Have you ever wondered which knee to propose on? Maybe you haven't, but we've just made you panic! We very much doubt they'll notice which knee you're on, but if you would like to be traditional, then your left knee should be on the ground, while the right knee should be up.
Traditionalists say you should kneel on the left knee, like a proper knight. Most people are right side-dominant, so using your right leg might be more reliable. Studies and surveys on kneeling to propose universally ignore which knee hits the ground. Your partner probably won't notice which knee you use.
Why the left knee, specifically? According to Keith Willard, a wedding officiant and wedding planner, most people get down on the left knee because they are right-handed. Getting down on the left knee allows the proposer to position themselves properly and open the box easily.
The overwhelming majority of men get down to one knee to propose marriage. Why? Well, it's a tradition dating back to medieval times when a knight dropped to one knee as a sign of respect to royalty. Proposing on “bended knee” is a show of respect for a future bride and the act also signifies loyalty and devotion.
Not all individuals opt to propose on one knee—and that's completely okay. For example, some folks may opt for something more unique, modern or perhaps even more meaningful. Need some proposal ideas to spark romance?
Place the engagement ring on her finger – the PERFECT one you chose out of ALL the other engagement rings – and tell her that she is the most special person in the world to you. It all depends on what's special to you and your partner.
A guy who is ready to settle down thinks of himself and his partner as “one”. If he starts talking about things you both love, enjoy doing, or like to try together, it's a classic sign that he's ready to propose. When he refers to you as “we”, it's like saying you are an inseparable part of him.
Usually, rings are presented in a ring box for beauty purposes, however, beyond physical beauty you also need ring boxes to secure the ring during the proposal process. Ring boxes are also necessary for your partner to properly store the ring. Proposing without a ring box is sentimentally weird, but also dangerous.
The Knot says that in 2017, 87 percent of the men who proposed to their mate did so on one knee. “It's one of those traditions that is as old as time,” says The Knot's Ivey Jacobson. “It shows a lot of respect for the family, to your partner, and gets everyone on the same page for what's about to happen.”
How Would a Man React to a Woman Proposing to Him? You may worry though: But how would a man feel about being proposed to? In one survey of 500 men, 70% said they'd be psyched if a woman proposed! So you may be surprised how many men would love the idea.
If you and your partner are the low-key types, then a marriage proposal at home might be absolutely perfect. While any proposal is sure to be romantic, you likely want to make yours extra-special—even if you're planning on popping the question in a relatively simple and casual way.
If circumstances, whether it's feeling under the weather, dealing with a work crisis or family troubles, or being stressed for a different reason, will prevent you from focusing on your partner and being truly happy during the proposal, we recommend waiting.
It Really is Up To You
In conclusion, when it comes to deciding whether or not you should see your engagement ring or wear it before your partner has proposed, the decision should be based on what feels right to you.
Do not show off your engagement ring before the official proposal, even if you helped select it. This demonstrates emphasis on the trinket rather than the relationship. Do not share proposal secrets and plans with friends and family before the event.
You're Proposing Tonight
Sometimes in life, a particular moment is too good to pass up. If that moment is tonight, you need a placeholder ring. Your spontaneity doesn't have to compromise her engagement ring, and it shouldn't.
Most couples date for two or more years before getting engaged, with many dating anywhere from two to five years. Once the question is popped, the average length of engagement is between 12 and 18 months.
We determined that the median engagement age in the United States is 27.2 years for women, and 28.7 years for men — a 1.5 year difference. Furthermore, the median amount of time a couple dates before the proposal is 3.3 years.
One in five people (20%) say that couples should generally date for 12-18 months before getting engaged. Another 15% say they should date for 18-24 months, while another 15% think two to three years of dating is ideal.
Honor Tradition
If so, make sure you do it,” Blum says. “And when the time comes, get down on one knee, with the ring box in your hand, and actually say 'Will you marry me? ' followed by your intended's name.”