Congratulations – you’re in love! In fact, the idea of proposing to your partner has recently entered your head, and now you can’t shake it. When such an idea arises and you begin to think about it quite seriously, you’re going to be hit with waves of emotions. It can be difficult to get your thinking straight – which is precisely what you need to do before you actually pop the question!
I CHECKED YES
Are you ready?
Yes, it’s worth remembering that there can be a long time between the proposal and the marriage itself. Some people even wait years. But the thing about love is that it often makes us do stupid things – and while you may not want to think about an engagement as being in such a category, it’s undeniable that there are scenarios in which getting engaged may not work out best for everyone. You need to think carefully not just about the health of your relationship, but why you want to propose. If you’re just proposing because of pressure relating to society or your age, then think twice. This shouldn’t be something you feel obligated to do. Proposing isn’t something you do to prove your love to your partner! Make sure you’re comfortable with your reasons.
This is up to the couple, but Kendall and I both wanted my parents’ blessing before he popped the question. To some, that is an antiquated tradition but I’m very close with my parents. I’m pretty sure I asked him if they knew before I said yes. Make sure you respect your partner’s wishes as far at that goes.
The ring
There is a lot of advice out there relating to rings. Some will say you should spend as much as possible; others will make the argument that beautiful rings can be found for three-figure sums. Well, while the latter is true, you shouldn’t feel bad for wanting to spend a lot more, either. Remember, you’re both going to wear the rings for a very long time (we hope!), so make sure you’re happy and confident in what you’re getting, regardless of the price. Whether the wedding rings you’re going for are designer or simple but gorgeous black opals, ensure that you’re getting something that you and your partner are both going to love. Kendall knew I wanted rose gold + morganite, but he picked the setting on his own and my ring means the world to me!
What to say
Don’t lift a proposal that you’ve seen in some Hollywood romance and change some of the words around. Don’t find proposal examples on the Internet and change the name so it applies to your partner. There’s a lot of pressure here, and many would argue that a proposal is a brief performance of sorts. But whether your partner will say yes or no probably won’t hinge that much on what you say here! Your best bet is to speak sincerely. Keep it simple. Spend some time thinking about the time you’ve spent together, what they mean to you, how you met, and how you decided that proposing to them was what you had to do. Tell them why you want to spend the rest of you life with them. I barely remember what Kendall said because I was about black-out excited, but something about me putting up with his… ahem… nonsense, and always supporting him. You can go check it out for yourself on the blog post I linked above
The right place and time
This is often the most nerve wracking decision to make, oddly enough. Take into account the one you’re asking. I had literally told Kendall I wanted to be proposed to on Stage with We The Kings (not expecting it, mind you) but someone else might want something intimate/ private. You might want to pick a place that means something special to you- a first kiss or a first vacation spot. One of the sweetest proposals I have seen (besides my own) was actually a bar crawl to benefit breast cancer research when the bride had lost her mother that way. It was so special to her to have her mom “involved” and very that couple.
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