Planning To Propose??

Congratulations! 
What an exciting new chapter you are about to enter, let’s make it perfect for her!
Here are a few tips that will help your proposal go as close to what you and her envision as possible.

1. Get out a piece of paper. 
Write down everything she has ever told you, told her friends, things that you found on her Pinterest or Instagram saves… and write it ALL down. Think of anything she may have mentioned that was her “picture perfect” proposal, or her ideas of what would be amazing! Pay close attention to the details and try hard to imagine what would best fit your relationship. Is it a quiet moment alone together? Is it celebrated with friends and family looking on to celebrate with afterward? Is it surrounded with the people closest to you?
Think about it... what does she want it to be? ​Think of all those questions as you start brainstorming a plan. 

2. Look for the right photographer. 
You want to start out with this... especially because if your photographer is anything like me, they will go above and beyond to help coordinate and provide as much insight and help as possible. (we care about more than just pretty pictures, and with our help you will get those pretty pictures too). The right photographer is someone who first off, can keep a big secret. They have the style of photography that she likes. Maybe she even knows them, or recommended them to you.. The right photographer is sweet, kind, and can help you with any little details when it comes to providing input for the proposal. The right photographer can make a huge difference.

3. Choose the location. Having a hard time choosing the spot?
Just think of a romantic moment you shared, a special date night maybe, a favorite place to go together, a place you both talk about visiting, a place you call home, a favorite restaurant, a favorite hiking trail, a favorite beach? If you have any memories together at a specific place that makes you both happy to be at, then consider doing it there! Or if you know of somewhere with a great view, or something exciting to go do.
Examples: a wine tasting tour, ending at a great view. 
A horse carriage ride.
A hike ending at a great view.
A scavenger hunt ending in your favorite date.
A day of new adventures.
A romantic night in.
A romantic walk along ending at a spot you previously set up or had help setting up.
Are you getting any good ideas yet???

4. Romance the heck out of it. 
Add candles, add flowers and flower pedals, dim the lights, add fireworks (not really, unless you wanted to already, but you get the idea). 
Just think of everything she wants it to be, and do your best to come through with an epic proposal moment that she will love.

4. Casually get her nails done in the days leading up to it.
Don’t be obvious about it! If she already regularly gets her nails done, then just try to plan as best you can around that time frame. If she doesn’t, then you may need some behind the scenes help of one of her friends or her mom or grandma. Have them go out on a girls day casually, or have mom offer to paint her nails or take her out. If it’s something that they NEVER do together, then double think this idea, because if she knows why she is getting her nails done, it could ruin the surprise of it all!

5. Get the group ready.
 If she wants people there, or people to watch from a distance in hiding, then you need to carefully plan for all of these people to know about this secret, and to KEEP the secret. 
Don’t tell someone that you know can’t keep a secret, until the last moment possible. Stick to phone calls as best as possible, or do the planning when she is not with you (I hope you already knew about that one). With each person you invite, be sure to remind them, “we would love to have you be a part of this moment, and being a part of this moment means you need to help me make it the best surprise for her by not letting anything on to her and keeping her in the dark about this surprise”. I recommend not letting too many people in on it too early on. The longer people know, the easier it will be for someone to “accidentally” spill the beans. 

6. Write out a speech, and start studying it buddy.
I can’t tell you how many times a man has told me he knows what he is going to say, and then as soon as he is about to say it, his brain fogs up, his emotions kick in, and he FORGETS everything he thought he would say.. Ends up saying “uh, er, uh, will you marry me”? And yes, in the end, if that’s all you say, she will still love you and will still love that moment! But wouldn’t you rather come a little more prepared for her? Still allow the moment to take you where it does with emotions and excitement, but still get in a few words about how much she means to you and why you even want to get married to her.
Even if you have to pull that speech out from your pocket, it would show care, it would show that you tried your best to say it from the heart, but that you don’t want to mess up this moment. She will love that too. So I say, write it down, keep it short and sweet, remember it as best as you can… and if all else fails, just don’t forget to say her name, and then ask her to marry you!

7. Trust your gut and your heart.
As you plan, just ask yourself “would she like this”? Then follow whatever you think she will want in her proposal, even if it means ignoring input from other people. Do it the way you and your lady would love it most! In the end... that’s all that matters!