Tips For Proposing Properly

I am not really a romantic, but I want to propose to my girlfriend and really sweep her off her feet and make her feel like a princess. Can you help?

Dear Romantically-Challenged:

Congratulations on finding a woman you love and respect enough to want to spend the rest of your life with her! First things first, relax. While romantic comedies and bridal magazines all like to push the red-roses, perfect speech-at-the-perfect-moment, here in reality, most proposals are nervously delicious moments where the man usually pops the question before or after he planned to and the woman isn’t sure what in the hell is going on.

In the end, know this; regardless of what you do and how you do it, your gal will be head-over-heels happy because the man she loved has asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. That man is you.

That said, if you’re looking for some ideas and inspiration, you have come to the right place. Here are a few tips for making your proposal a moment to remember.

Make it Personal

This is the single most important part of proposing so take some time and do it right. Most women worth marrying appreciate the thought and effort a man puts into something more than she does being on the receiving end of a quick credit-card swipe.

Think of locations, hobbies, rituals, movies and books that are special to you. If you’re both into football, think about getting her a jersey that says “will you marry me on it,” if you met in a bookstore or love books, consider making a book on Blurb or if you both love a specific type of cuisine, sign up for a private cooking lesson at a local culinary school where you cook together and propose over a meal you make together.

Be Yourself

While you might think your gal wants you to act like Enrique Iglesias a la “Hero”, the truth is, watching her normally-reserved guy act like Don Juan will be more humorous than romantic. Besides, do you really want to make the painful faces only he can pull off? I think not. She fell in love with you-as you are-which means you need not be someone else on this special day.

Some places to propose

• In a community garden

• In a museum

• On a picnic

• Ask “will you marry me” on a note and place it in her favorite book or CD.

• In a cinema (you can have them ask on the screen)

• At a special event

• On a boat

• While skiing

• While revisiting your first-date or first kiss spot (I know one bloke who proposed in front of the 6 subway stop in NYC because that’s the first place they kissed)

• On a plane (if taking a trip, talk to the airline staff beforehand and ask them to deliver the ring with a glass of champagne. Who knows, they might even upgrade you!)

• After an evening at the Ballet, symphony or a concert

• At her favorite hangout

• Surrounded by the Royal Jewels on a tour or a Gemstone exhibit

• On Holiday (book a room in a sexy boutique hotel or a Bed and Breakfast and have roses, chocolates, champagne and a card waiting. Get down on one knee and ask away-then enjoy your weekend!

Where NOT to propose

Surrounded by family, friends or a huge group of strangers. It’s an intimate moment and she’ll likely not want to be on display.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

Brenda Della Casa

Author, Cinderella Was a Liar

www.cinderellawasaliar.com

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• Too Much Prep?
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• She Said Yes (Part 2)
• She Said Yes! (Part 1)