In 2024, it’s time we accepted once and for all that women can propose to men—and that some forward-thinking ladies have already been doing it!
If you’re a woman planning to propose to your male partner, these tips will help you keep it classy while maintaining the confidence to do it your way.
1. Be ready to forget the haters
While attitudes toward a woman proposing have certainly changed for the better, you’ll still need to be ready for the fact that some people won’t understand.
A “sticks and stones” attitude is one of the best possible investments you can make in your happiness, both in matters of marriage and in everything else!
You’ll also want to know that you can count on your partner to stand as a unit with you and face any skepticism together.
It’s all about confidently embracing your decision and knowing that your proposal is a true reflection of love and commitment — not social expectations.
2. Choose the right place and time
Place and time are huge parts of a proposal, regardless of who’s proposing to whom. A place that’s special to you — such as a favorite beach, state park, or bar where you went on your first date — can give your proposal a wonderful emotional resonance that might just draw some tears of joy.
Ditto for times that mean a lot to you and your partner: Think about a specific date (like your anniversary), a special time (like the fall or spring) or even a particular time of day (sunset is always a classic).
Shared history helps anchor your proposal in the things that matter the most to you and your partner, so take some time to think about where you’ve been, where you’re going and how the proposal can reflect the best of both.
3. Decide how you want to do the ring
Proposing as a woman means writing your own playbook and communicating with your partner, and choosing the engagement ring will be one of your first opportunities to do that.
Some couples go with a his and hers matching ring set, while others might use a watch or another piece of jewelry.
It’s also worth considering how you want to do the wedding rings since some people want their wedding and engagement rings to complement each other.
A huge selection of men’s wedding bands, including cool options like men’s titanium wedding rings, are available — so give some thought to what’s going to look best on his finger.
4. Consider giving him at least some advance warning
Because women proposing still isn’t the norm, some men can be taken off guard by it. The situation could get awkward if he was already getting ready to propose to you or if he has specific ideas of how he wanted the moment to go.
You don’t have to completely spoil the surprise or tell him every detail of your proposal — but a little bit of pre-emptive communication will go a long way to ensuring the experience gets all the magic it deserves.
A discussion of your future together, including marriage, can be the perfect opportunity to get a read on his feelings about proposals and all the rituals associated with them.
5. Make a basic plan for what you’ll say.
You don’t need to write a full speech, but you’ll probably want to know what you’ll say (other than the big question itself).
Share why you want to spend your life with him, what makes your relationship special, and your hopes and dreams for a future together.
It’s worth rehearsing the basic points to ensure you don’t forget something important, and it can make you feel more prepared in what will undoubtedly be a butterflies-in-the-stomach moment.
6. Plan your after-proposal celebration
A proposal calls for celebration afterward, so take a little time to think about what you and your partner will enjoy after you pop the big question.
Making a dinner reservation is probably the most classic option, but activities like a wine tasting, boat tour or even a night in a luxurious hotel can all set the right mood.
Take the opportunity to bask in the joy of your commitment and start your new chapter together on a high note!
7. Decide if you want photos of the big moment
Some couples love to have pictures from their proposal as it happens. After all, there’s nothing like seeing the priceless look on your partner’s face! If that sounds like something you’re interested in, consider hiring a professional photographer to discreetly capture the proposal.
Trained proposal photographers know how to keep a low profile until the big moment arrives, and they’ll know how to work with your plan ahead of time to guarantee that those once-in-a-lifetime reactions are beautifully immortalized.
There’s also the possibility of setting up a remote-controlled camera and tripod on your own, although this can add some technical challenges that may be a drag to deal with.
8. Embrace the moment as fully as you can
Ultimately, this is your moment to make a lifelong memory with the man you love. When the big moment comes, take a deep breath and try to forget any baggage that might come along with it, and just soak it in.
You (hopefully) only do this once, so let yourself enjoy it to the max. You’ve got this!
