Just Say It
Talk about being married, rather than asking them outright to propose. Talk about your future together as though you assume you will eventually be married. This will help them to picture how lovely it could be. This will also give you a good indicator as to if they're on the same page.
Enlist the help of a close family member or friend.
“By enlisting someone your partner admires, be it family or close friend, they might be able to drop some hints that you want to get engaged on your behalf about how great you are as a couple, and they should seal the deal before they lose you,” she adds.
The most telling sign he's planning to propose? He makes plans that are a little too secretive or vague – like a weekend trip to Paris or the beach, a reservation at an exclusive restaurant or a rendezvous at any place that: has personal significance for the two of you or for him (like where his parents got engaged)
Before proposing, think about the people who matter most in both your life and hers. It's a safe bet to say parents, siblings, grandparents, or other close family members should be in-the-know before you pop the question. Sometimes, best friends can even be included.
Throughout the years it has become a common courtesy to ask a father's permission before asking for his daughter's hand in marriage. The age-old tradition has been known to show respect to the future in-laws; in essence, it has become proposal etiquette 101.
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. The ring box should be in your left hand, and the box should be opened with your right hand.
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.
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.
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.
One lasting side effect for taking too long to propose is that your partner may begin to feel resentful. They may feel as though something must be wrong with them that is making you not want to pop the question. Or they may start feeling like you just don't value them or take them seriously.
“The ideal age to get married, with the least likelihood of divorce in the first five years, is 28 to 32,” says Carrie Krawiec, a marriage and family therapist at Birmingham Maple Clinic in Troy, Michigan. “Called the 'Goldilocks theory,' the idea is that people at this age are not too old and not too young.”
Earnshaw offers a shorter time frame—she says people typically date for about two years on average before getting engaged—but she emphasizes that every relationship is different. "I have worked with couples who have gotten engaged within six months and those that have waited much, much longer."
While research shows the average length of engagement for most couples in the United States is between 12-18 months, you shouldn't let this influence your decision. Some couples have shorter engagements and others wait closer to two years before tying the knot.
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. Pay attention to him when he talks with friends or family.
A promise ring, sometimes known as a pre-engagement ring, is given in a relationship to signify commitment. Whilst for many young couples a promise ring means a vow of an engagement ring to come, others may simply use it to show their loyalty and devotion to their partner.
The truth of the matter is that there is no right or wrong length of time to wait to get engaged. Some couples wait six years before making it official, while others date for just six months—it all depends on your unique circumstances.
Although it's tradition to propose with a ring, you can just as easily propose with another piece of jewelry that you think your partner would wear or enjoy more. A necklace, a bracelet, earrings, or even a watch might be a piece of more practical and preferred engagement jewelry.
Meanwhile, the ring box should be in your left hand and must be opened with your right hand. Some men bend both their knees while proposing, but we recommend you stay away from that.
“Marriage proposals are deeply personal, so sharing this with other family members makes them feel special. It allows them to be present at the start of the marriage (the proposal), and sends the message that they are welcome for the many years that the marriage endures.”