Proposing to the love of your life shouldn’t be nerve-wracking, and yet it always seems to end up that way. Even if you know for a fact that your proposal will be accepted, most people want fanfare. They want their proposal to be romantic, special, and memorable.
That is where the stress can come from. Planning something elaborate, romantic, or fun can really take its toll on you. You want your proposal to make for a great story, but stressing about it isn’t going to help. Instead, follow these steps so that you can plan the ultimate proposal for your special someone:
Start by Finding the Perfect Ring
If you have everything else ready but don’t have that perfect ring, you will feel the pressure. You can plan the outline while looking, but save actually booking or planning the date for after you’ve found the perfect ring. This doesn’t have to be a frantic search, either. Just subscribe to sellers so you can see their newest diamond engagement rings when they release them. This way, you always know when a new ring is released and can pounce if you find one that suits your girlfriend best.
Know Your Budget
You don’t want to go overboard with your proposal. It should be in your budget (after all, you’d have already spent big on the ring). You can plan anything, even without a single extra cent, just by being clever and using what you have.
You can plan the ultimate proposal in your own backyard, or on a big extravagant trip. Just keep it in budget so that you can enjoy the experience instead of stress about the cost.
Figure Out How You Will Document It
Most people want to document their proposal. They want to relive that moment of pure joy, so figure out in advance how you will video it or photograph it. This could be by getting friends involved, or by setting up a remote video camera in advance and then sending it off to get it edited down (or trying the editing process for yourself).
Keep it Personal
Don’t worry too much about what other people have done for their proposals. The only thing that matters is your future wife and your relationship. If you have a secret in-joke that no one else gets, use that as inspiration. If you two have a song or a special spot, then it doesn’t matter if it isn’t your typical proposal location – go for it! You are asking this woman to join you for the rest of your life, so celebrate what makes your relationship so special.
Your proposal is just for you and your future wife. Plan it for the both of you, and have fun while doing it. You don’t need to spend a lot if you don’t want to or cannot afford to.
In fact, creativity and a thoughtful touch are going to go a long way toward making the event special.
