1. Where will I propose?
Where you propose is one of the most important parts of the proposal. Most people make the mistake of believing it is the most important part (that will be answered later). Whether you fly your partner by private jet to the Eiffel Tower, or propose in the back garden, the most important thing is the relevance of that place to both of you. Maybe it’s the place you first met, or where you had your first date, or a destination you shared your happiest times. A unique way for you is to recreate your first date. Now you can start planning.
2. How will I propose?
There are many different ways to propose. Will you get down on one knee? Will you have a plane fly by with the words ‘will you marry me?’ If you have a baby, will you have the baby wearing an outfit that says ‘will you marry my daddy?’ on it? Will you write it in the sand on the beach? I have a friend who moved in with his girlfriend, and while they were decorating, he painted ‘Will you marry me?’ on the wall. So get creative, and make the moment special.
3. What will I say?
This may sound easy, ‘will you marry me?’ will likely be the last line of your proposal, but what will you say before that, if anything at all? Sometimes less is more, so don’t fall into the trap of preparing a ten minute speech, as you’ll likely give the surprise of the proposal away!
4. Write it down
The next step is to write down word for word what you’re going to say. Obviously I’m not expecting you to propose with a script in front of you, but writing things down helps you get it right for when the time comes. You can edit it with what you like and don’t like.
5. Practice
Practice makes perfect, and I know you want your proposal to be perfect! So stand in front of a mirror and practice what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it. Remember, some experts believe non-verbal communication makes up as much as 93% of communication, so practice until you get it just right!
6. Dress to impress
While discussing wedding plans with couples before the big day, I always ask about the proposal as I find it tells me a lot about the couple. And it may surprise you to learn, that what the proposer was wearing is always mentioned when describing the proposal. So make the effort to look your best, a visit to the hair salon, some new clothes and shoes will go a long way to setting the mood for something special.
7. Breathe
So it’s the big day and you are so nervous you can’t even eat. You start to panic a little, which is natural, you’re about to ask they biggest question anyone ever asks. A great tip is to breathe deeply, into the very bottom of your stomach and maintain a steady breathing pattern. Before you start your proposal, take a deep breath, speak slowly and keep calm.
Now you’re ready to start planning the big moment. Don’t forget to enjoy it also, you will feel happier than you’ve ever felt before, so rather than fear asking, you should be excited about the prospect. Good luck and enjoy!
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