It was a blistering hot Southern California night. Sam and Carly were leaving the local hot spot after an evening of drinking and dancing with their closest friends. From a mile away, anyone could see that they were in love. They kissed and joked with each other as they made their way hand-in-hand to his brand new Harley Davidson Night Train.
Sam was twitchy, because the engagement ring he just bought for Carly was burning a hole in his pocket. He could not wait one more second to find out if she would become Mrs. Jones. Dropping to one knee like he had seen in so many movies, Sam slowly withdrew the one-carat diamond engagement ring he had found in Palm Desert only one week before.
For Carly, this was a dream come true. She was instantly sober and absolutely giddy when he slipped that engagement ring on her finger. The next morning, though, her heart crashed to her feet upon realizing that Sam had absolutely no memory of that moment that had meant so much to her. Over and over she asked herself "how could anyone forget something as important as a proposal?"
Typical Proposal Mistakes and How to Avoid Them:
Carly and Sam's story, while true, is not typical. Most men do not forget they have proposed marriage, particularly when they have presented her with an engagement ring. However, there are some things that do commonly happen that may shatter that oh-so-romantic moment. These include:
Proposing too soon: Okay, so she takes your breath away when she enters the room, but you still want to give it a bit of time to make sure she is the one you want to spend every day with.
Pushing for an answer: You gave her the ring and your best-rehearsed "will you marry me" and she neither screamed "YES" immediately nor seemed to show the excitement you expected. This doesn't necessarily mean that she needs prodding. In this case, it is best to give her the time she needs to think.
It's all about her: When you plan to present her with that engagement ring it took you months to find, remember that moment is all about her-not you. Make sure the event is something she will remember for a lifetime.
Keep it simple: The more complicated you make the presentation of that engagement ring, the greater the chances of something unexpected happening. For example, a man I worked with once buried his ring in a candy dish filled with jelly beans. It took weeks for her to find it, because she was so upset that candy was all she had received for Valentines Day after seven years.
Bend like a reed in the wind: When you try to push a day or a time, the engagement process can become rigid and inflexible-not the dream of lifetime moment you are hoping for. It may take a while, but be patient and wait for that perfect moment to ask. The end result will be a cherished memory for you both.
If you follow these simple guidelines and avoid situations like Sam's, she will remember the night you presented her with that carefully chosen engagement ring for a lifetime.
So you found the right girl, now it is time to find the right ring. You want a ring that will make her say "yes" without hesitation, the kind of ring she can show off to her friends and family proudly. This will make you the hero in the romantic hearts of all these women, especially your future bride. The wrong ring might not be as appreciated, turning a wonderful moment into an awkward one. Can you imagine popping the question, presenting the ring, and having her refuse to put the ring on? You may think it is cool to have found a replica of the ring Morticia Addams wore on the TV show, but your girl might not have your sense of humor.
The first thing you want to do before buying an engagement ring is to plan what you are going to spend. The rule of thumb is to spend two months salary on the ring, but sometimes your love is bigger than that and you want to be a bit more extravagant. When you decide your price you have to remember all the other costs that will be associated with getting married and what you will have to pay in the future. Not every bride has a family willing to pay for the whole wedding.
Then you have to decide what type of ring to get. One thing you should investigate is the possibility that your bride may have allergies to some types of metal. You wouldn't want your ring to turn her finger green. There are many stores that offer a traditional ring, but not everyone is traditional. There are many alternatives to the old fashioned diamond engagement ring. You could get one with her favorite stones or birthstone. If she is passionate about something it can be incorporated into the ring. For example, if she loves a particular animal you can get a ring with the animal engraved on it. If she is into the old fashioned look there are ways to have your ring antiqued with a finish that makes it appear older.
After all this it is time to actually hit the stores. When going to a store to shop, never pick the first one you see thinking it will be good enough. You put a lot of thought into the decision to get married so the same seriousness should be carried over to all the aspects of the engagement and wedding. It is a good idea to pick a couple different rings and ask the jeweler to hold them for you and think about for a couple days. A large purchase like this shouldn't be done quickly; you wouldn't buy the first car on the lot.
After the ring is chosen all that is left to do is to find the best way to propose. But that is information for another article.
Both Brian Welsch & Gregg Hall are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.