Do you want to propose to your girlfriend?

They say that when you know, you just know. And only people that are married or people that have proposed or that are getting ready to propose to their partner know exactly what that feeling is.

If you want to propose to your girlfriend, that is fantastic. But just because you feel that you want to doesn’t mean you should just blurt it out.

Your girlfriend will have an expectation for the marriage proposal experience. The challenge for you is to work out what her expectation might be. Then you must aim to either meet it or surpass it.

Her expectation might be low, in that she might want you to propose to her without a ring in the comfort of your own home.

On the other hand, she might be expecting a surprise in an exotic location with the perfect diamond engagement ring.

Whatever her expectations may be, this is what you need to work out before popping the question.

So what steps can you take to prepare yourself for your marriage proposal?

Firstly, you need to know that this is what both you and your partner want. If it is something that she doesn’t want, then you will be setting yourself up for rejection. If it is something that you know that she wants, but you aren’t completely convinced about getting married, then it isn’t a decision that you should force yourself into.

Secondly, you need to get insight into how your partner wants to be proposed to. So you will need to do some research by asking some of her friends, family or even checking out some of the things that she has shared on social media.

Plan a time and date that will allow you enough time to prepare for the marriage proposal that you want to give to your partner.

How can you propose to your girlfriend?

There are several ways that you can propose. You are asking if she would like to be your wife. This is the essence of the proposal and it is what she wants to hear. The rest will form the experience that she wants.

The main thing your partner will want from the proposal is the element of surprise and wonder. It needs to provide her with the experience that she will cherish, as it will be one of the most important memories that she will hold onto for the rest of her life.

The main things you need to get right in your proposal include:

Timing

It’s important to get the timing right. Leave it too long and she might get frustrated as to why you didn’t propose sooner. Propose too quickly and she might feel like she isn’t ready.

Location

You need to understand the type of person that your partner is. What’s the type of locations that she likes? Is she into nature and landscapes? Is she interested in iconic landmarks? Does she like simple settings? Work out the type of locations that she loves and incorporate it into your marriage proposal.

Ring

It is important to choose the ring that suits her personality and that she will fall in love with.

Element of surprise

Your proposal needs to have a ‘sense of revelation’. So you need to work out how you can catch her ‘off guard’ so she won’t expect a marriage proposal at that time.

You might have to use a ‘distraction technique’, where you setup one event such as a date or a party and actually surprise her with a marriage proposal.

How long should you wait before getting engaged?

There’s no time limit. Some people know that they are a fit straightaway. Others need time to ensure that they don’t feel like they are rushing into a decision.

Most couples will date for a couple of years to see how they fit together as a couple. However, it isn’t uncommon for people to feel like they are rushing in their relationship, which is why they want to take their time when it comes to marriage.

It’s understandable, since you plan to marry once and you want to make the right decision.

However, there are many couples that know within the first few months (sometimes weeks or even days) that they have met the person that they want to be with for the rest of their lives.

There’s a “sixth sense” that tells you that this person is the one. So when you have that feeling, that is when you know it is the right time to propose.

If you feel that she is the one and all of your senses are pushing you to propose, then go ahead and do it. But keep in mind all of the advice that we have shared above.

Now it is your time to shine.

If you have proposed to your partner, why don’t you share your story in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.