The COVID-19 pandemic affected the wedding sector in myriad ways, from a spike in divorces caused by the stresses and strains of lockdown to a drop in demand for diamond engagement rings during the crisis.
That said, it’s not all doom and gloom, particularly now things here in the UK are opening up and weddings are resuming. Interestingly, the Knot reports that in 2020, there was a rise in spontaneous, often impromptu proposals, with 50% being made within a month of being planned. As 2023 kicks into gear and life returns to something resembling normal, might you be planning to follow suit?
Should you have decided to propose recently and you want the event to be as meaningful and memorable as possible, then you’ve come to the right place; make sure they say ‘yes’ with these 5 steps to the perfect proposal.
Choose A Meaningful Location
If you’re going to avoid taking an L when you pop the big question, then there’s another L word you should be focusing your attention on. Not ‘love’, silly, but location.
The location you choose for your proposal is important. Like, really important. Much like a scene in a romantic movie, the set and scene is everything, and will define the memories of this most special of life milestones.
Ideally, you want to choose a meaningful location where you can perfectly capture both worlds: your relationship with your partner and the significance of the proposal itself.
Try to avoid the obvious cliches of a rooftop bar at sunset or a bent knee on an Eiffel Tower viewing platform, surrounded by tourists. If you’re a true romantic, you might prefer to pop the question in a place with significant meaning to you and your partner, so go for something special and unique to yours and your partner’s history; perhaps where you had your first kiss, your first date, or where you first locked eyes on each other?
Alternatively, a rural hotel retreat or one of the best spa breaks in the UK never fails! Actually, we assume it might sometimes fail, but anyway…
Pick Your Ring
This just in; if you’re thinking about proposing, you’ll need a ring!
Wherever you’re going, just remember to pick out the perfect engagement ring for your partner to make the moment last a lifetime.
Yep, we realise we’re stating the obvious here, but that sentence had a certain flow to it that we couldn’t resist. You might even say that sentence had a ring to it.
If you haven’t discussed the ring yet and want to keep it a surprise for your partner, a trusted friend or parent can help in getting the size and style just right. A little reconnaissance work might be also required in advance of your purchase. Show your partner styles of engagement ring that friends or celebs are flaunting on Instagram and take stock of their reaction. This will inform you of the kind of styles they like.
Read: How to buy the perfect engagement ring for your post pandemic proposal
Ask For The Blessing Of Their Parents
This should be the first step for many when asking for somebody’s hand in marriage, particularly if you and your partner’s family value tradition, ritual and ceremony.
Traditionally, fathers of the bride give their blessing to go ahead with the proposal before it can be officially put in place, though if you think your partner may view this as a misogynistic gesture, it might be worth considering carefully how you phrase things. Perhaps asking both parents is a better shout.
Read: 5 IDEAL ways to propose to a foodie
Capture The Moment To Treasure Forever
To truly immortalise the moment you get down on one knee and your partner (hopefully) says yes, consider hiring a photographer to capture it. Hey, even if they say ‘no’, you might go viral.
Doing so ensures that this once-in-a-lifetime moment isn’t fleeting or over too fast, but rather, you have a keepsake of the proposal that you can keep forever.
If you’re concerned about having a photographer present during a private, intimate moment, you can tell them to be invisible — not literally, but by remaining far away or hidden, and photographing covertly.
Many companies also have proposal specialists who can help with the planning of various aspects of the big moment, making sure everything goes smoothly. Although, they can’t guarantee a favourable outcome, of course!
Keep Those Nerves Under Control
You want to enjoy this special moment as much as your partner, but so many proposals, however well planned or coordinated, are ruined by the nerves of the proposer. Make sure you keep those nerves under control so the whole occasion goes as effortlessly as possible.
Though the virtues of Dutch courage are extolled by some, you don’t want to risk being sloppy or losing your balance on one knee; you want to remember this, after all! Instead, stay smooth and suave and save the champers for after you’ve popped the question, and learn a few simple breathing exercises to keep you cool under pressure.
Good luck, and we hope to receive our wedding invitation soon!
