Planning a Proposal

First, it isn’t always “the guy” who does the proposing! So, gals, this is for you, too!

Whether you met in high school, through a mutual friend, or on aapp, you found love, and now you’ve decided you want to make a more formal commitment. As I’m sure you already know, figuring out how to propose is a major undertaking!

To make your long-awaited moment run as smoothly as possible (and to ensure it's the type of proposal your partner actually), here are a few things you may want to consider before you get down on one knee.

01 Make sure you’re on the same page!

This may seem obvious, but before you make your plan, it’s really important to make you both have marriage on the brain. Talk to your partner about the future. Let them know that one day you’d like to be married and ask if they see marriage in their future, too. Keep it broad. Talk about your friend’s recent engagement, and use that as a lead-in. Hopefully you’ll come away with an idea of what your partner will say when you open that ring box and pop the question. 

02 Talk with their parents!

Old school? Yes. Important? Quite possibly! It really depends on the family, but if your partner has hinted in any way that you need to ask their parents, do it! Try something like: “I am deeply in love with our son/daughter, and we want to spend our lives together. I am planning to propose and want you to be involved.”

03 Buy the ring!

Theringa piece of jewelry your partner will wear every day for the rest of their life, so get a sense of what they really love. Snap photos of the jewelry they wear every day, take a peek at their Pinterest boards, or ask a close friend or family member to help narrow it down. Then get recommendations from friends and family about jewelers to make sure you’re purchasing from a trusted store with great reviews and service.

Last but certainly not least, find out their ring size. If it’s not a secret, just ask. If you’re going the surprise route, find a ring they wear regularly (and make a note of which finger it goes on). Then either bring it with you to a jeweler or mark how far it fits on your own finger. Many jewelers can also make a good guess at a ring size based on your partner’s height and weight. And there’s always.

04 Plan the proposal!

You’ve got your ring. Now think about the type of proposal your partner will love. Do you want to make it a grand gesture?  Or maybe you want more of an intimate moment? Or, will it be a surprise surrounded by family and friends? You want to then focus on a beautiful spot that means something to both of you. It can be where you went on your first date. It could even be in your living room — but maybe decorated with candles and fairy lights to change the feel of the space. Most of all, make it personal to them and to you. 

05 Hire your photographer as soon as you can!

Your soon-to-be fiancé(e) will love you all the more for finding someone to capture the occasion. Whether it’s a surprise, or they know it’s coming, you can expect some epic reaction shots! But get on it because photographers may be booked months in advance.

My proposal packages include an impromptu engagement portrait shoot right after the proposal! 

06 Lastly, be flexible and don’t rush it!

Life happens. Be prepared to go with the flow. Don’t rush the proposal just because the sun is about to set or dinner is nearly over. Wait until the moment feels right. When it comes, take a deep breath, get down on one knee, and pitch the sentiment speech you’ve probably been rehearsing millions of times. Give your partner a moment to take in what’s happening — time must be given to process, cry, react. Once they’ve collected themselves, listen for their response, and put the ring on their finger. They may beat you to it and hold out their hand for you.