Knowing how to plan the perfect proposal and the general thrill behind the lead-up can be an exciting but nerve-wracking time and there’s a lot to think about, from the when to the where and even the how. Engagement ring specialists F.Hinds surveyed 2,000 Brits to uncover what makes a perfect proposal and their findings will help you make sure that you’ve considered everything when planning how to pop the question.

For the perfect proposal, you need the perfect ring. Choosing from popular stones for engagement rings will at least help you narrow down the stone colour. Now it’s time to plan the perfect proposal.

Plan the Perfect Proposal

Budget For Your Engagement Ring

Whilst it’s true that the whole process of getting married can strike fear into your wallet, it’s crucial to set the tone early and make sure you work within your budget for your proposal. The last thing you need on top of the anxiety of proposing is added financial pressures and your partner wouldn’t want you to experience financial stress because of the proposal.

In their survey, F.Hinds found that on average, Brits think the perfect proposal should cost around £2,348, including the price of the ring. However, this did differ depending on the age of the person answering, with Millenials having the most expensive taste as their perfect proposal came in at £4,102 on average.

Timing Your Proposal

It’s crucial that both you and your partner are at the same place in your relationship and want the same thing. Talking to each other about where you see the relationship heading can help you feel secure in your decision to propose.

Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed said that being proposed too early into the relationship would be a reason to reconsider so wherever possible you want to feel confident that marriage is definitely part of your near-future plans before getting down on one knee.

The timing of the proposal itself is also an important consideration so take into account anything big you have going on in your life and whether or not this would impact your proposal or wedding plans. Proposing at another couple’s wedding is usually considered bad manners and the ultimate no-no, although shockingly over half (55%) of Brits said they wouldn’t mind stealing the spotlight and getting engaged during another person’s wedding.

The Engagement Ring

Finding the right engagement ring can be one of the most daunting parts of proposing, so consider finding ways you can gauge what your partner likes without having to ask them outright. This might be easier than you think as if marriage is something you’ve been discussing lately (and it really should be if you’re thinking of proposing!) then they’ll likely have talked to friends or family about what their hopes are for the proposal or expressed preferences about the ring. If they’re very organised they may even have created a Pinterest board, or similar, of ring styles they like.

Even though engagement ring shopping can be daunting, be wary of proposing without a ring. This might seem like the ideal solution to allow your other half to choose their own ring but one in five (17%) of Brits confessed that they would be put off accepting a proposal if their partner popped the question without a ring.

Location To Pop The Question

Deciding whether you should pop the question in the comfort of your home or whether it should be at your favourite restaurant or another special place can be a difficult choice, so it’s important to consider how your partner would feel in either situation.

Three-quarters (74%) of Brits would be put off if their partner proposed to them in public, whether it be in front of family and friends or total strangers. Unless you know your partner would be delighted with a big showy, public proposal, the odds are you’d be better off keeping it low-key or at least away from prying eyes. This will also take the pressure off you when it comes to actually asking the question.

Destination proposals are increasingly becoming a thing, with couples heading off on romantic holiday or for a mini break for their proposal and almost a third (32%) of Brits would choose to head off on a picturesque getaway to get engaged.

If your budget won’t stretch to a proposal abroad or you’d prefer to get down on one knee in private, then don’t worry. Around one in five (18%) of those asked said they would still be eager to be proposed to while at home, proving that it really is about who is asking rather than how they ask that’s important when it comes to accepting a marriage proposal.