Let’s talk proposals. Specifically, let’s talk about your dream proposal. You’re only going to get one shot at this, so you better make it count, right? You have years of engagement and wedding talk in front of you, and when you recount how the man of your dreams bent a knee and asked the big question, you want to be able to tell everyone he did it in a way that was indeed right out of your dreams.
There are many ways to propose, and none of them are “wrong” as long as they’re “right” for you. For some couples – many couple, actually – the dream involves a beautiful getaway and a proposal at a picturesque location. A destination proposal is guaranteed to be romantic and unforgettable, as long as you get it right. Don’t worry, though, we’re not here to put on the pressure. We’re here to help you!
Whether you’re thinking about revisiting a favorite vacation spot and making it even more special or visiting someplace new and exciting for the very first time, a destination proposal offers the perfect opportunity for a loving couple to get away from it all and experience some real romance. After all, who wants to think about work and their commute and all the other everyday stresses right after one of the happiest days of their lives? Proposing on vacation leaves all that behind and offers plenty of privacy for the two of you to enjoy after getting engaged.
You could abscond to a beautiful vacation spot right now with ring in hand and make up the rest as you go along, and sometimes that spontaneity can work out for the best. But if you really want to ensure that your destination proposal is the stuff of dreams, then check out these five helpful little tips for guaranteeing your proposal is perfectly romantic.
Let the Family Know First
It’s old fashioned, yes, but that doesn’t mean that asking your future spouse’s parents or other family members for permission to have his/her hand has gone out of style. It can be a little intimidating to do this, but chances are if you’re ready to propose then the person you’re asking has already discussed this possibility with their family, so there’s little chance you’re going to catch them completely by surprise and force them to think too hard about this on the spot. Chances are they’ve already accepted the idea of welcoming you into the family and couldn’t be happier to provide their blessing. So just relax and ask away. You’ll feel better having their support, especially since they’re soon to be your family members too.
Know Your Partner’s Style
As mentioned already, everybody has different ideas of what is and isn’t romantic. Does your future fiancé love the spotlight? Then think about making the proposal in public. If that’s not their style, then arrange something more private, like a candle-lit, in-room dinner with champagne and flowers.
Find the Right Spot
In the last step you figured out the vacation destination. Now it’s time to find the exact place to make the proposal while you’re there. Does your future fiancé love the beach? The mountains? The city? You should be able to easily think of the type of place they like at this point in your relationship, which makes this a lot easier than you might think.
Make It Memorable
You’re both going to be recounting the details of your proposal over and over and over again, so make sure it makes for a great story. Your fiancé will appreciate bragging about it, and you’ll come out sounding great to everyone who asks. Play to your strengths here. You can sing a song, write a poem, plan a scavenger hunt, learn a dance, create a photo book, speak from your heart – your options are nearly endless.
Capture the Moment
Selfies or cell phone pics captured by strangers are good, but professional photos are better – a lot better. It’s not always practical, but, if possible, you should consider hiring a professional photographer to be there at the right moment to snap the perfect shots. Some photographers will even be willing to work with you beforehand to advise exactly where to kneel and where to have your future fiancé stand and even which direction to face. Don’t get too rigid with this, as it’s more important to focus on each other than the photo, but do your best to set up in the spot and direction yourself and hope she/he follows your lead.
Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings
Bonus tip: make sure the ring is everything your future fiancé has ever dreamed it would be. Keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily have to mean breaking the bank, as you can get a beautiful cubic zirconia engagement ring that’s nearly indistinguishable from the real thing and comes at a fraction of the price.