One of the most obvious things that is sometimes forgotten; is that before you propose you should be pretty certain that you know her answer is going to be yes. You'd be surprised how many couples haven't even discussed the subject of marriage before the man proposes.

If you've already had serious discussions with her and know that you are both heading in the same direction. Then you probably already know what her answer will be. If you're not sure what the answer is going to be it wouldn't be wise to rush out and buy a ring. First, you might want to drop some hints here and there to see how she responds. If you get positive responses go ahead and find that perfect ring.

Before you can buy the ring you have to have an idea of what she likes. If you're not worried about surprising her then you can both go looking for that special ring. If you do want to surprise her; you can ask her friends to casually bring up the subject. Just make sure they don't make it too obvious when trying to find out what she would like in a ring. If you don't know her ring size you might want to take a long one of her current ones for sizing. You can also bring along one of her friends or relatives to help you pick out the perfect ring.

You'll also want to be creative when you propose, so try to pick a location that holds a special meaning for both of you, such as; where you had your first date or first kiss. There is one thing that makes a proposal special; it is getting down on one knee. It may sound old-fashioned but most women feel this is the most romantic thing.

Another thing to consider is that the first question everyone will be asking is, “How did he propose?” Of course if you do get down on one knee with the ring in your hand she will be able to tell the romantic story to everyone.

You might consider getting help planning your proposal. You can get a close friend or family member to help you with the preparations. This makes everything easier and less stressful on you, especially if you're planning a more extravagant proposal. A word of caution, make sure you choose a person that can keep a secret and won't accidentally give away the surprise.

These are just some things to keep in mind when you're planning to pop the question. This is an exciting time and just remember this is only the beginning of great things to come. This will be a special moment you both will remember for your lifetime.