Realizing you’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is an amazing feeling. But planning your engagement proposal can be a lot, especially if you don’t know where to start.
An engagement is a momentous occasion for everyone involved, and wanting it to be perfect shows how much you care. Whether you’re planning to pop the big question soon or you know someone who is, we’ve created a simple step-by-step guide to help anyone pull off the ultimate proposal.
1. Ask for Your Partner’s Hand
Does your partner come from a traditional household? Do you believe your partner would like their family's blessing before you propose?
Before setting your plans into motion, consider chatting with your partner’s parents about your intentions to take the next step in your relationship. About 70% of people who are planning to propose ask for permission from their partner’s parents first. If you decide to ask permission, you can either start with the parent your partner is closest to, or set aside time to chat with both of them. Asking for your partner’s hand in marriage doesn’t need to be a big production. You can invite them out for coffee, dinner, or a walk to discuss your plans.
It’s a good idea to think about what you’re going to say before your chat. Keep it short, simple, and honest. You might consider telling them the reasons why you’re asking to marry your partner, and that it would mean the world to you if you had their blessing.
Do you have to ask the parents before proposing?
Whether or not you should ask for a parent's permission before proposing is a personal and cultural matter. In some cultures or families, it may be considered a sign of respect and tradition to seek the parents' blessing or permission before proposing marriage. However, in many modern societies, this practice is not as common and it is often considered more important to have open and honest conversations with your partner about your intentions and plans for the future.
Ultimately, the decision should be based on your understanding of your partner's preferences and the dynamics of your relationship. If you believe that your partner values this tradition or if it holds significance for you both, then asking for permission or blessing may be a meaningful gesture. However, it's essential to approach the situation with sensitivity and respect for everyone involved. Remember that the most important thing is the consent and mutual agreement between you and your partner.
2. Research Engagement Rings
Now that you’ve decided to propose, and have or haven't asked the parent's permission, it’s time to research engagement rings. If you’ve spoken about engagement rings before, you may already have an idea of what he/she likes.
To get a better sense of their style, you can ask his/her family or friends, check out their current jewelry collection, or casually take them to a jewelry store to window shop.
When it comes down to it, you’ll need to research different kinds of engagement rings before you buy. To start, there are a few basic elements of an engagement ring you should focus your research on:
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The Setting Style
The ring setting style determines how the center stone is mounted on the ring. There are many different ring setting styles, ranging from a simple solitaire engagement ring that focuses all the attention on a single stone, to bloom settings (what others call a halo), that visually increase the size of the center diamond. There are also classic three-stone designs that symbolize a couple's past, present, and future.
To make your engagement ring even more unique, TACORI settings have a signature design element that sets our rings apart from everyone else, the TACORI Crescent. Both distinct and meaningful, the first Crescent design was inspired by the top portion of a heart which was hand inscribed on the inner face of the ring. It has since evolved to seven different Crescent Fabrics. You can choose from our clean and classic Founder's Collection Crescent Fabric or select a fabric with more intricate detail like our Petite Crescent Collection.
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The Precious Metal
This is the material the ring is made out of. The most popular precious metals to use on an engagement ring are platinum and white, yellow, or rose gold. Factors to consider when choosing a precious metal are its weight and feel, value, and whether your future spouse has allergies to certain metals.
For TACORI rings, we recommend platinum. Its naturally white color won't fade over time and it holds your diamonds most securely.
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The Center Stone
Once you've selected your TACORI setting, you're ready to work with your local authorized TACORI Retailer to find the center stone. Traditionally the center stone selected for an engagement ring is a diamond. When choosing a center diamond you will need to consider the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. These are called the 4Cs. -
The 5th 'C' of Engagement Ring Shopping
TACORI recommends considering a 5th C, communication, between you and your partner. While you may want to keep the details of the proposal a surprise, roughly 62% of couples now go engagement ring shopping together.
Ultimately the engagement ring you buy is up to what you think your partner will love. Doing your research and knowing what you want before you set foot in a jewelry store makes the buying process easier and ensures that you get the highest quality ring for your investment.
After figuring out the setting style, precious metal, and diamond you want, it’s time to put it all together into the perfect engagement ring. If you choose a TACORI ring, you can customize it to make the engagement ring of your partner’s dreams. You can even incorporate an heirloom diamond in your engagement ring to make it more meaningful for you and your future spouse.
When you find the right ring, take a screenshot or take note of the style name or number so you can reference exactly what you want when consulting with a jeweler. Knowing what you want makes it easier for your jeweler to help you find your ring of choice and ensures that you won’t be swayed on your decision.
Should you shop for an engagement ring together?
Deciding whether to shop for an engagement ring together is a personal choice. Opting to do so ensures a perfect fit and allows your partner to choose a ring that aligns with their style and preferences, fostering open communication and reducing potential pressure. On the other hand, a surprise proposal can add an element of magic and tradition, but requires thorough research and consideration of your partner's tastes. Ultimately, the best approach depends on your individual preferences and the dynamics of your relationship.
