Asking someone to marry you is often one of the most nerve-wracking moments we experience. Marriage is a huge step; it takes preparation, reflection, and a lot of love to commit your life to someone else.
If you are in that period where you are wondering whether it’s time to propose, we can help you with some of the preparation. Here are five things you should figure out before getting down on one knee.
1. Her Perfect Engagement Ring
If there is one thing that could go wrong during a proposal, it’s the ring. You do not want to propose with a ring that doesn’t fit or a style she doesn’t like. Before you decide to get married, you should know your partner’s ring size and research her favorite designs and stones and the metals she prefers to wear.
The best way to do this is by asking the people close to her. You can also try asking her directly during regular conversations, but you must be subtle about it. Finding the right engagement ring increases the chances of getting a yes to your proposal.
2. Her Ideal Proposal
While getting the ring right is hugely important, knowing how she would love to be proposed is just as essential. Some people prefer intimate, private settings during the proposal, while others feel celebrated and adored by loud and public declarations of love.
Knowing your partner and their preferences will help you organize a memorable proposal demonstrating your love for them. You can also suss out these details from them by initiating casual conversations about the things she likes. Try bringing up an example of a proposal you read about, and see if you can gauge her reaction.
3. Her Thoughts on Marriage
Not everyone believes in the fairytale of marriage and proposals. Some people want to have a life partner without ceremonies and commitments. It would be embarrassing to get a no from the love of your life simply because you never asked whether a marriage was on the table.
With such high divorce rates in the US and worldwide, some people are paranoid about getting married, while others don’t want it. Talk to your partner about marriage and listen to her views about it to know whether to propose.
4. How She Feels About You
It’s one thing for your partner to want to get married and another for her to marry you. Your partner might have positive thoughts about marriage, but she could be unsure about marrying you.
Think about the characteristics of your relationship, such as how you handle conflict with each other. If you constantly fight about everything without resolving your problems, that might not spell success for a life together.
This should be obvious, but it happens often enough that we have to say it: don’t pop out a ring in the middle of a fight and expect a yes. Read the room and make sure you’ve worked out your issues before proposing.
5. Whether Your Life Goals Align
Marrying someone who wants completely different things out of life than you do is almost always disastrous. That marriage might not even get past the honeymoon. Conversations about life goals are essential to see whether you have similar interests.
For example, if you want kids and your partner does not, there is no way you will reconcile that with a ring. Waiting around and hoping she’ll change her mind won’t cut it, either. Talk about these things when dating to avoid making the mistake of marrying someone who doesn’t share your vision of the future.
In Conclusion
Marrying the right person is one of the best ways to safeguard your happiness and that of your future family. While many newly-minted fiancees focus on the wedding ceremony, marriage is a lifelong commitment that should be treated with caution and respect. Understanding your partner intimately and loving her for who she is will help you start your happily ever after on the right track.
