| So you've met the perfect person, and you are ready | | | | This didn't happen, and to be honest, it was horrible that |
| to take the relationship to the next level. I am here to | | | | I planned it out so well. My real engagement (1st time) |
| show you what to do and what not to do. | | | | ended up like this: Fly first class to Honolulu, HI, to stay |
| To begin with DO NOT over think the proposal, | | | | a couple of days relaxing on Waikiki beach. We spent |
| simplicity is sweet, as well as the more you think about | | | | every day together, and then on the last day, (a |
| it, the more nervous you will become, and the more | | | | specific date, 22nd of the month, her favorite number) I |
| disappointed you will become if you forget something, | | | | decided to propose. I had the ring with me on the |
| or if the worst happens, she says no. | | | | plane, but in the hotel room, I hid it under the bed in a |
| With the first step, you should know before even | | | | fed-ex box. I had forgotten that we did not have a |
| purchasing the ring if your mate is ready for marriage. | | | | maid the entire week, and on the one day we did, I |
| Over 50% of all marriages end in divorce, and there | | | | moved the box from under the bed, into my drawer |
| are multiple reasons as to why this happens, but one | | | | with clothing. We went out and had a wonderful |
| of those reasons is that both people are not ready, | | | | evening, eating dinner, watching the sunset, and having |
| and they rush into thing. Know what is going to happen | | | | a romantic time. We get back to the hotel room, and |
| before the event occurs, this will prevent you from | | | | she went into the bathroom to take off her ear rings, |
| having a really expensive ring in a box. | | | | and I looked under the bed, and my heart stopped. The |
| Second, getting the ring: The ring is important, without | | | | box was gone. I rushed out of the room, and just said I |
| help from the other party, picking a random ring and a | | | | would be back, and went on a mad hunt for the maid |
| random diamond could be disastrous. With that being | | | | service, to find out what had happened. I really didn't |
| said, try to either drop hints subtly, or get the parents | | | | think the maid stole the ring, but perhaps threw the box |
| involved (especially if the mother or father has | | | | away thinking it was trash, and told the concierge this, |
| presented her with jewelry before that she wears all | | | | but unbeknown to me the maid went to my room, and |
| of the time), if that is not the case, get the friends | | | | approached my girlfriend and told her she didn't steal |
| involved as well. | | | | any ring. By the time I realized the box was in the |
| Under typical "American" standards, an engagement | | | | room, just in a drawer, the surprise was gone, and |
| ring should be between 2 and 3 months salary. A | | | | really my brain had shut down. Instead of anything |
| person earning $600 a week ($15/hr) that would be a | | | | sweet, I handed her the fed-ex box, and said this is |
| minimum of $4,800 and a maximum of $6,000. If you | | | | what all of the fuss was about. Of course she loved |
| make more, the ring should be more, if you make less, | | | | the ring, cried, and said Yes, but 3 days later gave me |
| the ring less, but to be honest to some women, the | | | | the ring back and said do it again, and do it right. |
| price of the ring isn't important, it is the meaning and the | | | | I waited 6 months, and made it up, nice easy and |
| thought behind it, and whether or not the ring is suitable | | | | simple. She doesn't like public displays of affection |
| for the girl. | | | | (know this before proposing), so we went out, ate a |
| Rings are a complex thing to go into, so I am going to | | | | wonderful dinner, and at the end of the evening, I got |
| skip picking the right ring. Just make sure she will love it | | | | on my knee, and proposed with a nice "Will you marry |
| before shelling out the dough for it, or, do the classic: | | | | me?" with some additional stuff personal to us. |
| take her to a Jewelry store for the proposal, go down | | | | I am not saying to just do this, the advice I give is this: |
| on your knee, and propose saying she can pick | | | | 1) Know your future wife to be, and what she likes and |
| whatever she wants (NOTE: This can be really | | | | dislikes. If she likes public displays, and wants friends |
| expensive, and it does remove the creativity of you | | | | there, then do that. But if she doesn't, do propose to |
| picking the perfect piece of jewelry for the woman, | | | | her at Yankee Stadium in front of the entire crowd. |
| some women will not like this). | | | | 2) Find your niche, and plan the words before you do it. |
| After the ring is purchased, there are multiple things | | | | This way it will seem natural, instead of forced, and |
| you can do. When I was in high school, I always liked | | | | you won't be as nervous if you rehearsed it. |
| to plan my life, and I planned my proposal, it was: | | | | 3) Get on one knee! This is a must if your girlfriend |
| Living separately in a large city, we would have keys | | | | loves traditional things |
| to each other's apartment. One early weekend | | | | 4) Don't over think the whole thing, if you over think, |
| morning (a day off for both of us) a Limo would arrive | | | | and one thing goes wrong, the entire plan falls apart. |
| at her house and one of her friends would wake her | | | | Learn to improvise. |
| up, and they would get in the limo together. It would | | | | 5) Do go out on a limb with a surprise, if she likes that. |
| become a day of pampering. First a spa, for | | | | 6) K I S S: Keep it simple stupid!. |
| massages, then a salon for hair, makeup, and nails. | | | | 7) Ask the parents for their approval, and they may |
| Lunch would be provided inbetween. After the | | | | even help out with picking the ring. Especially if she has |
| makeup, hair, and nails she would then go to a fine | | | | a great relationship with her parents. |
| gown shop a purchase any dress in the place. After | | | | 8) Make is special for her! This is not your day to shine. |
| getting fitted, and wearing it out, she would meet me | | | | You are doing all of the work, and you may get |
| for a wonderful, expensive dinner, then go to some | | | | benefits, but this day is her day, and her day only. |
| sort of entertainment (Opera, play, etc...) that would | | | | 9) Don't get the ring, until you know 100% for sure she |
| require the gown. I would be in a tux, and the evening | | | | will say yes. |
| would be perfect. At the end of the night, we would | | | | 10) Have fun with the proposal, and as long as it is for |
| go back to her place, and I would kiss her at the door, | | | | her, she will love it. It could be as simple as cuddling |
| and leave her there, getting in the limo and driving off. | | | | together with her favorite movie, and bringing her ring |
| She enters her apartment, and a path of roses leads | | | | on top of a bowl of popcorn, or as complex as my |
| to her bed, where a ring box is sitting. She opens the | | | | plan I had up there. |
| box, and it is empty, and I sneak into the room, and get | | | | 11) Just because it is more elaborate, does not mean |
| on my knee, holding the ring. When she turns to see, I | | | | she will like it better. If it is customized to her likes, and |
| would ask "You are the perfect person for me, the | | | | wants, she will love it a lot more, than if you spend |
| love of my life. Will you marry me?" | | | | $1000 on a day of things she hates. |