5 Things to Tell Your Partner Before a Proposal

I have pictured what a perfect proposal would look like a million and five times. I can’t help it! It is such a special moment, it’s hard not to daydream about it—especially when you and your partner start talking about marriage. The details start to come together in your head of what you have in mind: the ring, where it could be, what your partner might say, and, of course, all the bridal outfits you will wear for the length of your engagement.

With that said, it is important to talk to your partner about the proposal, so when the right time comes, they can consider your preferences while they are planning. After all, you both want the moment to be perfect, so you should have a conversation about what “perfect” means to you. Of course, there are details that should be left for surprise, but it is OK if your engagement isn’t a total surprise. There are five main things we recommend telling your partner beforehand, so we are sharing them with you here to help you and your partner both have a blissful, dream-worthy proposal:

1. What type of rings do you like?

Source: Clean Origin

Whether you have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to the ring style you like (guilty) or you only have a slight idea of what you like, be as specific as you can or even start shopping for rings together! Once you start looking, you will notice that companies creating lab-grown diamonds like Clean Origin are taking the industry by storm.

Lab-grown diamonds are just as beautiful as regular diamonds, and they are more ethical and clean. Plus, they are more affordable, so you can get a larger diamond or a nicer setting without sacrificing quality. And with Clean Origin, you can custom build your perfect diamond engagement ring with a wide selection of handcrafted settings, from minimalist solitaires to elaborately adorned art deco rings and everything in between. Since you will be wearing your ring your whole life, do your research and communicate what is important to you when it comes to ethical sourcing and style. Click here to explore and shop lab-created diamond engagement rings from Clean Origin!

2. Do you think asking for permission is necessary?

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In your opinion, is asking for permission one of those traditions that should stay a tradition, or do you think it is an outdated one? If you think your partner should either ask for your parent/family’s permission or simply let them know before they plan to pop the question, definitely talk to them about how you feel about this. Similarly, let them know how your parent/family might feel about it going either way. Your partner might have similar feelings or they might not have even thought about it yet, so open up this conversation to let them know what is or is not expected of them.

3. Do you want a public or private proposal?

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When you picture your proposal, are there people around or is it just the two of you? Are you in a specific place? Take some time to think about this. Then, open up a conversation with your partner about what you prefer and ask them their thoughts as well. This is a really important part of your big moment, so be direct with each other. For example, you’ll need to be more specific if you say, “I would love to get proposed to on the beach.” Does this mean during the day when there are a bunch of people there or at night when it’s basically empty? There is a big difference, so definitely communicate about wanting a public versus a more intimate moment.

4. Would you like a photographer?

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If you ask any married or engaged person about their proposal, they will probably say that they totally blacked out when their partner got down on one knee. Once the “I can’t believe this is really happening” feeling takes over, the rest is a blur until about 20 minutes later when it actually sets in. The solution? Hiring a photographer to capture the whole thing. Whether you want a photographer hiding in the bushes or you want to do engagement photos immediately after, tell your partner. Also, if you like specific photographers, send your partner their details.

5. Should family and friends be involved?

Source: Pexels | @cottonbro

Of course, you’re going to want to celebrate your engagement with your friends and family, but do you want them there when it’s happening? For some, it’s hard to imagine such a big life moment happening without loved ones present, but others might want to soak in the bliss with their partner before spreading the big news. Make sure your partner knows who you would want present, if anyone at all, so they can coordinate that as needed for the day of.