How To Propose – Planning The Perfect Proposal

If you’ve made the wonderful decision to propose to your partner, congratulations! A lifetime of joy awaits. First, though, comes the proposal. It can be a little daunting to think about, but don’t worry; if it comes from your heart, it’ll be perfect.

If you’re still looking for some help in planning your proposal, we’re here to support you. We answer some of the most common questions people have around proposals.

How do you propose?

Proposals come in all shapes and sizes, but if you’re looking for some guidance on structure, keep reading.

Where should you propose?

Before you plan anything else, deciding where you’re going to propose is the first step. Some people choose somewhere public, others like glamour, and many prefer a private, sentimental space.

Consider where your partner would most love to be proposed to above all else. What is their style? What are their tastes? Would they like to be surrounded by family, seated at an upscale restaurant, or walking along the beach at sunset? This part of the plan is going to be down to what you know about your partner.

If you live in Norfolk and your partner would prefer a beautiful, private proposal, take a look at our blog post covering the best places to propose in Norfolk for inspiration. 

What knee do you propose on?

If you’d like to keep to tradition, kneel on your left knee so your right faces up. Use your left hand to hold the ring box, and open it with your right. 

It’s thought that this tradition comes from mediaeval knights, who knelt on their left knee to be knighted. Kneeling has been seen as a sign of respect for centuries, which is what makes it such a special part of the proposal.

Of course, it doesn’t matter which knee you kneel on in the grand scheme of things, and chances are your partner will be too excited to notice. Try not to focus too much on kneeling correctly, or you may end up flustering yourself.

How long should a marriage proposal be?

The length of your proposal should be based on preference, with a bit of social awareness considered. You may have a lot to say while down on one knee, but try not to let it run past four or five minutes. It may not seem like much, but once you’ve been staring down at your partner talking for over three minutes, you can start to get impatient. This is especially prevalent during a proposal when all your partner will want to do is say the big ‘yes!’. 

Aim for a heartfelt minute or two of declarations, then pop the big question.

What to say when proposing

This is the part that needs to come solely from you. Why do you want to spend the rest of your life with your partner? A proposal is your opportunity to tell them your reasons for loving them. Keep in mind that you should try to keep your proposal speech to a maximum of two minutes and choose your words wisely. 

Tell your partner what will matter most to them. Try declarations of love and promises you plan to honour for the rest of your life. Tell them your favourite things about them and you both as a couple. The possibilities here are endless, and there are many routes you can take, from total romance to light-hearted teasing, depending on your relationship.

Can a woman propose marriage to a man?

Absolutely! There are no rules that state the man needs to be the one proposing marriage. Everyone is different, and relationships vary from couple to couple, so what some might call a traditional proposal won’t work for everyone. 

If you’re a woman and would like to propose to your boyfriend, we fully support that. Pop down to our London Street store and ask one of our friendly team to show you our range of stunning rings for him.

How much should you spend on an engagement ring?

Did you know there is an actual answer to this question if you listen to tradition? It’s claimed that you should spend two to three months of your salary on an engagement ring. Salaries vary wildly, of course, which puts even the traditional budget down to each individual. We personally believe that you should spend what you want to pay; no more, no less.

Deciding how much to spend will go hand in hand with your chosen design. Stones, cuts, shapes, and metals will all alter the cost of the engagement ring. The best plan of action is to visit your jewellers and look at the range they have on offer. We at Aleks Jewellers have an extensive array of engagement rings to view in our shop in Norwich, with many styles to choose from, including lab-grown diamond rings.

If you’d rather design your own engagement ring, that’s possible with us. We offer an incredible bespoke jewellery service, allowing you to custom-design the perfect ring for your partner. Give us a call on 01603 623754, book an appointment via our online form, or visit us to learn more from our knowledgeable team.