Wedding Proposal Checklist: 8 Things to Check Before Your Proposal to Make Sure it’s Perfect!
Planning a wedding proposal can be extremely stressful for what should be one of the happiest times in your life. It’s like planning a surprise party, but with much higher stakes. To make this process easier, we have compiled a list of eight things to remember before your big day! If everything goes right, it can be one of the happiest and most memorable days in your and your future fiance's life!
Proposal Checklist - What to Remember When Planning Your Proposal
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Venue
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Decorations
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Attendees
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What to say when proposing
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Photographers/Cameras
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Time of day
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Proposal Celebrations
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Engagement Ring
Venue - Choose a Great Location
- Choosing a setting for your proposal can be difficult. There are tons of things to consider when selecting a location for your proposal! Here are some things to look out for. If there is a location that has meaning to the two of you as a couple, you should definitely consider it! Special places make the proposal that much more meaningful and memorable. If there is a theme park, hiking trail, or even a restaurant that you have special memories in, it should be in contention for a proposal location. Be sure to consider the amount of people in the area, as some people may want a more private location. Others may want a place where they can be the center of attention! Scout the location out beforehand on a similar day to the planned proposal date. For example, if you plan to propose on a Saturday night, be sure to check out the location a couple weekends before proposing on a Saturday night to see if there are any hindrances you could potentially avoid beforehand.
Decorations
- Plan out the style and decor of the proposal of your dreams. I would recommend using Pinterest to create a board of all the things that you would like at your proposal and how those things would look together. For example, many people like to use a sign or large letters that spell out “Marry Me”. Picking the right way to display those words can make a huge difference. For example, you could use large metal letters with lights like these. Or you could have a special neon sign made through Etsy if you would like something more personalized. Balloons are also a great way to display the words.
- Other decorations are not to be overlooked either. For example, flowers and columns can add a touch or romance to the proposal. In addition, for night time proposals or proposals in the dark, candles can really spice up the mood. Be sure to buy all of these things beforehand so you have time to focus on the other parts of the proposal!
Attendees - Decide who you would like at your proposal
- Depending if your significant other is a shy person or not, you need to decide who you would like to invite to your proposal. Some people may prefer a more private and intimate proposal - either with just the two of you or the two of you with some close friends. Others may want to be the center of attention and attract the congratulations of passers by. For those people, you may want to invite more people and choose a location with busier foot traffic - such as a theme park or restaurant.
What To Say When Proposing
- Deciding what to say is extremely important. I would highly recommend writing out when you are planning to say beforehand and practicing it. It can be hard to remember what you want to say in the moment, surrounded by other people watching you as soon as you get on one knee. You want to be as prepared as possible, so make sure to practice! I would recommend making sure that your speech is not longer than two to three minutes, one or two minutes is the sweet spot.
Photographers and Cameras
- Having a photographer there during your big moment may be something that you want to consider. Although having an extra person there may be intrusive, many people would love to have candid photos of their special day. If you are already considering inviting friends and family to witness your proposal, adding an extra person as a photographer is a great idea. Even simply a friend with a camera can handle the extra duties. Make sure they are aware of your proposal plans, such as when you plan to get on one knee and the shooting location. It may help them to be prepared to take the photos in the moment, especially as it will likely be over and done quite quickly.
Consider the Time of Day
- Consider the time of day for your wedding proposal. Proposals in the morning may have less people in locations like the beach, hiking trails, or anywhere public. In addition, choosing to propose on a weekday may also have less people in popular spots. For those wishing for a more private proposal, you may want to consider proposing during those times. Weekends at peak hours will have more foot traffic for those wanting a crowd to celebrate their engagement. There are a few more things you may want to consider as well. If you choose to propose at night, you may want to check out our light up ring boxes. A built-in LED light in the lid of the ring box shines a spotlight on your engagement ring, making your proposal that much more perfect.
Proposal Celebrations
- After she says “Yes!”, there are still the celebrations to think about. Luckily, once she has accepted your proposal, the hard part is over! If you have invited many friends and family to witness your proposal, you may want to consider booking a restaurant or venue for everyone to gather together afterwards. Be sure that people are aware of the plans beforehand, as others may be busy.
Engagement Ring
- Make sure to choose an engagement ring that suits your future fiance. They will be the one wearing it, so it should be in a style that they like. If she is a simpler person, perhaps choose a ring with a more basic style. In addition, I would recommend getting a special engagement ring box to replace the standard one from the jewelers. Check out our personalized custom engraved wood ring box! You can have it engraved with your names and proposal date for that extra special touch. Use this code from WeThrift for an extra 10% off your entire order!