So, you’re thinking of proposing to your partner soon? First of all, how exciting, and we wish you all the luck! Secondly, we understand that proposing can be a daunting task. There are often so many things to plan and organise to ensure it all goes smoothly. Luckily, we’re here to help.
We’ve created this complete guide on getting engaged to help you plan the perfect proposal. From choosing the ring to getting your proposal speech ready, we’ll take you through every step so you can feel cool, calm and collected on the big day.
Choosing the Perfect Engagement Ring
After making the big decision of proposing to your partner, one of the first things you’ll need to do is choose the perfect engagement ring. An engagement ring signifies the promise of marriage and symbolises your devotion and commitment. It’s something that will hold great sentimental value that your partner will wear for the rest of their life. So, it’s highly important you get it right.
When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, there are many different factors to consider.
Budget
Calculating your budget for an engagement ring can be tricky. While tradition has said you should spend 2-3 months' salary on a ring, these days, it’s much more flexible depending on what you can realistically save and what your partner wants. To get a rough idea of how much you can spend, use our engagement ring calculator as a starting point.
Choosing the Style
If you’ve been with your partner for several years, you may already have some idea of the type of styles they like. If you’re unsure, take note of what jewellery they already wear or ask family members or friends who you can trust to keep the secret what they think will be best.
Choosing the Shape, Setting and Metal
When you have an idea of the type of style you’d like to get, you should then think about the shape of the gemstone, the setting and the metal used for the band. There are many different diamond shapes, from oval and emerald to princess and pear. While round diamond shapes are the most traditional, it’s worth browsing through them all to find something you know your partner will cherish.
The ring’s setting will then highlight the beauty and sparkle of the diamond, so you’ll need to choose this wisely. A solitaire setting is the most classic style and perfect for minimalists. Halo settings add extra sparkle and maximise the centre stone. 3-stone settings showcase a stunning trio of stones in perfect harmony. And, cluster settings feature groups of smaller stones for unparalleled sparkle.
Lastly, the metal of the band is another important detail to think about. Platinum, yellow gold, white gold or rose gold, make sure you pay attention to what your partner currently wears and prefers and research the durability of each different metal before choosing.
Measuring the Correct Ring Size
Not everyone knows their ring size, and if you want to keep the proposal as a surprise, it can be difficult to find out your partner’s ring size…but not impossible! Ideally, the best way to get their ring size measured is professionally in-store. However, if this option isn’t suitable, here are some tips on how to measure in secret:
Ask a Friend or Family Member
If you’re lucky, someone close to your partner may already know their ring size. If not, they can help and subtly ask on your behalf. Or they could suggest a shopping trip and try on rings for fun, then report the correct size back to you. Mission complete.
Measure an Existing Ring
Though every finger is slightly different in size, if there’s a ring they wear often on one of their ring fingers, you can try to measure it yourself sneakily, using our ring size guide. Or, if you get the opportunity, take the ring to your local jeweller to get it measured.
Measure their Finger while they are Sleeping
This is probably the trickiest way to measure someone’s finger, but, if you have no other option, it’s worth a go! While they are asleep, wrap a piece of string around the ring finger and gently tie a knot. Then, using the string, measure it against our ring size guide.
It’s important to remember that if you don’t manage to get the size quite right, we offer a 30-day free ring resizing of up to 2 sizes up or down, so don’t fret!
Planning the Proposal
The most important thing about planning when, where and how you’re going to propose is ensuring it’s special to both of you. While some may dream of big, grand gestures and proposals in front of people, others may shy away and want something more intimate, like a romantic home proposal.
Choose a special location that has meaning, such as a holiday destination you both enjoy, where you had your first date, or somewhere you’ve both always dreamed of going together. Then choose the date you want to propose. Some people enjoy choosing significant dates such as Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries, but others may not want the proposal to take away from that day, so it may be best to choose a new date that will become special in the years following.
Whenever and however you choose to propose, we recommend making a day or a weekend out of it. Treat them in the morning to their favourite breakfast, surprise them with flowers, and talk about your special memories together to really make it a day they won’t forget.
What to Say When you Propose
You’ve got the perfect ring, and the perfect proposal location, now you just need to figure out what to actually say. Your proposal speech should come from the heart - you don’t want it to be generic that could apply to anyone, so make sure it’s personal to you and your journey as a couple.
If you’re struggling with your proposal speech, here are some things to think about to help inspire you:
- What do you love about them?
- Why do you want to share your life with them?
- What makes your relationship unique?
- How have they changed your life?
- Talk about the moment you met
- Look back at your time together
- Look ahead to your future together
- What are you looking forward to the most?
And then of course, after your speech, don’t forget the most important words of them all: ‘will you marry me?’
Keep in mind that there’s no right or wrong way to propose. As long as it’s special to the two of you, then that’s all that matters.
Expert tip: If you’re not keen on public speaking and are worried about getting your tongue twisted or forgetting key moments, write your proposal in a letter and give it to them to read just before the big moment. Then, once they’ve finished reading, pop the question! The letter can then be kept to look back on during your long and happy years of marriage.
Taking Engagement Announcement Picture
After all the build-up and the planning, the proposal will go by so quickly. If you want to be able to look back and see the moment, again and again, it may be worth hiring a professional photographer to capture the moment they said ‘yes!’. There are many photographers who specialise in capturing proposals, so you won’t have to worry about your partner spotting them before it’s happened. Plus, if you’re happy with the result, keep their details as a potential wedding day photographer too - win-win!
