
Brenna & Scott Wedding Photos / Stefani Welsh Studios
We’ve been involved in our fair share of proposals, and decided to team up with our friends at Brilliant Earth to provide their wealth of knowledge and experience with couples ready to get engaged. If you’re preparing for a trip down the altar, you’ve come to the right place to plan this meaningful milestone. The proposal experience should be as unique as your relationship and we’re here to share a few engagement tips that will help make your proposal simply unforgettable.
Be on the same page
Marriage is a commitment from both parties, so it’s important to make sure you’re on the same page when it comes to your future. You will want to make sure you’re having important convos about this long-term commitment before proposing. You’ll also want to know their preferred timeline, style preferences, and wedding expectations. Trust us on this one. Don’t worry, it’s definitely possible to have these discussions without spoiling a surprise proposal!

Photo by Brilliant Earth
Tailor your proposal
Think about your partner and how they would love to be proposed to. Not everyone wants to see their private moment on a jumbotron while others want all the public fanfare. Know your partner’s comfort level and if they’d prefer a quiet moment at home, on vacation or with all their loved ones ready to surprise them nearby.
Plan the capture
Whether or not you decide to share it with the world, you won’t regret having mementos to remember the day. One of the most popular ways to do this is to hire a professional photographer or videographer who can blend in with your surroundings (we’ve even seen one disguised as a hiker nearby!) or a close friend to do a fake out hang.

Photo by @voyager_vy @tvanpromise
To surprise or not to surprise
The theme of most of our tips is, it depends on you and your partner! Some people love a good surprise while others want to know something is coming their way. Your partner may want to pick out the rings with you but not know exactly which date the proposal is happening. If you’re in the dark about their preferences, keep an eye on their Pinterest board or talk to their friends and family to get a sense of their style. Brilliant Earth also offers a Drop a Hint tool that allows you to send your favorite styles to your loved one (or a trusted friend the proposer can go to for intel) along with a personal note and your ring size.
Embrace flexibility
Even with the best of intentions and careful planning, things don’t always go according to plan. Give yourself grace for little snafus and mishaps. That all enriches the proposal storytelling later!

Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, Photo by @traceyandmartinphoto
Take a pause
It’s tempting to immediately want to call all your friends and family, but we highly recommend taking the rest of the day or evening for yourselves. Mark the occasion with a dinner at home or a surprise date night and give yourselves the time to soak up the post-engaged vibes before your loved ones and social media circle share in the moment. On the flip side, if you want to plan a special engagement party to share in the experience right away, be our guest! Fly the family to your location, rent a venue and go big, we’re here for every minute of it, as long as it’s true to you as a couple.
This article is made possible by our friends at Brilliant Earth. Brilliant Earth is the global leader in ethically sourced fine jewelry.