You’re ready to get engaged and want your partner to be the one to propose. Only, you don’t know how to tell them. Well, you’re not alone.
A 2020 survey from WeddingWire and Betches Brides found that 60% of respondents who were ready to get engaged were explicitly hinting about it to their partner on a weekly or monthly basis. 72% of respondents had also directly discussed getting married with their partner, and more than 30% said they planned to drop hints over 15 times before landing a proposal.
Proposals shouldn’t necessarily be a huge surprise, as it’s important for couples to speak about their futures together and what each person wants and needs from the relationship. Nevertheless, it can still be fun for the exact timing of a proposal to be less certain.
So what does all this hinting look like? Experts across the Internet weighed in. If you’re sure your partner is the one, but not quite sure how to tell them you’re ready, these five ways to hint could help.
Be Open and Honest About the Future
According to The Knot, one of the best ways to prepare your partner to propose is to have regular and honest conversations about what your future might look like together. Even if you don’t talk about marriage directly, conversations about finances and other big topics will help you and your partner find out if you’re on the same page. If you are, it could empower your partner to feel ready for the next step.
Whisk your Partner Away on a Romantic Trip
Joele Amster, MS, a registered marriage and family therapist intern, told Wedding Wire that a special trip together is a great way to remind your partner how much they love spending time with you. “Getting away from the usual routine of daily life gives you some special time to connect both physically and mentally,” Amster explained.
Talk About Rings
If you and your partner have openly discussed marriage in the past, then sharing ring preferences with them shouldn’t be too big of a shock. Hitched suggests getting the ball rolling by sharing a photo of a friend’s ring and telling your partner what you do and don’t like about it.
If you plan to get your partner a ring as well, you can also start the conversation by asking about their preferences.
Watch Romantic Movies Together
A recent survey from OnePoll, conducted on behalf of De Beers, found that one of the most common ways Americans hint that they are ready for marriage is by playing movies or tv shows about weddings. This could mean romantic films or even reality shows like “Say Yes to the Dress.” Watching these programs together could get the conversation started.
Just Propose!
Remember that there are absolutely no rules when it comes to getting engaged. You can propose to your partner if you think you are both ready to tie the knot. And with double proposals becoming more and more common, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, it may be a surefire way to get your partner to propose right back.
