What's the best thing about proposing to your boyfriend? You get to choose whether it occurs. No more waiting for Mr. Slowpoke to get on. Even better, since this is relatively unknown terrain, there are no pesky laws or procedures to obey, unless you wish to ask his mother for permission!
Having said that, we sought advice from experts, including Paul Alden, president of Would You Marry Me? Proposal Planners, and Christy Anderson, who wrote Down on One Knee and proposed to her partner a year after he had proposed – unsuccessfully – to her (she wasn't ready at the moment and felt it was her turn to stick her neck out of love for his feelings). Women proposing to men, believe it or not, is not a novel idea. Many women have chosen to get down on one knee and pose the question themselves. Do you want to pop the main issue yourself? Here are our ten tips for proposing to a guy.
1. Make Certain You're Prepared
First and foremost. Take the temperature of your relationship: Is it time to make it official? If you're always experiencing a lot of uncertainty, focus first on improving your friendship. If you and your partner are the pictures of a marriage-ready pair, keep reading for our next piece of advice on how to propose to a guy.
2. Be Transparent About Your Motives
Don't propose just to see where the friendship is at. If you don't remember, be aware that what you're saying in your brain is alarm bells, not wedding bells. Never propose out of desperation for feedback; resorting to such an ultimatum on such a significant topic indicates that you aren't ready to bind the knot. Often, should not be recommended out of desperation or fear of compromising your friendship due to external factors such as education, or work relocations.
3. Consider Your Partner's Role
Have you discussed the possibility of marriage? Have you spoken about the prospect of marriage or your future together? Is he receptive to the possibility of marriage, and if so, what are his reservations? Make sure you and your man are on the same page before popping the huge issue. Getting married can be a matter of when, not whether at this stage in your relationship. You don't want to take any chances. Just propose once you're pretty confident he'll say "yes!" loudly and unequivocally.
4. Know Him
The most critical aspect of preparing a fruitful proposal is remembering that this is not your ideal proposal, but his. You should tailor the proposal to his style, much like a man should know better than to transmit his proposal through a blimp to a silent and reserved girlfriend just because he feels it will be funny.
This is especially true when proposing to men since it is uncommon for a woman to initiate the conversation (Alden estimates that only 6 percent of his clients are women). Whether he's traditional or dislikes shocks, parachuting into his softball game in a wedding suit is a terrible idea.
5. Select a Meaningful Location
When it comes to women proposing to men when in question, a private venue for a proposal can be best. If you have a favorite hiking path or vantage point for seeing the sunset?
Consider where you had your first date or a location that has particular significance in your partnership. If that's not your or your man's style, it doesn't have to be a highly publicized idea.
6. Be Aware of His Ego
Congratulations on being the first to express confidence in your future together, but bear in mind that he might be irritated that you stole his thunder, whether he was considering a proposal or not.
If this is the case, Anderson advises telling him that your idea would not preclude him from proposing again when he is ready (with a ring)!
7. Purchase a Present for Him
On that point, don't ask him to go out and buy you an engagement ring, and don't offer him a ring or some other kind of promissory jewelry, until you've already purchased one for yourself. For example, bracelets, and plain gold rings, among other things. It doesn't have to be expensive; it just has to be important.
8. Consider the Unusual
Prepare a suggestion based on the common experience. Choose a significant day, place, and style, for example, and pay close attention to specifics. Take the time to make it unique and intimate so he feels loved and understood – and let him know you're serious about this proposal!
9. Maintain Simplicity
Forget the airline banners and fireworks shows. Alden advises those who are preparing their idea to make things straightforward enough that the proposer isn't overwhelmed by too many specifics.
The aim is to savor the moment! After all, where and how you propose are vital. But in the end, you'll be all your sweetie sees when you ask if you're sitting on a beach. May be on the corner barstool of his favorite local dive.
10. Make a Strategy for Success
Consider the logistics carefully: Plan ahead of time, have backup arrangements in place in case Mother Nature or traffic tries to wreak havoc, and choose a day and time of day when he'll be happy and away from any impending deadlines at work or education.
It's also a good idea to double-check reservations (restaurants, hotels, hot-air balloons, monkey costumes) and, whether you've enlisted the assistance of friends or relatives, to ensure that they recognize their "tracks" or responsibilities in the case.
11. Be Yourself
Yes, you are a woman proposing to a guy, but really, you are simply "you" proposing to the man of your dreams. Avoid being wrapped up in gender stereotypes and perceptions, as well as other people's views about what you can and should not do. If getting down on one knee and proposing to your guy sounds right to you, then go ahead and do it.
When all is said and done, the who is much more relevant than the where, where, and how of proposing! (In this case, one very fortunate man!) Follow our advice on how to propose to a guy, and you'll be ready to walk down the aisle, thanks to you.
Leave a Reply