You know who you want to propose to, so pat yourself on the back because that’s half the journey. Next, you need to figure out the perfect engagement. If you feel like it’s crunch time, you’re certainly not alone. According to WeddingPro, about 85 percent of couples begin wedding planning in less than two months after getting engaged, so let’s get started. From figuring out which engagement ring you’re going to get them to having to plan the engagement party, here are our six tips for planning the perfect engagement.
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1. Picking the Engagement Ring
Perhaps you’ve decided to get your significant other a classic and timeless solitaire engagement ring with that sparkling diamond in the middle. If you’re not sure what kind of engagement ring your partner would want, we don’t recommend asking your partner directly, especially if you want to make a surprise proposal. Instead, browse their Pinterest boards and see what kind of wedding attire, decorations and rings they may have pinned to their board. Look at their Instagram and TikTok to see which kinds of wedding planning or wedding inspiration accounts they’ve been following. If you see a recurring theme, like Old Hollywood glamour or rustic chic, you’ll get a better sense of the kind of engagement ring and wedding ring they’d like. One type of engagement ring expected to be in fashion this year and for many years to come are the trendy oval engagement rings.
2. Know Your Partner
Besides knowing what kind of engagement rings your partner would want, you also need to know what kind of proposal your partner would appreciate. Would your partner appreciate a laid-back and low-key proposal where it’s just the two of you over dinner or during a walk on the beach? Would they want their entire posse of friends and family cheering them on to take photos, videos and share in the magical moment? Keep their personality and preferences in mind as you decide how you want to propose to them.
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3. Hire a Proposal Photographer
You and your future fiancé are going to be too busy in the actual moment to capture the beautiful proposal. If you don’t want to rely on blurry photos from your soon-to-be mother-in-law, hire a proposal photographer to take professional photos of the movement. Unlike your partner’s chatty BFF, who likes to post everything on social media, they won’t accidentally spoil the surprise you’re proposing.
4. Expect the Unexpected
No matter how much you plan ahead of time, just like everything that will happen after you two tie the knot, expect the unexpected. You’ll plan to meet them at the park after work, but you get pulled into a last-minute client emergency meeting or get stuck in traffic. You plan to propose on a beautiful sunny day at the beach and then it starts to rain. You’ve decided to involve your future groomsmen and bridesmaids with the epic proposal and then, all of a sudden, they bail. Don’t let these hurdles stop you from proposing. Sometimes you’re just going to have to roll with it and make the best out of whatever comes. Just know that you’re doing your best and that your partner will appreciate how much time, effort and genuine heart you put into making the perfect engagement for them.
5. Prepare a Speech
You have the ring. You’ve figured out when and where you’d like to propose. You’ve even decided who you want to be involved with the proposal outside of you and your significant other. Imagine you’re down on one knee, and you’re about to ask your partner, “Will you marry me?” It may not feel like enough. You may want to say more than just one line. You can prepare a speech. You can write it down and keep that paper in your pocket. You can write notes on your phone. You can write some keywords on your hand and hope your sweaty palms won’t make the ink fade.
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6. Or Don’t and Just Speak From Your Heart
Or you don’t have to write a speech at all. Don’t be afraid to just speak honestly from your heart. Tell it from your heart. Tell them they’re the only one. Break out into song, or hire a professional musician if that’s just not your forte. The most important thing is that you speak honestly, openly and make sure that speech is a personal one from you and by you. Don’t copy and paste someone else’s proposal speech that you saw online. You can look at other people’s speeches for inspiration, but make it unique to you and your partner.
With all of these six tips in mind, you’re sure to plan the perfect engagement. The most important thing for you to do is come up with a plan, stick to it and let the good times roll. After all, this is your life now with your future fiancé, so live it up!
