Is there anything in life as nerve-wracking as asking somebody to marry you?
Well, yes, to be honest. Flying into a warzone, doing a bungee jump, and attending an all-important job interview are just some of the things that come to mind. But still, plucking up the courage to ask your girl to marry you isn’t easy, especially if you aren’t sure she will say ‘yes.’ Still, provided there are no red flags in your relationship, you might be in for a chance, especially if you’re sure she loves you as much as you love her.
To ensure you get it right then, here are some tips that we hope you will find useful.
#1: Buy her a ring she will adore
If you don’t have a ring to hand over when you’re proposing, then you may as well forget it. But don’t assume a ring pull from a Coke can or that plastic thing you found in last year’s Christmas cracker will suffice. To really show your girlfriend you love her, you need to buy her something she will adore and proudly wear for the rest of her life. Check out these high-quality engagement rings, for example, which we think are especially beautiful. Save up your cash until you can afford something elegant, or, at the very least, buy the best according to your budget. You might want to speak to your girlfriend’s family and friends too, as they will give you an idea of what kind of ring she might like. Let’s just hope they don’t mention something with too many diamonds attached!
#2: Choose the ideal location
Sorry, but proposing to your girlfriend on the back of the bus just won’t cut it. Choosing the right location isn’t always easy, but you should put some thought into it. For example, you might choose the place where you both shared your first kiss. Or you might go on vacation to one of these romantic places to propose, which include Verona, perfect for a Romeo and Juliet style proposal, or the Eiffel Tower in Paris (assuming she isn’t afraid of heights). Or choose a place local to you, perhaps somewhere as scenic as a local park, or anywhere that you know holds special significance for her. Think about the type of person your girlfriend is too. If she’s a private person, you should probably propose somewhere quiet rather than anywhere that is going to attract a lot of crowds. As is seen with this failed ballpark proposal, she might only walk away, probably in embarrassment at being put on the spotlight if you propose in front of an audience. Hopefully, if you know your girlfriend well enough, you should be able to think of somewhere suitable. The more thought you put into it, the more memorable it will be for her.
#3: Say something heartfelt
Don’t jump straight to the question, “will you marry me?” as the buildup could be just as important to your girlfriend. Perhaps read her a romantic poem that can put your thoughts into words, or sing her a well-known love song. Or craft your own words, letting her know how much she means to you, and why you love her as much as you do. You might even combine the two, perhaps writing a poem or song yourself if you are able to do so. Make sure you rehearse what you are going to say beforehand too. You will probably be a bag of nerves in the lead up to the proposal, but if you have gone through what you are going to say in advance, you will be less likely to mess up your words and sabotage the proposal.
#4: Do something creative
The proposal should be memorable and be the basis of a story that your girlfriend can tell for many years to come. Therefore, think of a creative way to propose to her. You could take out a full-page ad in a newspaper, for example, and encourage her to read the paper after having a romantic breakfast. You could bake her a cake (or get a professional to do it if your baking skills are nil) with a frosted top containing the words of your proposal. Or you could reenact a scene from a romantic movie, perhaps along the lines of Notting Hill, role-reversing the quote to say to your girl that ‘you’re just a boy, standing in front of a girl, asking her to love him.’ Here are some other romantic movie proposals you might consider. Do anything other than the norm, as by putting time and effort into the proposal, you will show her how much she means to you.
#5: Bring in the professionals
While the proposal should be an intimate moment, you might still have people on standby to give the event special resonance. You might want to hire a professional photographer, for example, as they could take pictures of the special moment, or they might document it on video if you prefer. You might want to hire a band too, as they could play romantic music in the background as you’re going through your speech. You might also consider an after-party, so if you have asked your bride-to-be to marry you at a particular venue or location, you could have caterers on standby (as well as family and friends waiting in the wings) to cook up a storm in celebration of your happy news. Of course, you need to be reasonably certain that the proposal will go in your favor, but in the unlikely event that it doesn’t, be sure to check the refund policies of the professionals you have hired!
Finally
Of course, when we say ‘perfect’ wedding proposal, it doesn’t matter if certain things don’t go according to plan. If your girlfriend loves you as you suspect she does, she will hopefully overlook any minor hiccups in your planning (or real hiccups if nerves get the better of you). But follow our suggestions, as the more you can do to make your proposal a success, the better. You will then have better peace of mind about the day, and she will have something special that she can look back on and treasure in her mind forever.