Proposing to your girlfriend can be a major pressure builder. And as much as we like to see newly engaged couples flocking away on their stag and hen parties, the proposal is one thing you really want to get right. For some women this is something they dream about since they’re little girls. For others it’s nothing like a Disney film and they have zero interest in being treated like a princess. Knowing your potential bride to be and what she wants makes all the difference.
Let’s be clear it’s all about the bride. Just because you want to show off your lady in front of a crowd doesn’t mean you should, she may find it totally cringe-worthy. So here’s our selection of a few tried and tested ways to propose.
* Classic romantic dinner proposalSometimes the simple proposals can be the best. There’s a reason why so many dates take place over a lovely dinner. In the right restaurant you’ll get a great meal, the wine is flowing and the dim lighting make it a great romantic setting. Perfect setup to start reminiscing about when you first met and the great times you’ve had.You can combine this with a number of options. Have the chef surprise her by incorporating the ring into the presentation of the dessert. Take her out to her favourite restaurant and request the nicest table (book well in advance to avoid disappointment). Nice and simple, what could be better?
* Base your proposal around the placeDoes she have a favourite place that she always loves visiting? It could be the top of a mountain that she loves hiking, her favourite roof top bar or restaurant or a cabin in the countryside that you guys visited when you were in the early stages of your relationship. Anywhere that feels romantic or that is very special to her.Just watch out dragging her on an exhausting hill climb and asking her when she's out of breath and sweating like a cat, with a long tail, in a room full of rocking chairs!
* Incorporating her hobbies
If there’s a hobby or pass time that she absolutely loves then think of someway you can incorporate them into your proposal. Of course if her hobby is boxing or a quiet yoga class then you bursting in and declaring your undying love might not fit too well. But if she loves horse riding then taking her for a horse ride through the countryside is an easy winner, followed by your proposal is a no brainer.
* The great outdoors
If you’re looking for somewhere romantic then parks, lakes, mountains, forests and beaches can make a great natural background to set the scene. This is perfect if she’s very outdoorsy. Try and pick a time when the place isn’t swarming with tourists and you should have a great outdoor proposal.A word of warning though, watch out in places where you could drop or lose the ring. If that ring goes over the edge of a cliff it is GONE!!!
* Spell it outGet creative and spell out your proposal in a stand out way. Chalk on the sidewalk, Carved into the ice on the car windshield or get a graffiti artist to mock up a cool design for her. It’s visual, it stands out and it can be made really personal with a little thought about location or the message. If she’s creative herself she might really appreciate it. If she’s a graphic designer, photographer or a pastry chef you can easily incorporate her passion and your love for her into one solid proposal. Or if you have a job that requires some creativity then you can put your own spin on the proposal particularly if she likes your creations.