spoil the surprise
It is understandable to seek advice from as many people as possible before the proposal. Nevertheless, one critical mistake you can make is revealing too much to too many people, which may lead to vital information being leaked to your significant other.
It is helpful to keep the circle of trust small, and provide information selectively to those whom you need help from on a need-to-know basis. Perhaps she has a best friend you can entrust with the details, but her parents may unknowingly let details slip with suspicious comments so it is best to be discerning about who you decide to rope into the plan.
Conclusion
Regardless of your plans, it is recommended that you spend time thinking through the thoughtful details you want to incorporate into your proposal. Combining the ideal proposal elements and avoiding the common mistakes above can help you craft a moment that you can both keep in your hearts for many years to come.
If you are still stuck on the first step of getting the ring, allow August Bespoke to assist you on your proposal journey. We offer unique engagement rings in Singapore that can represent your bride-to-be perfectly.
To help narrow your search, take our 7-Question Ring Style Quiz to discover her ideal ring and come to our free monthly Masterclass to learn more about how to avoid a $10,000 mistake.
If you already have a deadline in mind and need personalized help, book a consultation with our friendly experts today so we can walk you through everything you need to know to make this moment one to remember.
How can we help?
You can expect a response the next working day.
