A guide to proposals

Stressed about getting down on one knee? Asking someone to marry you is both exciting and scary. It’s one of life’s biggest milestones and should be a memory you’ll both cherish for years to come, which is why you’ll want to ensure you make the perfect proposal.

Planning makes perfect

As popping the question requires precise planning, there are some important decisions to make before you say those four words. Will you buy a ring for the proposal or shop for one together afterwards? If you do buy a ring, what type of gemstone and metal should you go for, and which cut? You might also want to consider when the best time to propose is and where to ask the big question.

Depending on which style you choose, the perfect engagement ring can be a costly purchase. Ring prices vary hugely depending on the type of stone, the stone’s quality and the choice of precious metal. If you’re planning on whisking your other half away to a romantic destination as well, the money required to make the perfect proposal can soon start to add up, so you’ll need to ensure you have your finances in order.

Ring research

While all this prep might seem quite daunting, you’ll feel more confident if you know your stuff, especially when it comes to the ring. 69% of people drop hints about the engagement ring they want, so you may be able to glean some useful info there. Although there’s no substitute for fully researching such a big purchase.

Take a deep breath

To help ease the jitters and help you get that resounding yes, we’ve created a handy guide to proposing. It offers a range of useful tips - from buying a ring and the four Cs, to popular dates for popping the question and proposal styles.

Read on to find out more, and good luck!

Planning your wedding day? Check out our guide to wedding loans.

This Money Matters post aims to be informative and engaging. Though it may include tips and information, it does not constitute advice and should not be used as a basis for any financial decisions. Sainsbury's Bank accepts no responsibility for the opinions and views of external contributors and the content of external websites included within this post. Some links may take you to another Sainsbury's Bank page. All information in this post was correct at date of publication.