Traditional marriage proposal ideas involve the man asking for his future father-in-law’s blessing before getting down on one knee to pop the question over a candle-lit dinner. Or perhaps making a spectacle of having his proposal scrawl across the jumbotron at a sporting event while his girlfriend tries not to look like a deer in headlights on the kiss cam.
As we inch closer to gender and marriage equality, most women who aren’t in a same-sex couple feel uncomfortable about popping the question. The thing is, there’s no reason for us to have to think in terms of waiting for him to put a ring on it. The only thing less empowering than rejection is waiting in limbo for your guy to truly commit. Just the other day, the hilarious ladies on Bitch Sesh (Real Housewives fans must check out this podcast) pointed out that a promise ring is really an ‘I promise not to marry you ring’.
Stop wasting time and throw out your old marriage proposal ideas. If you’re really in love and want to spend the rest of your life with him, take the bull by the horns and you put a ring on it yourself.
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Once you’ve opened up to the concept of taking matters into your own hands, there are a few things to consider. First, is it really the right time? If you’ve only been dating for a month or two, probably not. If you’re worried about him cheating and hope a commitment will make things seem more secure…also not the best idea.
If you’ve been finding yourself daydreaming about marriage proposal ideas, you’ve been solidly together for a while, everything is going really well and you feel like it’s you’re ready to take the next step in life, that’s the right time. However, you’ve also got to be prepared for a possible ‘no’. He’ll probably be taken a little off guard — but if he’s the right guy for you he’ll recover quickly — and he may say no before he says yes. He also might not be as ready as you are. It’s important that you’re in a good place where you can take a little rejection without freaking out. You’ll either be freeing yourself up for Mr. Right or you’ll open up a new avenue of discussion that takes your relationship to the next level even if that isn’t the altar yet. Or, you’ll be planning a wedding!
We put so much thought into marriage proposal ideas because we hope it will be a treasured memory to look back on with our mate in 20 years. It’s also going to be a story we tell over and over…and over. Just because you asked him, it doesn’t make your union any less real or mutual but be ready for other people’s reactions. You’ll probably get a lot of ‘So how did he do it?! and then ‘Oh. That was brave.’ or ‘Wow, you’re lucky he said yes!’. Be ready to shrug it off and take it in stride.
If you’re a strong, confident woman who’s not afraid to take control of her own destiny, then go start brainstorming romantic marriage proposal ideas and be part of the next generation of brides!
