Marriage Proposal Tips

5 Marriage Proposal Tips (or How to Pop the Question)!

Planning a marriage proposal, or ‘popping the question’, typically gets left to the men to do, doesn’t it? Except for the leap years of course – where that old tradition dictates this is when the women can propose. 2020 is a leap year ladies, if that’s important to you! However, I’m all about equality over here, regardless of whoever wants to propose marriage to who. So, if you’re planning to pop the question to your other half, here are 5 top marriage proposal tips for you!

couple kissing by a sign saying happily ever after starts here

#1: The Total Surprise

The grand gesture is all well and good. But how suspicious is your partner going to get if you suddenly book a lavish dinner or a weekend away in Paris? Especially if you’re the kind of couple that doesn’t normally do that sort of thing. If you really want to surprise them with a proposal, then do it when they’re least expecting it!

There was a great story circulating round on social media not so long ago. A guy decided to propose to his girlfriend at a time she would least suspect it. But first he captured selfies with the ring while she was in the background doing ordinary life stuff. You know, like cleaning, sleeping, or going out for a walk! It goes to show you can make even the most unassuming proposal something out of the ordinary.

#2: The Grand Gesture

Of course, if you are the kind of person who books fancy dinners in beautiful locations, then suspicions won’t be raised. In which case, why not go for the grand gesture and drop down on one knee during a romantic dinner somewhere? There’s definitely something very special and memorable about this kind of marriage proposal. I’m sure it’d be a story happily shared for many years to come.

A handy tip here though. If you’re going for this option, please don’t hide rings in drinks or in food! The last thing you want is some kind of choking incident and a trip to A&E instead of a beautiful proposal story. It always makes me nervous when I see people doing this in the movies. They clearly haven’t considered the perils of this idea!

#3: If You Can’t Keep A Secret, Don’t Try!

For some people, the idea of keeping a secret, especially something as exciting as a marriage proposal, can be excruciating. So why even try, if that’s you?

I still maintain that my husband only proposed because he didn’t know what to get me for my birthday. But he insists it was planned and that he was paying attention to my hints every time we passed a jewellery shop. However, once he decided on a ring and got it in his possession, he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep it secret. So, he popped the question almost immediately after coming home from collecting it! How sweet is that?

#4: Consider Using an Accomplice

Sometimes, planning a big proposal might need more than one person. Or, if you’re planning a proposal at a family gathering, for example, it’s sometimes worth getting a few people in on the surprise to help you.

You’ve all heard of flash mobs, right? Well those don’t happen without a little extra help. Even if a flash mob is not your style, a proposal round the Christmas Tree with all your family present can be all the lovelier by involving those people as part of the surprise. Although, like tip #3, if you have a family member who is terrible at keeping secrets, then don’t get them involved!

#5: You Don’t Have to Wait Until You Have A Ring

Having the ring does not a marriage proposal make. What’s important is the sentiment and the asking of the question. So, don’t feel you have to go and buy a ring first. Especially if you have the kind of partner who would like to pick out their own ring!

That being said, if it’s important to you, you can always use a “prop” ring in the interim. Maybe something completely out of the ordinary so your other half knows it’s not “The Ring” – like a Haribo ring, or a Monster Munch! I could suggest others, but you get the idea.

diamond engagement ring on a purple flower

So, if you’ve been thinking about making the big proposal in the coming weeks, with Christmas and New Year on the way, not to mention Valentine’s Day and a Leap Year in a few short months, now is the time to start thinking about how you’re going to tackle it. Hopefully these tips will give you some ideas but whatever you decide will be absolutely perfect. I’m sure your other half will treasure the memory for many years to come.

So, bite the bullet and pop that question! And good luck!

Once you’ve proposed, what happens next? Once your loved one has accepted your proposal, why don’t you sign up to my helpful set of emails that tells you exactly what to do next?

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