Making Sure Your Wedding Proposal Runs Smootly
Committing to spend your life with someone you love is a big decision. There is a lot to think about when considering asking someone to marry you. If you are confident in your love for each other, then getting married is the next logical conclusion for your relationship.
Planning your proposal and subsequent engagement and wedding can be all-consuming; after all, the last thing you want is for this occasion to be memorable for all the wrong reasons. As soon as you are resolute in your decision to ask the one you love to marry you, your first port of call should be to confide in someone you trust who can help you not only to plan the perfect proposal but help you to make sure this is the right decision for you at this time.
Respectful Proposal
Before you make any other plans, you need to consider how your proposal will be met. Take into consideration any religious requirements that you might need to be mindful of, along with any personal traditions that mean a lot. After all, the last thing you want is to burn bridges at the beginning of your journey to becoming married.
Do as much research as possible and, if applicable, ask family members for help to ensure you get the appropriate and respectful proposal that is considerate of the beliefs and feelings of all parties to really show you can, and you are making an effort, even if you don’t hold the same values or beliefs.
One such tradition is to ask for a parent’s permission to marry their child. Not all families request this, but many still do so as a sign of respect, especially if they hold traditional views and customs regarding marriage.
Choosing Your Engagement Ring
You want to make sure you are putting effort and research into finding the right engagement ring to propose with. While the value of the engagement ring shouldn’t be a factor, it probably would be helpful for you to stick to a budget you can afford.
Save up beforehand if you want to purchase the ring outright; otherwise, think carefully about getting into debt to purchase the perfect ring. After all, once you become married, the debt will be something you are responsible for if it isn’t paid off completely before the wedding. While there isn’t a set amount to spend on an engagement ring, different cultures and customs may dictate how much of your income you should spend on a ring such as this.
Some people are upfront and vocal about the type of ring they expect when someone proposes. If this is the case, try to find the right compromise for their desires and your budget. If not, you need to look around for the perfect engagement ring that they will love. Asking around family and friends can offer you more insight into their preferences, as can evaluating the other jewelry they currently wear.
Next, you need to decide if you want to buy an off-the-shelf engagement ring that is already designed and can be resized to your requirements from a retailer or if you want something a little bit more special and unique. Choosing a jeweler who is experienced in creating high-quality engagement rings such as Allurez family jewelers can help you find a ring designed exactly for the person you are proposing to. You can even design your wedding ring alongside your engagement ring to allow for a complete fit and set of rings that perfectly complement each other.
Location
Where you propose can have just as much impact on the proposal as much as other factors, including the ring and timing. In fact, when it comes to planning the perfect location for your proposal, there isn’t one such perfect place. The location is truly dependent on being somewhere that holds meaning or is special to you and your partner.
It could be that they have always dreamed of their proposal being in a super romantic location in front of lots of people or being featured on the jumbotron at your favorite venue. For others, the perfect location for a wedding proposal is somewhere quiet and intimate that affords you privacy and the chance to enjoy this moment together before you let others in on what is happening.
If you are planning to propose at a venue, then calling ahead to discuss your plans can allow for the staff to help accommodate your requirements and support your plans. Include them in what would make the proposal go smoothly and more often than not, you will most places to be very accommodating of this special event for you, especially if you are regular visitors.
Pay attention to your partner’s likes and dislikes when it comes to visiting different places and socializing. This will likely indicate how they would feel about different proposals and what they would and wouldn’t enjoy.
Planning Your Proposal – The Small Details
So now you know what type of ring you will be buying and the ideal location for your proposal, you need to arrange the finer details. Who will be present at your location? Do you need to inform the venue of your plans, and do they have proposal options to accommodate your request? Will you be documenting the proposal and need a photographer or videographer? Do you need to buy accessories to set the scene?
This is where it becomes easier to have assistance in getting all the small details right. You want someone close to your partner who can keep a secret and assist you in planning the perfect proposal without raising suspicion or accidentally slipping up and letting the cat out of the bag, so to speak.
Remember all the information you have gleaned about what a perfect proposal for your other half looks like, which should be used to help you get all the details right. Not everyone wants a super public proposal on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, nor might they want big public displays of affection. These details need to be honored and play an intricate part in the smaller details too.
This Is Your Day Too
A wedding proposal is about the love between two people. While you might be going all out to ensure it is memorable and perfect for your partner, don’t forget about what you want to do. Planning a huge elaborate proposal when you are more of a shy introvert who hates attention isn’t going to end well for anyone. It will only add to the stress and pressure of the situation and increase any anxiety you might have about doing this right.
It could be that you need to compromise. Let’s take Paris, for example. You have booked the trip and the tickets to head up to the Eiffel tower. However, you might want to leave your proposal until you are back on the ground, maybe getting some food overlooking the tower at night or close by.
If you are overly worried about this, then look at the bigger picture and see what adaptations you can make to make it special and less nerve-wracking if possible. After all, if you are both in a place where you want this to happen, they will understand that some things aren’t comfortable.
It can be helpful to run through different scenarios in your head or out loud and write down everything you want to say or do so you can practice beforehand to alleviate nerves. Not everyone is good with spontaneity. Being able to prepare yourself for different scenarios or events during your proposal can help you to think on the spot should you need to adapt your plans at the last minute.
Prepare for The Unexpected
Lastly, when considering the perfect wedding proposal, you want to be conscious of your life’s timing and external events. It isn’t always a case of there being a perfect time to propose, but there are most definitely times when you shouldn’t propose.
If you are experiencing huge upheavals in your life and a lot is going on, maybe you want to wait until things have evened out so your proposal can go as smoothly as possible. Alternatively, always have a backup plan in mind if things don’t go to plan on the day. This way, you can still propose or salvage the occasion without everything being completely ruined.
Conclusion
A wedding proposal can be as elaborate or intimate as you wish, and any plans should be made in the best interests of both parties involved to really make the right impact and create a safe and loving environment for you both to enjoy this time together. Of course, there will always be nerves involved; however, putting plans in place and taking the extra time to prepare beforehand can help you make sure things go off without a hitch. That is until you do actually get hitched!
Lastly, enjoy this moment and don’t lose sight of what it is all about—two people who love each other and are willing to spend the rest of their lives together.