Start your engagement journey today and browse our exquisite selection of engagement rings.
So, you’re thinking of proposing to your partner soon? First of all, how exciting, and we wish you all the luck! Secondly, we understand that proposing can be a daunting task. There are often so many things to plan and organise to ensure it all goes smoothly. Luckily, we’re here to help.
We’ve created this complete guide on getting engaged to help you plan the perfect proposal. From choosing the ring to getting your proposal speech ready, we’ll take you through every step so you can feel cool, calm and collected on the big day.
Choosing the Perfect Engagement Ring
After making the big decision of proposing to your partner, one of the first things you’ll need to do is choose the perfect engagement ring. An engagement ring signifies the promise of marriage and symbolises your devotion and commitment. It’s something that will hold great sentimental value that your partner will wear for the rest of their life. So, it’s highly important you get it right.
When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, there are many different factors to consider.
Budget
Calculating your budget for an engagement ring can be tricky. While tradition has said you should spend 2-3 months' salary on a ring, these days, it’s much more flexible depending on what you can realistically save and what your partner wants. To get a rough idea of how much you can spend, use our engagement ring calculator as a starting point.
Choosing the Style
If you’ve been with your partner for several years, you may already have some idea of the type of styles they like. If you’re unsure, take note of what jewellery they already wear or ask family members or friends who you can trust to keep the secret what they think will be best.
Choosing the Shape, Setting and Metal
When you have an idea of the type of style you’d like to get, you should then think about the shape of the gemstone, the setting and the metal used for the band. There are many different diamond shapes, from oval and emerald to princess and pear. While round diamond shapes are the most traditional, it’s worth browsing through them all to find something you know your partner will cherish.
The ring’s setting will then highlight the beauty and sparkle of the diamond, so you’ll need to choose this wisely. A solitaire setting is the most classic style and perfect for minimalists. Halo settings add extra sparkle and maximise the centre stone. 3-stone settings showcase a stunning trio of stones in perfect harmony. And, cluster settings feature groups of smaller stones for unparalleled sparkle.
Lastly, the metal of the band is another important detail to think about. Platinum, yellow gold, white gold or rose gold, make sure you pay attention to what your partner currently wears and prefers and research the durability of each different metal before choosing.
Measuring the Correct Ring Size
Not everyone knows their ring size, and if you want to keep the proposal as a surprise, it can be difficult to find out your partner’s ring size…but not impossible! Ideally, the best way to get their ring size measured is professionally in-store. However, if this option isn’t suitable, here are some tips on how to measure in secret:
Ask a Friend or Family Member
If you’re lucky, someone close to your partner may already know their ring size. If not, they can help and subtly ask on your behalf. Or they could suggest a shopping trip and try on rings for fun, then report the correct size back to you. Mission complete.
Measure an Existing Ring
Though every finger is slightly different in size, if there’s a ring they wear often on one of their ring fingers, you can try to measure it yourself sneakily, using our ring size guide. Or, if you get the opportunity, take the ring to your local jeweller to get it measured.
Measure their Finger while they are Sleeping
This is probably the trickiest way to measure someone’s finger, but, if you have no other option, it’s worth a go! While they are asleep, wrap a piece of string around the ring finger and gently tie a knot. Then, using the string, measure it against our ring size guide.
It’s important to remember that if you don’t manage to get the size quite right, we offer a 30-day free ring resizing of up to 2 sizes up or down, so don’t fret!
Planning the Proposal
The most important thing about planning when, where and how you’re going to propose is ensuring it’s special to both of you. While some may dream of big, grand gestures and proposals in front of people, others may shy away and want something more intimate, like a romantic home proposal.
Choose a special location that has meaning, such as a holiday destination you both enjoy, where you had your first date, or somewhere you’ve both always dreamed of going together. Then choose the date you want to propose. Some people enjoy choosing significant dates such as Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries, but others may not want the proposal to take away from that day, so it may be best to choose a new date that will become special in the years following.
Whenever and however you choose to propose, we recommend making a day or a weekend out of it. Treat them in the morning to their favourite breakfast, surprise them with flowers, and talk about your special memories together to really make it a day they won’t forget.
What to Say When you Propose
You’ve got the perfect ring, and the perfect proposal location, now you just need to figure out what to actually say. Your proposal speech should come from the heart - you don’t want it to be generic that could apply to anyone, so make sure it’s personal to you and your journey as a couple.
If you’re struggling with your proposal speech, here are some things to think about to help inspire you:
And then of course, after your speech, don’t forget the most important words of them all: ‘will you marry me?’
Keep in mind that there’s no right or wrong way to propose. As long as it’s special to the two of you, then that’s all that matters.
Expert tip: If you’re not keen on public speaking and are worried about getting your tongue twisted or forgetting key moments, write your proposal in a letter and give it to them to read just before the big moment. Then, once they’ve finished reading, pop the question! The letter can then be kept to look back on during your long and happy years of marriage.
Taking Engagement Announcement Picture
After all the build-up and the planning, the proposal will go by so quickly. If you want to be able to look back and see the moment, again and again, it may be worth hiring a professional photographer to capture the moment they said ‘yes!’. There are many photographers who specialise in capturing proposals, so you won’t have to worry about your partner spotting them before it’s happened. Plus, if you’re happy with the result, keep their details as a potential wedding day photographer too - win-win!
Start your engagement journey today and browse our exquisite selection of engagement rings.