Thinking Of Proposing To Your Man This Leap Day? Here’s Our How-To Guide
It’s Leap Day! The day woman are ‘allowed’ to propose to their other halves [Photo: Rex Features]
In case you hadn’t noticed, today is 29th February, otherwise known as Leap Day. The special day that according to tradition means it’s a-ok for women to get down on bended knee.
If you’ve been pondering popping the big Q this year, you’ll be in good company. Zsa Zsa Gabor claims she proposed to all nine of her husbands. The actresses Halle Berry and Jennifer Hudson and the singer Pink did so too. All the best women take matters into their own hands, it seems.
Still need a dose of courage to go for it? Here’s some reassuring news for potential proposers: a new stat shows that the men are actually in favour of women breaking tradition to ask a guy to marry them. A recent study by Goldmiths showed that 94% of unmarried men would be happy to be proposed to by their girlfriend. Well it is the 21st century and all.
Thinking of proposing to your man this leap year? Romance Expert Tiffany Wright has some top tips [Photo: Rex Features]
Ready to take the plunge and pop the big Q? Romance expert and founder of The One Romance, Tiffany Wright has some top man-friendly proposal tips to consider before the big moment…
Think outside the engagement ring box
You don’t have to propose with a ring. It could be a pair of cufflinks, or a piece of art - anything that lasts a lifetime. A watch is another nice idea as you can have it engraved with your proposal date. It’s something he will wear every day - just like an engagement ring.
Do your prep
Before you propose, sit down and think about what he is like as a man. If, for example, your man loves going on long countryside walks, consider hanging a sign from a tree that that says ‘marry me’. Is he a bit of a wine connoisseur? Take him to a wine tasting where he is asked to taste a very special new wine. What’s so special about it? The wine label has the year you met, your names and ‘Will you marry me?’ written on it. You don’t need to spend a fortune on the proposal, but putting thought and effort into it will show him how much you care.
Who says women have to wait for men to ask them to get wed? [Photos: Rex Features]
Know what you’re going to say
Asking someone for their hand in marriage is nerve-racking - regardless of who proposes to whom. Let him know how nervous you are and acknowledge that he might find it strange… but then give him reasons why you feel your marriage would work and why you want to marry him. And the most important bit? Don’t forget to say ‘Will you marry me?’ at the end! Otherwise, he might just think you’re having a 'romantic moment’ and not realise you are asking to spend the rest of your life with him.
Consider how he’ll react to the proposal.
Try to test the waters about how he feels about being proposed to. Re-tell a story about another woman who proposed to her man and see how he reacts. Does he think it’s sweet and romantic or does he laugh and mutter ‘ridiculous’ under his breath? You’ll get a good idea pretty quickly if he’s all for women proposing or not. And consider whether marriage is even on his radar. Have you discussed getting hitched with him or does he balk at the mere suggestion of marriage? If you have had 'the chat’ and you know he is heading in that direction, take that as a positive sign.
Don’t panic if he says no
It doesn’t have to mean the end of your relationship. Ask him calmly for his reasons. They could well be practical ones: perhaps he is worried about the financial situation of paying for a wedding, or maybe he was saving up to buy you the engagement ring you always wanted. Another reason could be that he is just plain 'surprised’. Maybe he never expected you to ask so he needs to sit back and take it all in. Admit it; you’d prefer for him to think about his answer rather than just saying 'Yes’ and regretting it later.
94% of unmarried men said they’d like being proposed to [Photos: Rex Features]
To get down one knee or not?
There are no hard and fast rules about women proposing, so just do and say what you’re comfortable with. If getting down on one knee seems alien to you, then why not propose using another gesture. You could reach for his hand or take out a piece of paper that has 'marry me’ on it.
Consider how you’ll feel afterwards
Will you always wonder if he’d ever have asked you? If he says 'Yes’ to your proposal, then it obviously means he sees his future as being married to you. Chances are if you hadn’t asked, he probably would have done so anyway. And as for worrying if it makes you desperate, if you’re in a happy relationship does it really matter who does the proposing?
Did you propose to or are thinking of proposing to your man? Or are you a man who’s been proposed to? Share your engagement story with us @YahooStyleUK
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