Make Sure It Is Right The First Time...

Popping the question tips… it is a big step to make and it can be a life changing moment so it is essential to choose your moment well.

This is not to encourage exclusively cheesy behavior but think about it this way: The second you tell anyone that you are getting engaged (the same goes for your partner) it is a perfectly normal question to ask for a vivid description of how it was done. Therefore it should not be done when either of you has had one too many to drink. Similarly proposing while lying naked in one another’s arms after a wild night is not one you want being told and retold to your friends and family.

Just as you get only one chance to make a first impression you would hope that ideally you should be only asking one person to marry you in your lifetime, well let’s focus on that intention anyway. There are many tried and trusted ways in which to pop the question, while they may seem a little cheesy you have to keep in mind that there is a reason they have become tried and trusted and are done so often is that they work.

A romantic dinner, candlelight is optional, her favorite restaurant is good or your favorite as a couple, a fast food chain is not ideal unless it has some special significance. For example if you were first introduced in the local jumbo burger or went on your first date there then that could work.

Under the umbrella of dinner there is the old move of putting a ring in their champagne glass - the risk of them swallowing the ring is there though. During a romantic picnic in the countryside in beautiful surroundings is a pretty good one. Serving her a surprise breakfast in bed with the ring hidden under her napkin is excellent.

You can see the common factor from all these scenarios that as well as being deeply romantic they also make a story that not only would be suitable to tell all your friends and family but also with a bit of luck you may be telling the story to your grandkids.

On to the proposal itself you should try not to make the start of the proposal too heavy or ominous sounding. Popping the question with something like "there was something I wanted to ask you" sounds a lot better than "we need to talk". After all, if your proposal begins by sounding like a breakup speech it may ruin the moment or your partner may freak out before you get the chance to reach the part where you actually propose. A ring is not mandatory, also selecting the right size and also the right style can be tricky. There is the added benefit that you can emphasize it was something that you wanted to shop for together to make sure you both love it and that it fits.

In summary, a well thought out proposal needs more than just saying "marry me". A well chosen romantic setting and eloquently popping the question will not only make the chances of acceptance higher but will give you a story that will warm the hearts of everyone who hears it.

An article inspired by Richard Ford