Two of the most important days in your life will be your wedding and the day you proposed. Even if it’s not a big deal to you, chances are, there will be plenty of people who ask about how you proposed, and you want your fiance to be able to happily share that information with others.

However, with so many romantic movies and TikTok videos showing people proposing and setting the bar high, how can you compete? The truth is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a lavish setting or hire a videographer to catch that special moment. But there are a few essentials, like finding the right engagement rings and planning a quiet, romantic moment to propose.

Ready to make this event the perfect occasion that your soon-to-be wife will brag about and remember forever? Follow these steps to create a remarkable proposal that rivals those Insta-perfect pictures she’s seen (and swooned over) in the past.

Step 1: Make Sure This is What You Both Want

Maybe your girlfriend, family, or friends have been hinting that it’s time you take the next step in your relationship and get engaged. Maybe you have other friends who are in that “season of life” and are settling down. Whatever it is, if you feel pressured to propose, it’s not the right time. A proposal should be one of the happiest moments of both your lives.

This feeling works both ways. While the element of surprise is always an excellent part of this event, you and your significant other should have discussed your plans for the future before you propose. If you haven’t, and you’re not sure they’ll say yes, you might want to ask them where they see your relationship headed. Otherwise, you could be investing a lot of money into a ring and engagement planning details only to have it not turn out how you’d hoped.

Step 2: Choose the Ring

Proposing with a ring has been a tradition for centuries. However, there are two ways you can do this. If you’re positive you know your partner’s tastes — maybe you’ve already been ring-hunting, and they’ve pointed out a few they love, or they enjoy jewelry and you know what they like and don’t like — then you can invest in a ring before the proposal.

However, an engagement ring is a forever thing. Your spouse should be happy to wear it and show it off, so they need to love it. For that reason, some people choose to buy an inexpensive replica diamond and let their new fiancee choose the perfect ring after they accept the proposal.

But if you’re determined to find the right ring and propose with it, keep these tips in mind:

● Know your budget. It’s easy to go into debt on an engagement ring, but if you know how much you want to spend and save for it, it will help your finances in the future as you settle into married life.

● The type of metal matters. Find out (subtly) if your partner prefers platinum, yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver, or rose gold.

● Diamond cut is crucial. Do they prefer blingy bands of multiple diamonds, or a classic solitaire? Do they want diamonds, or would they rather have a different stone?

● Will the ring you choose match a wedding band eventually?

● What size is your partner’s ring finger? This question can be tricky to answer. The average women’s ring size is six and the average men’s ring size is ten, according to Bride magazine.

Once you find the perfect ring, it’s time to start planning how you’ll present it.

Step 3: Set the Scene

Setting the scene for the proposal depends on your partner’s tastes and their family/friend life. Are they happiest somewhere alone with you, or do they tend to be more family-oriented? If they’re big on friends and family, consider including their favorite people in the proposal event.

Choosing the location and time of the proposal correctly is vital. You want to show that you’ve put thought into it. The most common proposal dates are Valentine’s Day and Christmas, but if your partner doesn’t go for cliches, you may want to skip those two options. Special occasions, like your anniversary or their birthday, are solid choices.

If you’re unsure where to propose, you might want to watch a few romantic movies or slide some TikToks into the evening to get a feel for what your partner thinks is corny versus sweet. Being close to their friends and families can be helpful, too. If you think they can keep a secret, consider asking those closest to your S.O. if they have any background knowledge of your partner’s dreams of this occasion. Making their childhood or current dreams come true is a big plus!

One more thing to think about is the “approval” process. Many people find the traditional “asking the father/parent for permission to marry” to be romantic and respectful.

Step 4: Put it Into Action!

It’s time for the big event! You’ve chosen the ring, prepared the location at the right time, and invited everyone who you wanted to include. Now, you’re ready to put your hard work into action.

Stopping there for a second — if you didn’t put hard work into this proposal event, you might want to rethink it. Spontaneous proposals are exciting, but they don’t show that you value your partner enough to plan the perfect time to “pop the question.” If you don’t value something this important, your partner may begin to wonder if you’ll value things like holidays, birthdays, and other milestones in your marriage. A “yes” can turn into a “no” when they start down that thinking path.

But if you’ve done the legwork, picked the perfect ring (or its faux counterpart), and made plans your partner won’t ever forget, it’s your big day! Stay confident in the knowledge that you prepared for this. You decided in Step 1 that you’re both ready for this next level of your relationship. In Step 2, you showed that you know your partner’s tastes. In Step 3, you planned what you’ll do and say, and who you’ll involve in the event. You’re ready! Go out and get ready to change your social media status from “In a Relationship” to “Engaged”!