3. Choosing the Right Place to Buy an Engagement Ring
You can purchase an engagement ring from various places, depending on your preferences and budget. Common options include jewelry stores, both physical and online, where you'll find a wide range of options and trained staff to assist you. Custom jewelers offer the opportunity to create a unique, personalized ring, while antique shops provide beautifully crafted vintage options with a sense of history. And the best part of going to an in-person jeweler is that you'll get the person-to-person interaction. Jewelers carry a number of brands and can create custom rings for you.
When searching for authorized retailers on TACORI.com, note the partner tier status at the top of each retailer listing. This status- Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, or Blue Diamond- relates to the level of TACORI product assortment at each location.
For TACORI rings, we recommend pear, marquise, and oval-shaped diamonds for a modern look. If you’re interested in a more classic style, you can always choose a round or princess cut. Talk to your jeweler about diamonds to learn how the cut you choose will contribute to the overall aesthetic of the ring.
At TACORI, our expert designers handcraft and customize the ring just for you. It’s important to consider this when planning your proposal, as your ring may take several weeks to create. Platinum, Diamond, and Blue Diamond TACORI partners can deliver your TACORI ring within 2 weeks of purchase, while Silver and Gold Partners can deliver your ring in 3 weeks.
4. Plan Your Proposal
Now that you have your perfect engagement ring, you can start planning your proposal. Your proposal is a significant moment in your relationship. It’s a story that you and your future spouse will tell friends and family for years to come. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you get every detail right.
Great proposal ideas:
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Take your partner out for a romantic dinner
Restaurants are a classic setting to pop the big question, especially if the place you choose holds a special meaning for you and your partner. Ask them out to their favorite spot and surprise them after dinner with your proposal. -
Whisk your partner away for the weekend
Who doesn’t love a weekend getaway? Make it even more special by asking for his/her hand in marriage and ordering champagne to the room to celebrate. -
Bring your partner to the place where you first said “I love you”
Find a spot that’s significant to you and your love story and propose there. You can relive old memories and make new ones all at the same time. -
Make it a holiday to remember
The holidays are the perfect time to ask for your partner’s hand in marriage. Family and friends are already gathering from near and far. This is a great time to celebrate your big announcement.
Where and how you propose all depends on your story as a couple and what you think your partner will like. If he/she has mentioned in the past how they want to be proposed to, try your best to bring that dream to life.
If you’re keeping the proposal a surprise, you can coordinate with those in the know to get them involved, ask for ideas on what type of proposal he/she might like, and make sure he/she is in the right place at the right time.
5. Choose the Right Words to Say
Leading up to your engagement proposal, decide what you want to say to your future spouse when you ask for his/her hand in marriage. Here are a few easy ways to get ideas about what you want to say when proposing:
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List out all the reasons you love your partner
Whether he/she inspires you to be a better person, encourages you to live your dreams, or is a source of constant support for you, list out all the reasons you love them. Use that list to come up with the words you’ll say when you propose. -
Remember the moment you realized they were the one
Think back to the moment you fell in love with him/her and realized they were the one and use that to tell the story of how far you’ve come and where you see your relationship going. -
Talk about the future you want with them
Have you talked about traveling the world with them, having kids, or living in your favorite city together? Work this into your proposal to help them see the future you envision for the both of you.
6. Celebrate the Engagement
Once you pop the question and your partner says yes, it’s time to celebrate! Friends and family will all want to gather to congratulate you on your engagement. This is also a great time for them to show off her new ring with the perfect engagement ring selfie.
You can plan a surprise get-together directly after your engagement proposal or set it up soon after you’re engaged. Depending on your style, you can keep it simple with backyard cocktails or celebrate your engagement at your favorite park, restaurant or winery.
Your loved ones will be so excited to celebrate this moment with you, hear the story of your proposal, and see the new ring. Flying your partner’s best friends and family in from afar is always a good decision.
How do you celebrate your engagement?
Celebrate your engagement by sharing the news with loved ones through calls, gatherings, or social media. Consider hosting an engagement party or a special date to mark the occasion. Capture the moment with a professional photoshoot and exchange meaningful keepsakes. Begin planning your future together and take time for a private moment to reflect on the commitment you've made. Ultimately, celebrate in a way that feels genuine and special to you and your partner, creating cherished memories for the journey ahead.
7. You’re Engaged! Now What?
First and foremost, cherish this moment. You’ve put a lot of effort into pulling off the perfect proposal and getting your partner an engagement ring they love. Your engagement will go by fast and before you know it, you’ll be married!
Take this time to visit friends and family so you can celebrate together and so your partner can show off the engagement ring. When you’re ready, you should also start thinking about the wedding bands you want to buy for yourself and your fiancée. TACORI has a number of stunning wedding bands that perfectly compliment any engagement ring. 