by Kelly Sharp

Created on: August 26, 2010

Deciding to propose was the easy part; now the pressure is on to create a proposal that she will remember, and talk about, for the rest of her life.

Many women spend their childhoods dreaming up their perfect day and they expect their man to come up with a proposal to match.  So what is a poor guy to do? Where should he start?  And how can he create a special proposal to start the process toward The Wedding Day?

Rather than panic, potential grooms should think of a proposal as a time to demonstrate that he knows his bride and can create something special that she will enjoy. This means paying less attention to what others think of as romantic and instead asking what defines romance to her. An added benefit is that this shows he pays attention to what she likes, which most women find highly romantic.

For some, romance means recreating a special date or time in their shared past.  For this couple, a proposal at the site of the first kiss, or the restaurant where they went for their first date would be perfect. Another option is proposing on the anniversary of the first meeting, first date or first “I love you,” showing that he remembers the dates that are important to her.

Those who are more outdoorsy may prefer a setting reminiscent of a place they have wanted to visit or have been to in the past.  A walk on the beach, trip to a cabin in the mountains, or even a picnic in the woods are ideal locations for setting the scene. Add a picnic basket with a bottle of wine or champagne and let the natural beauty of the area provide the background for the proposal.

Couples who are more adventurous may want something a bit more exciting to mark their special occasion. For them, a balloon ride, skydiving adventure or Zip line may add that romantic spark to get romance in the air. While the logistics may be a bit more complicated in an adventure proposal many companies are more than happy to help coordinate the event.

For many an anxious groom, the idea of creating an ideal setting for a proposal can be intimidating. The important thing to realize is that regardless of which option he picks, the most passionate thing he can do is to show his soon-to-be fiancée that he knows her well enough to know what she wants. This may mean a bit of extra work, while he tries to discover what she thinks of when she thinks “romantic,” but it will pay off in the end when he gets that enthusiastic “Yes!”

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