9 Ways to Pull off the Perfect Wedding Proposal

Are you thinking about popping the question to your significant other at some point in the near future? If so, the thought of trying to plan out the perfect proposal might be stressing you out right now. Even if you’re pretty sure that your partner is going to say yes when you get down on one knee, the process of proposing can still be very nerve-racking.

But you don’t have to let your pre-proposal jitters get the best of you. By taking your time and planning out each and every aspect of your proposal, you can make it every bit as memorable as you want it to be.

Here are 9 ways to pull off the perfect proposal and start your journey towards marriage.

1. Begin by Asking for Permission

As recently as a few decades ago, almost everyone who proposed to their significant other asked their partner’s parents for their blessing prior to their proposal.

There aren’t as many people asking for permission to propose these days, but there are still a lot of people who do it. Studies have shown that almost 80 percent of people think it’s important for them to speak with one or both of their partner’s parents before proposing.

If your partner doesn’t have a good relationship with their parents for whatever reason, you might not need to worry about going out of your way to ask for their blessing. But if they’re close with their parents—or have a close relationship with another family member—it’s not a bad idea to seek their permission to propose.

2. Buy the Right Ring

Buying the right ring is obviously one of the most important parts of planning the perfect proposal. If you buy the wrong ring, your entire proposal could get derailed in a matter of moments.

But you don’t need to spend a fortune on a ring to find something that your partner will love. Most millennials are spending about $3,000 on average for engagement rings, but no matter how much you spend on a ring, finding a ring that your partner loves is the only thing that matters.

Pay attention when your partner talks about jewelry and, more specifically, engagement rings in the months leading up to your proposal. You might learn that they prefer moissanite rings over diamond rings or that they would like something subtle as opposed to something that’s too flashy.

3. Decide the Best Day to Propose

There are some days throughout the year that are more popular than others when it comes to proposals. Some of the most popular days to propose include:

• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
• And, of course, Valentine’s Day

There’s nothing wrong with proposing on one of these days if you want to. But there might also be a different day that has some significance to you and your partner.

For example, you might want to choose the day that marks the anniversary of your first date with your partner or the day that you told your partner you love them for the first time.

4. Select an Ideal Location

Once you know what day you’re going to propose to your partner, it’ll be time to pick the perfect location to do it. This can be trickier than you might think.

Some people prefer to pop the question at home to keep their proposal private. Others do it in the middle of an NFL team’s stadium with thousands of people surrounding them. And the rest do it at a place that sits somewhere in between those two extremes.

Consider what your soon-to-be spouse would want as far as location is concerned. If they’re a pretty private person, a low-key location would be best. But if they love being the center of attention, a crowded venue with lots of people around might be a better option.

5. Consider Hiring a Professional Photographer

You might think that, by planning the perfect proposal, you’ll ensure that you and your partner will both remember every single aspect of your proposal for years to come.

But more often than not, the person who is proposing is so nervous that they don’t remember half of what goes on. And the person who is being proposed to is so caught off guard that they don’t remember the moments leading up to the proposal, either.

Make sure you both remember everything by bringing a professional photographer on board and asking them to document your proposal. They can capture everything from you getting down on one knee to your partner’s reaction when they see the ring you bought for them. They might even be able to take a proposal video for you so that you can watch it back later.

6. Choose the Right Words

During your proposal, you should be prepared to say more than just, “Will you marry me?”, to your partner. You should also lead up to that question with some heartfelt words about your relationship and what it has meant to you.

7. Resist the Urge to Rush

Proposing to someone is one of the most stressful things that you’ll ever do. You might be 100 percent sure that they’re going to accept your proposal, but that won’t make you any less nervous to propose.

Take a deep breath before you get started and calm at least some of the nerves. This will allow you to avoid rushing through your proposal and stumbling over your words.

8. Ask Friends and Family to Play a Part

If you think your partner would prefer to keep your proposal as private as it can be, you don’t need to bring friends and family members into the mix. But there are a lot of people who can’t wait to tell their friends and family members that they’re engaged after a proposal.

So, why not invite friends and family members to play some small part in your proposal? Whether they’re involved in the proposal itself or waiting nearby to congratulate you after it’s over, your partner will appreciate you inviting friends and family to tag along.

9. Prepare for Unexpected Surprises

Regardless of how long you spend planning out the perfect proposal, there are going to be things that don’t go according to plan. You’re going to forget to say something you planned on saying or trip over your words while you’re talking.

Don’t let it bother you! Those moments won’t spoil your proposal. In fact, they might make it even more memorable than it’ll already be.

Start Planning Your Perfect Proposal Today

There are more than 2 million Americans who get married every year. If you’re ready to join them, plan out the perfect proposal for your partner today.

Use the tips listed here to guide you along the way. They’ll eliminate a lot of the stress that you might feel otherwise and get your excited about popping the question.

Read our blog to learn about how you can get professional help with a proposal if you need it.