6 Keys to an Unforgettable Proposal

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Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but the mushy Facebook posts haven’t stopped. Why? Because now “Engagement Season” is in full swing. Each time you log in it feels like another person on your news feed is either popping the question or showing off a sparkling diamond ring.

There are numerous types of proposals. There are those that go all out and make it look like it belongs in the movies, the low-key and simple proposals, and everything in between.

What really sets a proposal apart from all the rest? Does it require a lot of money? Grand public gestures? An enormous diamond ring?

Here are the 6 keys to an unforgettable proposal:

1. Set the Scene

Take the time to plan out the whole process. Select a location that either has beautiful scenery, or is a spot that is special to both of you, such as the place you first met. Next, prepare the location and make it romantic. This can include flowers, lighting, candles, soft background music, a framed photo of the two of you, among other ideas. It’s about creating an ambiance that fits the location you selected and which fits what your significant other loves. If the two of you are outdoorsy people, don’t propose in a restaurant, instead select the peak at the end of a leisurely hike.

For a more heartfelt touch, consider doing everything yourself and create beautiful and unique decor to help you set a memorable scene.

2. Keep it Personal

Many people make the mistake of thinking their significant other wants an elaborate public gesture, when in fact they would much prefer a quiet romantic setting. We’ve all seen those humiliating fail videos on Youtube where the poor guy proposes at a basketball game in the middle of the court, and the girl runs away crying…brutal. Don’t make that mistake. Make the proposal about the two of you, and the special relationship you’ve built together rather than having it happen in front of a crowd of eager onlookers. A worthy exception would be getting friends and family to be involved, because then they’re able to share in the special moment with you both and celebrate afterwards.

3. Make it Sentimental

Honestly, this is the biggest key of them all. For a proposal to be truly unforgettable, it needs to be heartfelt. Make the whole event sentimental. From your choice of location, the ring, what you say, everything should be special. This doesn’t have to involve anything expensive, it just needs to be connected to your significant other and your relationship together. This helps create a story that you both get to tell your family and friends, and also lets you both look back fondly on how much the proposal meant – starting a new chapter in your lives together.

4. Hire a Photographer

After going to all this effort to plan out a special proposal, it needs to be captured with photos so that you can always look back and remember it fondly. Hiring a photographer doesn’t have to be expensive, it can even be a friend or family member. However, it’s best to find someone with some experience capturing important moments. When the time of the proposal comes, have your photographer stay hidden out of sight, so it doesn’t ruin the surprise. Better yet, have them get to your location before you and pick a photographer that your significant other has never met before. This way, they can blend in with random passerbys and won’t draw attention to themselves.

5. Choose Your Timing Wisely

This depends on a variety of factors, including the location you select and the ambiance you are looking to create. Outdoor locations often photograph better in the mornings, and this allows you both to spend the rest of the day enjoying the start of your brand new chapter as an engaged couple. On the other hand, if romantic lighting and candles are part of your plan, you’ll want to select an evening time frame.

6. Make it a Surprise

This one is tricky. You want your significant other to be surprised when the proposal happens, but ideally you don’t want them to be surprised that you want to get married. It’s best to keep an open line of communication about how invested you both are in the relationship, whether marriage is the right eventual step, and what time frame you both are expecting it to happen. In this way, you ensure you’ll receive that coveted “Yes,” but can still surprise your significant other with the exact timing of when the proposal will occur.

Final Thoughts

Overall, a proposal should be a joyous occasion. It signifies the beginning of the next chapter of your relationship and the rest of your life together. By sticking to these key points, you’ll make your proposal even more unforgettable. You’ll have a beautiful moment between the two of you, that you can remember fondly for the rest of your lives.

See the original post on DealsPlus: 6 Keys to an Unforgettable Proposal

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