7 Essential Steps for The Perfect Proposal

Asking her parents for her hand is an honourable gesture and calls for a touch of ceremony. You are receiving the baton. Be sure to prepare a rocking speech that covers the following...

• The qualities you love most about her. Express you gratitude and credit them for raising your Wonder Woman

• State that you'd like her hand in marriage and would like their blessing.

• Reassure that you'll spend your life taking care of her.

While the attendance of family and friends may feel romantic, their presence is more likely to pressure her into mandated PDA.

However, if your game plan behind inviting them is to guarantee a 'yes' there's a good chance you're barking up the wrong tree?

Our advice: "Save it for the honeymoon!"

Hold back on the funny story and for the adrenaline junkies, save the skydive for another day. Definitely avoid placing the ring in food or dropping it into champagne - she's going to feel like a clutz trying to fish the ring out and the only thing you're guaranteed of is a sticky mess.

If you're going to choke her up, let it be with tears rather than a ring down her throat!

Make her fairytale come true by working in thoughtful personal touches that reflect your journey together...

• Return to special places you've visited together.
• Use items that hold sentimental value for both of you.
• Add favorite flowers, your song or a poem she loves.
  
  Super important: "Remember to spruce yourself up too!"

In this causal day and age, getting down on one knee is (i) novel (ii) it's gallant and (iii) she will absolutely love it! Be prepared with a tribute of well-chosen words. This moment will forever be remembered and cherished by you both!

Things to say :

• Tell her why you love her and all the reasons she's your soulmate
• Paint a picture of your dreams and shared future together.
• Don't forget to ask the big question "Will you marry me?"

Important note: "Even if your first date ended in a cheesy motel with fake flowers, do not allow fakes anywhere near your proposal, if you know what's good for your relationship, on no account give her fake flowers - ever!"

However, every girl needs to look her best for the biggest moment in her romantic life. Without letting the cat out the bag, it is your job to make sure her hair and nails are immaculate. Don't hesitate to enlist the help of besties and moms for an orchestrated girls' day out(on you, of course). Trust us, she'll thank you later!

One more thing, consider engaging the services of a professional photographer to discreetly mark this moment. Later on, you can relive the magical moments and share it with friends and family.

What is certain is that they do not want to be dragged off to a jewellery store. Though this may seem ideal from where you're standing, it places a great burden on her shoulders. What size diamond? What can he afford? How to not come off as demanding or greedy? And just like that, the shopping trip is now about you and not her.

The bottom line is, if she's obsessed with a particular design, you'll know about it. If you don't, once again call on your village for advice. If they don't know either, this is your cue to go ahead and choose the ring yourself. Exercise your judgement which, she obviously trusts if she hasn't been dropping major hints. Clearly what she really wants is for you to make the decision. After all, the ring is a reflection of your love and what you feel for her.

You might well be a progressive couple that discusses financial matters; however, this is absolutely not the time for that. Reserve these discussions for taxes and mortgage payments. Matters of the heart a.k.a your engagement ring budget is strictly for your eyes only.

The cardinal rule of ring budgets is that you should plan to spend the equivalent of three months' salary.

Not only does buying a lab grown diamond deprive her of bragging rights, counterfeits are just bad karma. Always go in for a real diamond. Any other stone or colour will cast doubt that she's actually engaged, so don't compromise.

That's why at Browns we only offer 100% Natural Diamonds because real is rare.

Where did he get the ring? Help her hold her head high and let her stand tall. Always propose with a ring and a box you can both be proud of.

In a world full of fakes and inferior jewellery, the box immediately reassures her that the ring she's wearing for the rest of her life is real and precious. The right box means she can relax. Beware the box that comes from a jeweller that keeps both a lab grown and real diamonds. This muddles the water and will always make her wonder what she has on her finger?

The perfect engagement ring presented in the perfect box improves a girl's posture for life.