Hooray!! You’ve fallen in love with the perfect person, and now you’re ready to ask that all important question. What a time…but, how best to go about it? Proposing to your significant other should be a personal affair but there are some general guidelines to help you set the stage to hear, “yes!” Let this guide sooth your nerves and give you a starting point for the perfect proposal.

1. Picking the perfect ring
2. The right time
3. The right place
4. Let their loved ones know
5. Create a believable backstory
6. Hire a photographer
7. Ask

Picking the perfect ring

You’ve been together for a while; you know your SO inside and out. Keep an eye out for the style of jewelry they wear. If you are considering popping the question, have a conversation about marriage and they may tell you point blank what they want. However, if you are hoping to keep it a total surprise speak to his/her closest confidants—they will know what ring your SO wants. You may even want to take said confidant ring shopping with you. Swear them to secrecy!

The right time

Once you decide to propose, you’ll need to pick a date to ask. Consider an anniversary or a date that is significant to you as a couple. This is a surprisingly good place to personalize your proposal. When in doubt the holiday season is always popular, but I am a fan of choosing a date closer to the heart.

The right place

Again, significance is key in making a memorable proposal. Where did you go on your first date? Where is a place your SO has always wanted to go? Where do you spend the most time together? These are the questions you should be asking when picking “the where” of your proposal.

Let their loved ones know

These days asking for a blessing is a courtesy at learn and ignored at most. If it is important to your intended that you receive a blessing, then DO NOT skip this step. If, however, they have no strong feelings on the matter, it is still a kind gesture to inform their family before the fact. They will be great allies in creating a backstory to keep your love in the dark for as long as possible. This leads to the next step in the perfect proposal.

Create a believable backstory

If you hope to keep the actual proposal a surprise, you will need to enlist some help to create a reason for your strange behavior and whatever outing you have planned. It will be worth it when you see the look on their face when you open up that ring box.

Hire a photographer

This is not a necessary step, but I highly recommend it! If your SO follows any photographers on social, consider hiring them. Whoever you choose they will be able to give you in depth advice on what to wear, lighting, exact spot to drop to one knee. Carly of Carly Rose photography has some helpful tips on engagement shoots here! Capture every moment forever. Totally worth it!

Ask

All that’s left to do is ask them to be yours forever, on one knee, standing, tilting at a windmill. You can do this. And all your favorite person has to do is say, “yes.”

Congratulations!!! Your engaged! Now all that’s left to do is hire a planner, find a venue, and get married. For some of my planning tips click here.

When you and your fiancé are ready, inquire with Lemon Drop Events Co. to start planning your wedding!