Ideas for the Perfect Wedding Proposal

When you finally decide it’s time to pop the question, a million questions will start rushing through your head. How should I propose? How should I ask my girlfriend’s dad to marry her? How should we announce it?

The first thing you need to do is take a deep breath. We know it’s a stressful process, so we’ve created a guide to help you get through it.

Things to Consider Before You Propose

Whether you’re putting together an elaborate production or planning a romantic night in, there’s a lot you need to consider when planning your proposal. Here are a few ideas to help you prepare to propose:

Make Sure You’re on the Same Page

Proposing marriage is a big step. Before you even thinking about how to propose, be sure they’ll say yes when you do. Some couples talk about getting married long before anyone proposes — others don’t. If you’ve never talked with your partner about marriage, hypothetically or seriously, that can be a good place to start.

Casually bring up the topic on a date or when you’re home together. You want to take the temperature, to see if your partner is even thinking about marriage. If they react excitedly, then you have a pretty clear sign that they’d be thrilled if you proposed. If they seem lukewarm or neutral, it might not be the right time.

Public vs. Private

After some time together, you hopefully know a few things about your partner’s likes and dislikes. Their preferences and personality should give you a good idea of what proposal they’d prefer. If your partner is outgoing and larger-than-life, an elaborate public proposal could be an unforgettable experience for everyone.

But, if your partner is quiet and introverted, a public proposal might be overwhelming and stressful. Make sure you take into account your partner’s personality and wishes when you’re thinking about how to pop the question.

Location

Where’s the most romantic place to get down on one knee? Anywhere is romantic when you’re at a location that’s sentimental to you and your partner. When deciding on the perfect place for your proposal, think about all the places that bring up fond memories of your relationship.

Maybe it’s the restaurant you went to on your first date, the place you first said, “I love you” or the first home you lived in together.

Photographer

You should also think about if you want a photographer or videographer there to capture the moment. Having photos or videos of this special moment in your relationship is important to many couples. However, if you’re planning on having a private proposal, it might be difficult to sneak a photographer in without your partner getting suspicious.

Tip: If you’re on a budget, just get a camera-savvy friend to film or take pictures.

How to Write a Good Wedding Proposal

Deciding what to say before the “will you marry me?” part of the proposal can be challenging. If making speeches isn’t your forte, consider a private proposal to eliminate the stress of onlookers. When writing, ask yourself:

What was the first thing you noticed about your partner?
When did you know you were in love?
How do you imagine your life together in the future?
How has your relationship made your life better?

You don’t have to write an essay — just make a few notes on what you want to say and speak from the heart.

How Should I Propose?

If you’re wondering how to make a proposal memorable, consider your relationship thus far. Do you prefer staying in to going out? What interests do you have in common? What are some of the other memorable moments during your relationship? Let what you know about your partner and your relationship guide your proposal planning. You’re asking them to marry you because you know them more than anyone in the world — use that to your advantage.

There’s no one right way to propose. But, here are a few guidelines to get you started:

Set the mood: No matter what you do, be sure to make it romantic and sentimental. The mood will set the tone for the rest of the evening and help make it memorable. Always keep the mood in mind while planning. It’s a subtle detail, but an important one. And remember, low lighting is your greatest asset.
Do it early in the night: If you’re planning on proposing during a romantic night out, plan on asking the question near the beginning. If you ask at the start of the night, you can enjoy the rest of the date together and can even start making plans for your upcoming wedding.
Don’t worry about making it perfect: If you love each other, the proposal will be perfect no matter what.

What to Do After the Proposal

Even after you’ve planned out the ideal proposal and they’ve said “yes,” there are still a few things you need to do:

Make the announcement: Thanks to social media, engagement announcements have become big productions. You can choose to tell everyone you know or just a select few. But, whatever you choose, make sure you’ve discussed who you’re going to tell before you make the big announcement.
Take photos: Engagement photos are a popular trend among newly engaged couples. You can send them to friends and family along with the engagement announcement, or post them on social media. They are also good practice for your wedding photos, especially if you don’t have any experience of being photographed.

While these can be fun and exciting things to do, you can also choose to skip them altogether. It’s your proposal and wedding, so you should celebrate it your way.

Book Your Wedding at Glidden House Today

There’s a lot to consider when proposing. It’s scary, exciting and joyful, all at the same time. You’ll tell the story of how you proposed for the rest of your life, so make sure it’s a good one.

Then, when you’re ready to start planning for your special day, be sure to book the Glidden House for your venue.

The Glidden House is a historic boutique hotel in Cleveland, Ohio, that once stood as a stunning mansion. The French Gothic design offers the perfect atmosphere for a romantic and elegant wedding. From our luxury guest suites to our 2,600-square-foot Juniper Room, you’ll find everything you need for your big day.

Book the Glidden House for your wedding today!

Ideas for the Perfect Wedding Proposal