Planning a proposal can be intimidating. Regardless of whether you are interested in a destination location like a St. Augustine proposal, or just getting down on one knee in your living room, there are several different things to consider and be prepared for. On top of trying to deal with the natural nervousness that comes with proposing to your loved one, you have to plan everything and deal with all of these emotions without being able to rely on the person you are closest with!
Don’t worry, we have you covered. Our Marriage Proposal Planning Guide will walk you through everything you need to know and think about before getting down on one knee and asking that special someone to spend the rest of their lives with you.
Katie and John’s proposal photos
Be Confident the Answer Will be “Yes!”
We love a surprise proposal, don’t get us wrong. However, while the details of the proposal can be top secret, you should get an idea if you and your partner should be on the same page about the overall idea of getting married before proposal planning begins. People can have very strong opinions about marriage, and even people who ultimately want to get married might not be ready to do so right now.
It can be challenging to bring up the idea of marriage in everyday conversation, so look for opportunities to discuss the topic in a natural way. For example, you could use a friend’s recent engagement to get them talking about marriage and listen to what they have to say. Or watch a movie together that features a wedding and talk about it after. You should know your partner’s opinions about marriage long before you pop the question.
Talk With Their Parents or Other Important People in Their Lives
Weddings are steeped in tradition. Some of that tradition is great, and some of it doesn’t make any sense in a modern 21st-century wedding. There’s no way around the fact that asking for a parent’s permission to marry their daughter or son is VERY old-fashioned. However, there’s something romantic and endearing about having that conversation with the people who raised the person you love. Don’t think of it as asking for permission. Rather, you’re simply telling them about your intentions to propose. This is your opportunity to explain to your future in-laws how you feel about your partner and get them on board early so you can establish a strong connection for the future. They might even have insight that will be helpful for planning the perfect proposal!
Choosing The Engagement Ring
Going through the process of picking out and buying the right engagement ring can definitely be stressful. You’re trying to pick a ring that your partner won’t have much, if any, input on even though they will be the ones who hopefully wear it for the rest of their lives! Most people will either have to buy an engagement ring or be lucky enough to have had one handed down to them by a relative. There is a lot to consider when buying an engagement ring, so make sure to check out our engagement ring shopping guide before you head out to the jewelry stores.
Plan What You’re Going To Say
Yes, you’re more than likely going to have to say a little more than just “will you marry me” as you get down on one knee. Tell them how much they mean to you, how happy they make you, and how they make you want to be the best version of yourself that you can be. Trust us, your nerves will be maxed out, even if you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that they are going to say yes. This isn’t a time to just wing it. Jot down a couple of notes, run through the proposal in your head, and at least have an idea of what you are going to want to say.
Choose A Place To Pop The Question
Choosing the right location to pop the question can be challenging, but also fun. Do they have a favorite restaurant? Can you go back to the spot of your first date? Is there an exotic location you’re planning to visit soon?
We might be biased, but we think St. Augustine, Florida is the perfect place to propose. A St. Augustine proposal is always romantic, elegant, fun, and memorable. The area is rich with culture, history, and is surrounded by Florida’s natural beauty and beaches, which has helped it to be once again recognized by USA Today as one of the best historic small towns in the country. It’s also led to St. Augustine becoming a popular vacation spot with tourists.
When planning a St. Augustine proposal, wedding planner and owner of Uncorked Occasions Brittany Jones says “it’s tourist season year-round in downtown St. Augustine, and there are many events that take place, including our Nights of Lights, parades, races, etc. You want to know what you’re getting yourself into with regard to parking, busy streets, and obstacles. I recommend choosing a proposal location or two outdoors (plan A and B), and then make a plan C indoors for inclement weather.”
For more help in finding the perfect location, check out our list of the best places to propose in St. Augustine.
Hire A Photographer And Enlist Help
It’s been a growing trend for several years now to get a picture or video of the engagement, and we are here for it! You two will love having pictures that immortalize this moment. Not only that, but these pictures often are perfect for announcing to the world on social media that you’re now engaged, using on invitations to an engagement party, or even including with the Save the Date cards!
The one catch is that it’s very difficult to take good pictures of the moment when you’re supposed to be down on one knee pouring your heart out to the person you love. It’s well worth it to hire a professional photographer, who can be there to capture every detail. We’ve got a great list of St. Augustine wedding photographers that we highly recommend.
Whether it’s taking pictures, or making sure that any other element of the proposal is just right, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family members.
Come Up With Your Cover Story
There’s an element of secrecy to all proposals. Even if they have a strong suspicion that you are going to propose, it’s not like you are going to tell them outright that you’re planning a romantic stroll along the beach at sunrise so you can ask them to marry you. So spend a little bit of time to get your story straight. Know what you are going to say to get them into the right spot at the right time. You should also think about logistics, like how you’re going to carry the ring. Can that ring box fit in your pocket without being seen? Are you going to have to slip away for a couple of minutes to make sure the bottle of champagne and flowers are in place? The more you can prepare for and think about ahead of time, the better chance you can get to the proposal itself without tipping them off about what’s about to happen.
Plan Your Post-Engagement Celebration
Sorry to say, your planning doesn’t end when they say “yes!” Have a destination in mind where you two can go and celebrate! Luckily, St. Augustine is known for its incredible restaurants and dining experiences. There are so many delicious options right in the downtown historic district where you can enjoy the taste of St. Augustine. A few of our favorites are Harry’s, The Floridian, Catch 27, Collage, and Preserved… although there are so many culinary delights that it’s hard to choose! Many of these restaurants also have outdoor dining available, where you’ll be free to reminisce about your relationship and even start planning for the upcoming wedding.
There’s Nothing Like A St. Augustine Proposal
You’ve planned every detail of this perfect proposal. You bought a ring, wrote a speech, planned a vacation, hired a photographer, and got down on one knee. Your hard work is over now, right? Well, yes and no. Take this time to celebrate with your loved one about all the memories you’ve shared up until now, and the even better memories you’ll be making together in the future. But know that the first question you’ll be asked after telling people you’re engaged is “when’s the wedding?”
You might be able to take a bit of time to relax and enjoy the moment, but soon enough it will be time to start planning again. Make sure you’re prepared by checking out our list of things to do after your engagement and our Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline. And it’s never too early to start thinking about where your wedding will be. With how perfect St. Augustine is for a proposal, imagine how incredible it will be for a destination wedding!
