Are you planning a proposal? December to February is a very popular time for proposals with Christmas, New Year & Valentine’s Day as the peak dates. If you’re proposal planning, here are my five top tips for planning a perfect proposal.

1 Choose your proposal spot

Do you want to propose in a quiet private spot – at home, in a hotel room with a view across the city or in a quiet spot in a park? Or do you want your proposal to take place at a landmark spot – on the Millennium Bridge, at the top of the Shard or in the middle of Oxford Street under the Christmas lights? Or perhaps you’d opt for something in between – in a private capsule on the London Eye, somewhere in the city centre at dawn or in a ruined church? Maybe you choose somewhere that means a lot to you – your favourite cafe, the location of your first date or somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit. 

2 Choose an engagement ring

You might want to choose the ring ready for the proposal, perhaps getting something designed specially – if your partner wears rings you can use this to get the size right (but make sure to use a ring they wear on their ring finger). Alternatively, you might want to propose with a placeholder ring so you can go ring shopping (or ring designing) together. And of course a ring isn’t required – maybe you’ll choose to propose just with words, or perhaps something else makes more sense for you – like an engagement watch, necklace or bracelet. 

3 Make it personal & meaningful

Think about the things that your partner loves the most and see if there is a way to include them:

• Music lover? Maybe arrange for their favourite song to be playing or for a musician to be there to add to the atmosphere.
• Big foodie? Plan a meal at their favourite restaurant or prepare something special at home.
• Crazy about their pet dog, cat or horse? Think about how to include them – perhaps with a “will you marry me” bandana or even (safely) attaching a ring box to their collar!
• Wanderluster? Consider a romantic weekend away for two for a travel lover’s proposal
• Book lover? Think about including a quote from their favourite book – you might say it, write it in a card or even have it engraved on their ring box.

4 Proposal planning & preparation

The 4 Ws to consider when proposal planning: when, who, what to wear & weather!

• Think about the time of day you’ll choose – consider sunrise and sunset times as well as how busy your location might be and whether you want to go on to dinner, a concert or show afterwards.
• Plan who will be there – just the two of you, your children, or friends and family there to celebrate with you. If you’d like some help with proposal planning there are planners like The Proposers who can help you create the perfect setting. Or enlist a friend to help – whether that’s lighting candles, scattering rose petals or arranging for your partner to meet up, so you can turn up instead as a surprise.
• Decide what you’ll tell your partner so they can be dressed appropriately for whatever you have planned (smart enough for your restaurant dress code or warm enough for a romantic outdoor ice rink)!
• And if you’re planning an outdoor proposal make sure to have a wet weather plan – whether it’s a big umbrella (although you may still get wet leg if you’re planning to go down on one knee!), a covered archway or an indoor alternative. 

5 Consider a photographer

Engagement photos are a lovely way to share the news with friends & family. You might want to have a photographer there to capture your proposal, either hidden away if you’re proposing in a public space and you want to keep it a surprise, or you might plan a romantic couples’ photoshoot (ensuring your partner is happy with their look and photo-ready!) and propose during the shoot. Alternatively, while proposal planning you can arrange an engagement photography shoot to take place in the hours, days or even months after the proposal – so you can create gorgeous photos together to use for save the dates, invitations, guest books or just to display in your home. 

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For more engagement inspiration you can browse my engagement blogs. Here are my tips for the perfect engagement shoot location & I’ve shared a mistletoe filled engagement shoot & also a London Christmas engagement shoot on the blog if you’re planning a festive proposal. I’m always happy to talk through options for proposal photos or engagement photoshoots so please send me a message.