So you’ve decided you want to propose to your significant other. Congratulations! You’ve met the woman (or man) of your dreams, you’ve fallen in love, and you know in your heart of hearts that they’re the perfect match for you. The hard part is done, now you just need to plan your proposal. Of course, you can’t just propose on a whim. There should be a bit of planning involved. After all, this is the story you’re going to be telling your friends, family, kids, grandkids, co-workers… heck, everyone! So, before you go in all half-cocked, prepare for your engagement but following these five steps.
Make Sure You Really Know Your S.O.
They say you never really know someone. Of course, you and your partner probably know each other better than anyone else. Still, before combining your finances, buying a house, and tying your futures together, it’s a good idea to make sure you really know your future spouse. Though it may sound ridiculous, do a quick background check on your partner. Criminal records, arrest records, and public records will all come up in a background check. You’ll even find mugshots online.
Though it’s unlikely anything will come up, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. You may find court records that you never expected to find or discover that your future partner is in massive debt. While you should always assume innocence before finding any evidence, running a background check is an easy, noninvasive way to know for certain that your partner is squeaky clean.
Find Out Their Taste in Engagement Rings
After you’ve run a quick background check, you’ll be all set to plan the engagement! Before purchasing an engagement ring you need to know that what your purchasing fits with their style. Many women have not-so-secret Pinterest boards dedicated to engagement rings and wedding planning. With that in mind, do a little reconnaissance and find out if your future fiancee has such a board.
If not, bring in some outside help. Ask their siblings or friends to come with you on a secret research trip and visit local jewelry boutiques to get an idea of what your partner may like. If all else fails, there’s really nothing wrong with directly asking your partner if they have any style preferences. They may even want to have a hand in the ring’s design.
Decide Between a Natural Diamond or Lab Diamond
While researching your partner’s taste in engagement rings you may discover that they have a preference when it comes to the ring’s center stone. Perhaps they want a colored gem (such as a sapphire or emerald). In all likelihood, however, they’ll want a diamond. It will be up to you to decide which is better for your fiancee, a natural diamond or a lab created diamond ring. The danger with “real” diamonds is that you can’t be sure of their origin.
While a clean origin diamond is ideal, you may unknowingly be supporting child-labor with the purchase of a natural diamond. An easy solution is to consider lab created diamond engagement rings. Simulated diamonds, synthetic diamonds, and lab-grown diamonds all have the look of a mined diamond but with none of the baggage. Additionally, lab-grown diamonds never fade or lose their brilliance, so your loved one’s engagement ring will continue to sparkle as long as your love does!
Pick the Perfect Location
Finding the perfect ring is a huge step in the proposal planning process. However, location matters as well. Pick a place that matters to you and your partner. Perhaps this place is meaningful to the growth of your relationship. Wherever you choose, make sure that you have a backup plan in the event of inclement weather or traffic. While it isn’t necessary for the proposal to happen in private, proposing to your significant other in a crowd is rarely a good idea.
Hire a Photographer
Bringing a friend along to document this significant moment always feels like a good idea until they’ve ruined the memory by messing up the photos. Preserve your friendship and hire a professional. Find a photographer that specializes in weddings and engagement photos. This way, you’ll have a photographer you know and like from day one of your wedding planning journey.
Getting engaged is an exciting milestone. However, it’s never as simple as simply popping the question. Make sure you do the necessary planning and research before the big day. With all of the right elements in place, they’re sure to say “Yes!”
