So, you think you and your partner are ready to tie the knot and start a family of your own. Then it’s high time for you to get down on one knee and propose.
A proposal is a milestone for every woman yet a challenge for every man. From picking out the perfect engagement ring to finding the ideal location, there’s a lot that goes into making your engagement day memorable. You might be surprised that you don’t know what to say to your would-be fiancée when it all comes down to the moment.
If you don’t want to experience a cat-got-your-tongue moment, this guide will help you formulate the right words so you can sweep your partner off of her feet.
Preparation is Key
Do you remember your college thesis presentation? Where stumbling over one word or statement would throw off of your presentation and set you up for failure? This is even riskier and more heart-wrenching, and you definitely want to be prepared. You can always write a script, making a list of all of the things that you’re fond of in your partner. Alternatively, ask your father or a male mentor, how he got your mother, or his wife, to say yes. You can learn a tip or two from others’ experiences and apply them to your own.
Carry a Conversationalist Tone
There’s a downside of being over-prepared. You can come across as a well-rehearsed actor or a robot. If possible, avoid memorizing your lines and have a general idea of your points instead. This will help you remember all of the things you want to say without sounding cliché or insincere. It will also an emotional element to the moment.
Riding the Flow of Your Emotions
If you’re sincere, vulnerable, and overflowing with happiness, chances are you’ll tear up. Don’t be afraid of crying or letting some tears roll down your face. Don’t get too overworked and let itaffect your delivery. It might ruin the moment.
Taking a Trip Down Memory Lane
Still struggling with how you can start your proposal speech? If so, tell your partner how it all began – from your perspective. You and your partner may have different views on how your love story started, and walking down memory lane often works like a charm. It sparks those nostalgic feelings when remembered. You can tell her how that first date made you feel or how cute she looked while you shared your first cookie.
Tell Her What You Love About Her
As time passes, we often forget how to make our partner feel appreciated and valued. Most men make this mistake because they aren’t communicators, like women naturally are. In this particular moment, remind her of all the things you think are great about her. From how smart and driven she is, to the way her nose crinkles when she laughs. Tell her how much you love her and her quirky taste in glasses. Let her know that you recognize, and appreciate, that she makes sure you have the perfect tie to pair with your suit. And, never forget to tell her how the world never moved the same with her by your side.
Stepping Towards the Future Together
A marriage is a couple’s pledge to conquer life together as a partner. Before asking her that time-honored question, share with her your vision of the future. Do you think she’d be an awesome career woman, perfectly juggling her kids and her husband in life? If you do, tell her.
Please Say Yes
When everything has been said and done, take a big breath of air, look into her eyes, get down on one knee, pull out your engagement ring and ask her, “Will you marry me”?
No matter how simple, extravagant, or outrageous your plan is, the key to a successful proposal relies on your sincerity, love, and respect for your partner. These values should always be consistent from the time you asked her to be your partner to the time you asked her to be your wife and throughout your marriage.
