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So, you intend to propose to your significant other. But having made this decision, you’re still left with the question of how to do it right. Since, ideally, you’re only going to do this once in your life, it’s worth putting in some planning. If you know exactly how everything is going to work, then you might find that the process is a great deal less nerve-wracking.
Get on the same page
When you’re planning a proposal, you might have to balance a contradiction. On one hand, you’d like the proposal to come as a surprise, because surprises will make things more emotional and memorable. On the other hand, you’ll want to ensure that you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to the future of your relationship, and how soon that future should arrive.
If you share a set of values with your significant other, you can’t imagine yourself being with anyone else, and you both want (or don’t want) children, then marriage is a reasonable next step. If you can spot a few potential points of tension, then it’s worth getting those out in the open before you make a commitment of this kind.
The right location
You can propose just about anywhere. The right location will depend on your personality. If you’re an introvert, you might seek to keep things private. If you’re an extrovert, on the other hand, you might go as public as you can.
In some cases, there might be a location that holds a special emotional significance for both of you. It might be the restaurant where you had your first date, or it might be the site of a memorable early holiday. Chances are good that an answer springs immediately to mind. If it doesn’t, have a long think.
On the other hand, you might shun the familiar in favour of something that’s completely novel and exciting. Certain holiday destinations might make a great match for your purposes. Cities lit up at night, or spectacular natural wonders, both make for great destinations. If you’ve spent four hours hiking up a mountainside, then the view from the summit might be all the sweeter if you can crown it with a proposal.
Picking the ring
The ring plays a central role in every modern wedding proposal. Choosing the ring means weighing a range of criteria. Engagement rings come in many forms, so make sure that you understand the variables involved before you make the decision. Generally speaking, if you’re shopping for diamonds, you’ll want to consider the colour, clarity and cut before you think about the carat. It’s better to have something small and glittering than something large and dull. Shop for a stone that’s slightly smaller than the nearest half-carat. A ninety-nine-point diamond is indistinguishable from a one-carat one, and it will cost less.
Plan the afterwards
When you’re planning a proposal, it’s easy to focus on the moment itself. But your significant other will need some time to process what’s just happened, and if you immediately head home, it can easily feel like an anticlimax. Arrange to go out somewhere special. You might have friends show up, and all go for drinks together. Or, you might have a particular romantic meal planned.
