How to get engaged and what to plan for

Yay! You want to get engaged to your perfect partner! This is a huge step for you as a couple and it’s definitely a time to celebrate!

But before you pop the question, how do you know what size ring to get? Should you go all out on the engagement ring or rather save your money for a big wedding? What is the average cost of an engagement ring? And does the two months salary rule still apply? What exactly do you need to plan for your engagement?

• The ring;

There is no getting around it. The ring does matter and here is why; An engagement ring is a symbol of your love and commitment. She's going to be wearing the ring every day meaning that this is going to be the single most important piece of jewelry she owns. And naturally, you’ll want to give her something that makes her proud. However, women are reasonable creatures and will love and appreciate the fact that you spent the effort to find the perfect ring. Most women are not looking to bankrupt you with unrealistic requirements. Find out what she likes and see what you can afford, and then take it from there.

• The proposal,

Gone are the days when simply getting down on one knee was enough to snare your dream girl and guarantee a proposal to remember. According to a recent study, one in three women would be disappointed if their partner simply got down on one knee. Brits now spend over £2,000 to ensure the perfect proposal. 40% of women would like to be whisked away on holiday for their proposal. One in ten would like a proposal where their friends and family are in on the act and 11% would like a musical proposal with either their partner writing a song about them or serenading them.

• Documenting the proposal,

You could hire your own “paparazzi” by getting a professional to document the proposal. This will work best if you are planning to propose in a public place, so his/her camera equipment doesn’t raise any suspicion to your prospective fiancé. Alternatively, you could consider planting a hidden camera. Most people prefer to get their friends involved specifically for this purpose.

With all the hype that surrounds engagements these days there is no doubt that the pressure is on to make your proposal special, but the most important thing to remember when planning a proposal is that you and your partner are unique. No one has a love story like yours. Don’t feel pressured to spend thousands trying to copy what you’ve seen in movies. Rather focus on your love and what makes your relationship special. That way you’re guaranteed to make it memorable for both of you for years to come.

But if you find yourself in a situation where you need to get a quick loan, you can read about types of loans and the differences between them before making your final decision.