Bride Guide #14 is all about How to Propose from Logan Utah Proposal Photographer Lauren Kay Photography. Guys, I’ve got you.

 

You’ve probably been dreaming and dreading about this moment for decades. Can I sense your palms sweating? This is possibly the most terrifying things you’ve ever done. Right? Not only do you have to ask the girl of your dreams to marry you, but you have to make it special and romantic too. Talk about pressure! 

 

I want you to take a deep breath. You have totally got this. And I’m here to help walk you through every step. I want you to get a piece of paper out and get ready to start brainstorming. Here are 6 simple step-by-step tips. Here we go.

 

 

1. Communicate. 

1. • First and foremost, make sure you are on the same page about even getting married. Is she okay with you asking? Unless you’re willing to risk her saying “no”, talk about this beforehand. If she’s on board, then ask her dad and/or parents.
   • Second, what are her expectations? Before you start planning, ask your girl some questions and find out what her expectations are:

1. 1. 1. 1. What is your dream proposal?
         2. Do you want to be alone, with a crowd, or a close-knit group?
         3. Do you want me to make sure you are dressed nice, have your hair and makeup done, and have your nails painted?
         4. Do you want pictures of the moment? Professional?
         5. Surprise or no?
         6. Actual ring or a temporary one so it’s a total surprise?
         7. Certain location or time of day?
         8. Any details you’re hoping for? Lights, flowers, etc.?
         9. Do you want to pick your ring out or have me choose?

 

2. Give it a lot of thought.

1. • Now that you know where she stands, really think about what will be meaningful to her and a memory you can both cherish forever. Go all in! That doesn’t mean it needs to be expensive or crazy, but put your heart and soul into it. Whether it’s just intimately the two of you or you’re surrounded by family and friends, do your best to make it amazing and meaningful.
   • Don’t be afraid of being cliché. Proposing on Valentine’s Day is A-Okay! Don’t worry about making it different; focus on making it meaningful. 
   • Get sentimental. Guys, this is the time. Notes about why you love her, lights, flowers, down on one knee – all the little extras go a long way.
   • Do your research. Look up ideas, ask other people. Guys can use Pinterest too. 😉 Spend a little bit of time researching, but not too much. Set a timer and stop when time’s up. 
   • Incorporate details specific to your relationship that are meaningful. Here are some questions to get you thinking:

• • • Where: Where did you meet? Hold hands? First kiss? I love you? Also consider, do you want it to be a location that will always be there for you to revisit?
    • Why: Why her? Why did you fall in love with her? Why are you excited to be with her?
    • What: What do you love about her? What do you love to do together? What things are meaningful to you two? If you asked a friend, how would they describe you two together? What are some fun traditions, sayings, inside jokes, etc. that you two share? What first drew you to her?
    • When: Are there any special dates, anniversaries, holidays, or birthdays coming up? When did you meet, hold hands, first kiss, I love you?
  • Enlist help. Planning a proposal can be overwhelming! Other people can help – friends, family – they may be able to give you ideas. Brainstorming with friends and family can give you extra insight and ideas, and they can be a sounding board. They can also help you pull your ideas off. A word of caution, just be careful who you tell if you want to keep it a surprise.

 

 

3. Make a game plan.

1. • Once you know how you want to propose, make a to-do list, a to-bring list, and a general timeline. Be prepared! And don’t forget to pick out what you’re going to wear too. Her favorite outfit of yours or something she got you is always a win.
   • If needed, make sure you know how you’re going to tell her where you’re going or what you’re going to go do. If you need to have a cover story then think of a good one in advance that she won’t say no to.

 

4. Get the ring.

1. • Whether you’ve already picked out the ring together or you’re choosing it for her, make sure she will love it. If you are picking it out on your own, do your research! Ask her tons of questions, take her shopping and see what she loves, stalk her Pinterest board, ask her friends. This is the ring she will wear forever so it’s important that she will love it forever.
   • You can pick it out, she can pick it out, or you can use a temporary ring (like from Walmart or an heirloom) that you use to propose and then go get the actual ring later.

 

 

5. Practice.

1. • You probably shouldn’t have a word-for-word script, but have an idea of what you want to say. Write it down and practice, and practice, and practice some more. Choosing one to three specific points you want to share will help keep you on track. Make it heartfelt. Think about the specifics of why you love her and why you want to marry her.

 

6. The big moment! 

1. 1. Give yourself a pep talk. You are going to rock this. Don’t stress. No matter how this goes, she is just excited to marry you!
   2. Roll with it.
      • Expect the unexpected. Things will probably not go as planned, but try not to let it stress you. It’s more important that you’re relaxed (as much as you can be, right?) than that every detail is just right. Be ready to laugh things off and embrace whatever happens.
   3. Make sure the ring is safe and discreet.
   4. Check the timing.
      • Make sure it’s a good time before you go for it. Do a quick check. What has her day been like? Consider what her mood might be (ex. long day at work, hot and sweaty from the gym, nice weekend day with you, etc.). Consider the things going on at work or school for both of you. Don’t push it if it’s not the right timing.
      • If she wants to be ready and dolled up then make sure that happens (you can enlist one of her friends or family to help). For her nails, you could ask her girlfriends to do manicures with her a few days before or something like that. It’s important that she looks and feels amazing. 
      • Wait for the right moment. It’s more important that the moment flows naturally than that you propose right at sunset.
   5. If the timing is right, check to make sure your photographer (if you have one) and any other details are ready and in place.
   6. TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
   7. Then say what you want to say, get down on one knee, and GO FOR IT! You get to ask the woman of your dreams to marry you! Have fun with it, talk slow, and BE CONFIDENT. You’ve totally got this. 
   8. She said yes! What now? Have an idea of what you are going to do after the big moment. This is your chance to celebrate together and soak in this moment before the planning begins. Don’t have somewhere you need to rush to right after but rather do something simple like go out for dinner, go get a treat, go on a walk. Have a few ideas of some things you can do together after.
   9. Share the big news! Let the people closest to you (parents, siblings, besties, etc.) know personally before you let everyone on social media know.
   10. Guess what? That’s it! You did it! #engagednow!

 

 

Ideas:

• Write it. On the snow, sand, a poster, the dirt. 
• Epic view. Go on a hike, ski lift, Ferris wheel, airplane ride, out on a lake, the roof of a building, or to another beautiful vista. 
• Memory lane. Write notes, print pictures, make a slideshow about your relationship.
• Throwback. Go to where you first met or held hands or kissed or said I love you.
• Classic. A nice dinner or walk, get roses, use lights, get down on one knee. You can’t go wrong with this one.
• For a crowd. Have her and your friends and family waiting in secret and propose in a public place.
• Personal. Do something the two of you love to do together or that you’re known for by your friends and family.

 

If it’s your style…

Use this as your engagement session! You could have a professional photographer take pictures of the moment and then keep taking pictures afterward to use for your announcements. These images are so full of emotion, they are amazing. 

If you opt for this, have your bride tell you which professional photographer she wants for the wedding. Then you can email them and work out the details! Also make sure your bride is wearing the outfit she wants to for your engagements or that you bring it along. You can ask a question like, “What outfits do you think would be best for our engagements?”, or have a friend ask.

P.S. Shoot me an email and we’ll chat!

 

Download this free workbook for planning the perfect proposal!

How to Propose Workbook