1. Find the Right Person

Sometimes you know after the first date. Sometimes you know after three years. There is no perfect time frame for realizing that you want to spend the rest of your life with someone. But when you know you’ve found the right person, then you may wish to begin planning a proposal.

2. Decide on the Best Time Frame

Now that you are ready, do you want to propose as soon as possible, or are you hoping to wait until a significant event like a holiday, an anniversary, or an upcoming trip?

3. Determine a Budget

What is your budget for planning a proposal? Are you limited to what you spend on an inexpensive engagement ring? Or do you also have funds for a nice dinner out, a weekend getaway, baseball tickets, or another more elaborate plan?

4. Shop for an Inexpensive Engagement Ring

Start browsing stores and websites for engagement rings. Think about your loved one’s style and taste as well as your own budget. Make a short list of your favorite choices, and shop around for the best deal. Remember that you’re likely to get the best deal on an inexpensive engagement ring online.

5. Measure her Finger

Before you purchase a ring, you will need to know her size. If she wears a ring on her ring finger, measure it sometime when it is off her finger. You could also consider ordering a free ring sizer from My Trio Rings to use after she goes to sleep, or ask her mom or sister in confidence if they know her size.

6. Purchase a Ring

Once you have finalized your budget and her sizing, pick the ring you think that she will love best and order it.

7. Consider Possible Locations

Now is the creative part of planning a proposal. Will you propose at home over a candlelight dinner? Or will you use the inexpensive engagement ring to propose more publicly at a sporting event, a botanical garden, or at the top of the Empire State Building? Will you organize a singing proposal flash mob or have her unwrap a special package under the Christmas tree this year?

8. Make a Plan

Once you have considered all the possibilities, make a plan and choose a date to pop the big question.

9. Practice What You Want to Say

Some guys stick to the traditional down-on-one-knee, will-you-marry-me. Other guys like to be more eloquent in their proposal, sharing their feelings openly with their girlfriend. If you want to say something special, think in advance about what that might be.

10. Execute Your Plan

Now is the time to make your proposal happen. Grab the ring and go!

Photo credit: Ryan Polei