Proposing to a significant other is one of the most nerve-racking experiences of a man’s life. Little girls dream about the day their boyfriends will propose and when it finally happens, it’s an experience a woman will remember and reference her entire life. 

While it may seem like a daunting task, with a little planning, you can ensure the proposal goes off without a hitch. 

Keep these tips in mind as you plan the perfect proposal. 

The ring 
Don’t have a ring? Don’t propose. Wait until you have the ring in your hand before you ask her to marry you. No woman wants to have to wait for the symbol of the engagement or have to explain why she’s not wearing the ring. 

Loaner rings or substitute rings are not a good idea, either. A woman wants the ring on her finger not on the way. 

Is it too soon to propose? 
How long has it been since you started dating your future fiancé? If it hasn’t even been six months, you may be asking too soon. 

While many people are smitten at the begging of a relationship and everything seems to be going smoothly, it doesn’t always mean two people are meant to be married or that their bond will stand the test of time. 

Have you talked about marriage? If not, it’s a good idea to bring up the topic and have a conversation before you plan on proposing. It’s good to make sure you’re both on the same page before you ask her to marry you. 

Get her parents’ blessing 
Be old fashioned. Asking her father, close family friend, mother –whoever is an important figure in her life- is essential. It’s refreshing when a man asks his girlfriend’s father for her hand in marriage. While it may seem old fashioned, some traditions never go out of style, and you’ll get major brownie points from her and her family for asking. 

How should I ask? 
A proposal is one of the most exciting moments of a couples’ time together, so why not make it memorable? 

No matter how you ask her, make sure you show her how much you love her. Taking her to the place with meaning –the spot you first met, the beach or on a romantic vacation- makes it easy to set the scene for a picture-perfect proposal. 

Looking for a unique way to ask her? Take her on a hot air balloon ride, parasailing, on a dinner cruise or for a day trip in the city. Proposing at a memorable spot will impress her. 

Don’t propose at a sporting event unless she is a die-hard fan. Most women want their boyfriends to find more romantic ways to propose than kneeling in the bleachers at a football game. If your girlfriend isn’t the type of girl who wears football jerseys every Sunday and watches every game, chances are she won’t love being proposed to at a sporting event. 

Most women prefer romantic proposals over extravagant ones. Keep it personal and true to what you know about her and your relationship. If she’s shy, don’t ask her in from of a room full of people. Instead, make it intimate and ask her in the privacy of your home, on a quiet beach or on a walk together. 

Be traditional 
Regardless of how you choose to ask, tell her how much you love her, explain why you’re great together and most importantly, ask the question. “Will you marry me’?” is exactly the question women want to hear. 

And get on one knee! It’s traditional and romantic and she will always remember it. 

Unique Proposals 
A proposal is one of the most memorable experiences of a woman’s life. Every girl dreams of the moment her boyfriend will ask her to marry him almost as much as her wedding day. While all proposals are beautiful, some men opt to propose in unique ways. 

By Laurel Finnegan