Are You Planning to Propose This Fall?

The weather might not be ready, but we are.

Crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters, and cooler days are just around the corner, and preparations for fall are already in the works. But if you’re planning to pop the big question this fall, you might still be sweating. To help ease some of those nerves and prepare you for this life changing moment, we’re sharing three easy tips to stay calm, cool, and collected during your autumn proposal.

1. Secure the right ring
If you haven’t already found the quintessential engagement ring that will secure an immediate, “Yes!”, then this is the perfect place to start. Depending on where you plan to buy your ring, it can take some time to receive it back perfectly sized and ready for its forever owner. If you don’t already have an inclination, make sure you know what type of engagement ring your significant other will be expecting. There are tons of ways you can figure this out if you’re trying to be discreet.

For starters, have a chat with her close friends and family. There’s a very good chance that you’ll be able to get the inside scoop on the exact ring that she’s had saved in her camera roll for the past three years.

If she hasn’t spammed her best friends with pictures of the ring, then your next best guess is to look at her Pinterest. You’ll have a 50/50 chance of finding a ‘wedding’ board which will also reveal a hint to what your wedding may look like…just go ahead and get comfortable with the fact that you’ll have very little say.

If you’re completely in the dark on what type of ring is right, then base your decision on her personality. If she’s a fan of the simpler things in life, then go with a solitaire or classic style that she can always dress up or down. If she’s more into sparkle, glitz, and glam, then a halo setting is the perfect choice. And if she’s eclectic and wants something that no one else has, then go with a vintage style.

Also be sure to decide on which type of stone she’ll want. Nowadays there are many more choices than in the past. You now have the option to choose an ethically sourced lab-created diamond, or you could go with something out of the norm like a lab-grown gemstone.

2. Plan ahead
Your proposal isn’t something that should be planned overnight. This is a huge life decision that should not be taken lightly. Before you even purchase the ring, make sure you’re secure that both members of the relationship are at a point where marriage is definitely your next step. If you’re 100% sure, then here are a few things you’ll want to have ready ahead of time:

Have the incredible ring that you just purchased in your possession before anything else. You don’t want to have an entire production planned and then have to reschedule everything last minute.
Figure out exactly where you want to propose. If it’s at a public location, you’ll want to do your research. Do you need a reservation? Can the staff help pull off the proposal? Let the people or businesses involved know your intentions. There’s a good chance they’ll find a way to help. If it’s outside, could weather play a part?
Make sure you have a backup plan in case anything falls through. The last thing you want is a bad ripple effect from one bump in the road.
Figure out a way to capture the moment. Whether you hide a camera or have a photographer hide in the trees, this is an image you’ll want to have for the rest of your lives.

3. Celebrate accordingly
She said yes! Now it’s time to celebrate. What you do after a proposal is really a personal preference. However, there are usually two routes you can take.

If you’d like to be alone in the moment and cherish the start to an incredible journey, try to have something planned for post-proposal. Whether you go pop a bottle of champagne together at home or watch the sunset by Lady Bird Park, it’s perfectly fine to enjoy this exciting moment just the two of you.

On the other hand, many couples opt to have friends and family join the celebrations. Think about the first 10 people she’d call with the big news and surprise her with them at an after party.

Fall can be the perfect time to propose for many reasons. The weather is just right, the holidays are starting to bring people together, and you’ll have tons of gatherings over the next months to show off that gorgeous ring.

Though proposing can seem daunting, with these planning and preparation tips and the perfect ring, you’ll be able to pull off the most memorable moment that you’ll both cherish forever.