How To Propose - The 9 DEFINITIVE Steps by Proposal Planners

How To Propose

Congratulations on being ready to Pop the Question! Proposing marriage is one of the most important events of your life. There’s a good chance this will be the only time in your life that you do this. So if you’re at this step then you need to make sure that you do it right! The Heart Bandits are professional Proposal Planners and it is therefore our job is to make sure you know exactly How to Propose the right way. Keep reading to learn nine things that you absolutely have to do when proposing marriage.

Steps for How To Propose Marriage

1. Make Sure You’re On The Same Page

happy couple

On the day you propose, a lot could go wrong. For example you could lose the ring, it could rain, or you could miss a flight. But the absolute worst thing that can happen is for your partner to say “No”.

The first thing you need to determine is if you’re ready for this big step. Ask yourself, do you have the same values? Are you compatible? Do you really see yourself spending the rest of your life with this person? If you can honestly answer yes, the next most important question is if your partner is ready. Normally at a certain stage in a relationship the talk will come up. If it hasn’t, don’t be afraid to take the initiative and bring it up BEFORE proposing.

2. Ask Parents’ Blessing

Even though this may seem outdated, this is one tradition that society has held on to. It can also be very important to some people. It can be a sign of respect to your partner’s family and should be considered. The absolute best way to do it is in person. If distance is a factor then consider asking over the phone, Skype, or a letter would suffice.

3. Buy A Ring

new-york-custom-propsosal-planning-6-odtmtvrtrnpjg6yxm5q5kfx1raq5tsy6ncva0vve6s

Some people are so terrified of choosing the wrong ring that they propose with no ring and opt to get one later. Presenting the ring is a sign of your commitment. It makes the moment real and is a timeless tradition that your partner will be expecting.

Do your research! Find out their ring style by looking at your partner’s existing jewelry. You can also ask their friends and family or go see a trustworthy jeweler. If you absolutely can’t decide on a ring, at least propose with a placeholder ring.

4. Get A Slim Engagement Ring Box

Ring Stash - slim engagement ring box open

Once you have purchased the engagement ring, you’ll realize a very realistic problem.  The engagement ring box is most likely HUGE!  If you were to use the standard ring box for your proposal, then it would make it pretty obvious that you are hiding something in your clothing.  You will already be nervous so there’s no sense in adding to that stress.   The best option is to get yourself a slim engagement ring box so that on your engagement day, you’ll only have to enjoy your moment and not stress about the surprise being ruined much much earlier.

5. Choose the Right Location

The location is one of the first things you’ll need to think about when planning your proposal. Where do you want to create this unforgettable memory? So to help you start brainstorming the best proposal locations, think about a place that holds special meaning to the two of you—maybe where you first met or shared a memorable trip—or somewhere completely new that captures the essence of your relationship.

Whether it’s a cozy picnic in a park, a candlelit dinner at a fancy restaurant, or a mountaintop at sunset, the location should be something that makes sense for your love story. The Heart Bandits has proposal packages in many cities around the world so contact us if you are looking for the perfect proposal location.

6. Create The Perfect Proposal Idea

hawaii-custom-proposal-idea-7

When people know they want to propose, they tend to focus on getting the engagement ring and tend to overlook a huge part; creating the perfect proposal idea! When you announce your engagement, the first question people will ask your partner is “How did he propose?”.  If you didn’t have a good engagement idea and instead just rolled out of bed and popped the question, your partner would be mortified to tell that story to anyone else.

Some people imagine a grand, dramatic gesture—think popping the question in front of a crowd, or at a famous landmark—while others prefer a more intimate, quiet setting with just the two of you. What feels right for you both?

As you think about how you want the moment to unfold, consider what your partner enjoys. Do they love attention and the idea of a grand proposal, or are they more private and prefer a more low-key approach? The key here is to make it personal to your relationship and something that will resonate deeply with them. The Heart Bandits specializes in creating custom proposal ideas and then bringing those to life with our Proposal Planning skills.

7. Get Proposal Planning Help!

custom-designed-new-york-proposal-idea-7

Unless your proposal idea is very simple with little to no setup, it is a very good idea to hire a proposal planner.  A proposal planner will assist with many aspects of your proposal.  The Heart Bandits proposal planners will assist in helping you find the perfect venue for your idea.  Whether the idea is public or private, they would help you identify what works best for your idea.  They would help you in identifying the best vendors at the best price for your budget.  The decor would be selected so that it goes perfectly with the vision you have.  Lastly, they would coordinate with all the vendors involved so that you can just focus on enjoying your moment rather than being an event planner, which is a lot harder than people realize.

8. The Proposal Speech

When it comes to asking for forever, it’s easy to feel nervous about what to say, but don’t stress too much. The words should come from your heart, and there’s no wrong way to express how you feel. You don’t need to memorize a speech or deliver a perfectly polished monologue. What matters is that you speak from the heart and show your partner just how much they mean to you.

Maybe you’ll talk about the memories you’ve shared, the future you want to build together, and why you can’t imagine life without them. Or maybe a simple “Will you marry me? Is your style” Either way, your sincerity is what will make the moment unforgettable. Read more here to help you create the perfect proposal speech.

9. Popping The Question!

Rooftop Marriage Proposal

The big day has finally arrived! You’re fairly confident that she will say yes. You have the engagement ring with the slim engagement ring box. You have the perfect proposal idea that incorporates elements of your relationship. You hired The Heart Bandits proposal planners so you know all the details will be taken care. You have the big topics for your speech ready so you’re good to go!

Now the biggest thing to do is just ENJOY your moment. It is understandable to be nervous but don’t let your nerves get the best of you that your partner notices that something is off that day. They say that the wedding is the bride’s day but the proposal is your day so make sure you savor all the moments of it when you see the emotion in your partner’s face when you pop the question.

10. After Celebration and Engagement Announcement

proposal celebration

Now that your partner said YES, you get to celebrate!  Make sure that you have something planned for after your proposal.  This can be as simple as dinner or maybe just a champagne toast somewhere.  If that’s not ideal, then a way of celebrating would be to call your closest friends and family to let them know the good news.

If you hired a photographer for your proposal, make sure to ask them if you can get a preview photo.  This way, you can use your photo to share on social media to share the wonderful news of your new engagement!