Proposing and all the things you need to know

Most men have a general idea of how to propose: buy a ring, get down on one knee and ask her to marry you. But in the days of over-the-top weddings and high expectations, those three steps aren’t always enough to knock her socks off.

There are tricks to improve even the basics. First, keep things to yourself. The truth is, the more people you talk to about the proposal, the more likely it is that something will slip — even from people who wouldn't normally cross paths with your future fiance.

Most of all, remember that, while the wedding day is all about the bride, the proposal is the groom’s time to shine.



Here are some tips on how to make your engagement unforgettable:

* Make it personal

Start by making a simple list of the major events in your relationship: the location of your first date, the first time you said “I love you,” the address of your first shared apartment. Look for a common thread or something you can use to tie all of these things together in a creative way.

* Incorporate what she likes

Brainstorm to find out things she loves, the things that make her happy or that she’s always wanted to do. Has she always dreamed of traveling to Paris or of being a princess? Maybe she watches Pitch Perfect and yearns to try voice lessons? Tune into these fantasies and make them come to life as part of your proposal.

* Pay attention to the details

Once you have the big picture of your proposal in place, then start to fill in the blanks with details. Whether it’s using photos of you two or incorporating moments from your first date or first kiss, the details are what makes a generic proposal an amazingly personalized proposal.



The main takeaway of all these is that you should make your engagement something that reflects you as a couple and your unique relationship. Before you pop the question, think outside the ring box and plan an engagement that you’ll be proud to share for years to come.