How to Propose

if you're proposing marriage, you should know your partner well enough to know what they like. More importantly, you know them well enough to know what will blow their mind. For some people it's just hearing the simple phrase, for others--the bigger the better. While everyone will have their own special way to propose, here are some general steps.

Things You'll Need

• Engagement ring
• A plan

Instructions

1. Know your soon-to-be partner. Center the proposal around something they will enjoy, whether it be sports, movies or nature. Check online or at the library for creative ideas.

2. Make the plan. Have the ring and your speech prepared. If you need candles, have them lit. If you need music, have it set to play on cue. Your proposal should be ready long before you actually do the asking.

3. Don't betray your style. If you aren't a very sappy person but they are, don't make the proposal straight out of their favorite romantic comedy. Make sure it fits you, otherwise it will seem disingenuous.

4. Prepare your thoughts on the wedding. Some people start to plan the wedding date, location, guest list, etc., the very minute after the proposal. If you are taken off-guard, answering "I don't know" to all these questions, your proposal may come off as half-baked.

5. Buy an engagement ring. Be sure to get the right size. This can be done by measuring the circumference of one of their existing rings with a piece of string. Cut it to the length of the circumference and take it to the store.

6. Practice makes perfect. If you have a speech perfected or some kind of timing is involved, such as music or a film starting at a particular time, do a dry run to make sure things are going smoothly.

7. Propose to your loved one and present them with the ring.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to use a cute or clever proposal into forcing somebody into a marriage they may otherwise be reluctant to enter.

• Enlist friends as spies to find out what kind of proposals a person might be interested in.