How to plan an engagement proposal

Image of a woman and man sat at a table in a restaurant. The woman is holding out her hand and the man appears to kiss her hand. A sign with lights can be seen on the table with the words say yes and it appears it´s and engagement proposal. — Photo: Gift Habeshaw

Preparing for your engagement proposal

How to plan an engagement proposal and when is the best time? is one of the most frequent questions couples ask. A Valentine´s day proposal is one of the most popular times when planning an engagement proposal. However, Christmas Eve, New Year´s Eve and New Year´s day are close behind. That´s because family and friends are usually together for celebrations at these times and are an important aspect of the proposal.

Have a conversation about your future together before your engagement proposal

When making your proposal plans, before you pop the question, be sure to factor in a conversation about your future together if you haven´t already done so. This way you´ll know that you´re both on the same page about the idea. Agree when to get engaged and get married, as this gives and indication of how long your engagement might be. In addition it helps you to calculate how much you might need to invest.

Choose the type of engagement proposal

Pick a location that has sentimental meaning for you both when organising you´re engagement proposal. It could be the restaurant where you first met, that holds special memories. Or a place that simply has great food that you both love, or where you had the best holiday. It really depends on your love of shared experiences and goals. If proposing in another city or country fits in with your lust for travel then this could be the best option for you. However, if it´s important to have family and friends present, a restaurant option might just be the perfect setting. Popping the question in this environment with family and friends could provide a more relaxed ambience too. If these ideas don´t reflect your personalities or have significant meaning, choose another idea and a time when you both can relax and enjoy the moment without distractions.

Reserve in advance for your engagement proposal

Book in advance to avoid having your amazing plans spoilt if your restaurant is fully booked. This applies to accommodation bookings too, especially if you´re planning to stay in a hotel or other accommodation as part of your post engagement proposal celebrations. With the reservations taken care of you can focus on the other elements that will complete your engagement proposal.

Why it´s important to plan ahead for your engagement proposal

Plan your engagement proposal beforehand to ensure you have time to make that important choice of choosing the engagement ring. If you´re more of a spontaneous person or you´d prefer to pick the ring together, choose another ring reflecting your personalities. Remember to explain you want your partner to have the perfect ring and would like to do this together. You can schedule your appointment in now for choosing the dream ring, so that your partner knows your serious.

Capture the moment

Book a photographer or ask friends to capture the proposal, especially if you´ve opted for a setting where family and friends are participating. Having these memories preserved adds an extra layer of sentiment to the occasion.

Final steps and delivery of your engagement proposal

With your engagement plans sorted, restaurant booked, friends and family invited, its time for you to pull it all together. If you´re going for the ring in advance, research, select and have the ring adjusted to size. It´s now time to put the ring somewhere safe and prepare you´re delivery.

Engagement proposals are personal and don´t have to reflect anyone else´s but yours. Try to be yourself and find a way that you feel your partner will love and cherish the most.
Marcia Bravo Celebrant UK and Spain

Spend time thinking about how your going to propose and when. Having a rough idea of what you want to say can help calm nerves. If your plan depends on your partner being available at a specific time, consider ways of achieving this. Don´t worry though, if your finding it difficult, enlist the help of your partners inner circle to help you. With all the best kept secrets, it´s a good idea to have a back up plan in case your first does not go as planned. If it doesn´t totally go as planned, go with the flow, it might turn out to be even more spectacular because it´s right for the moment.

To sum up

There are popular dates for planning an engagement proposal, however what´s important is when is the best time for you. Engagements often have the most significance on a special date in your story or a location with lots of beautiful memories that reflect your journey thus far together. Factor in a conversation about how you see your future together, so you´ll know your own the right page. If family and friends are important to your partner, consider including them in your proposal. Whatever idea you decide remember to speak from your heart. Now take a deep breath and go for it. I´m keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Are you planning a celebrant wedding in Spain, Lisbon or the UK in 2025 or 2026, I´d love to hear your story?

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Hope to see you soon.

M xxx

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