Proposing to your man
We all know that sometimes despite all the hints you may drop, men can just be slow on the uptake. So why not give him a well deserved shove in the right direction by proposing to you man.
Women proposing traditionally happens on leap years. But leap year or not, around 9% of proposals are from women to men, and if you are thinking of proposing then you are pretty confident of getting a Yes! in reply. More ladies do it than you think - Take your cue from some on screen girl-to-guy proposals, such as Monica to Chandler in Friends (well, untill he took over as she couldn't stop crying), or Miranda to Steve in Sex & the City.
If you are thinking about it then you are obviously not affected by tradition or culture that has preconceptions on how things should be done. Why wait for the guy to make the move when you could equally do it. Having thought about proposing to him will have made you think hard about what it is important to you as a couple, your relationship and whether getting married is right for you. Deciding to get married is a big decision, and many of the guys we meet at CRED are daunted by the proposal process, which I imagine will still be the same when done the other way around. 
If you are serious about your relationship and want to be a partnership, then here are some of our top tips for proposing to him:
- Men may not have been dreaming of this moment forever, so there is no pressure to make it a big fairy-tale gesture. He will be excited by the fact you proposed. Just tell him what's on your mind over a walk in the park or other relaxed moment so you don't make him choke on his beer in the shock.
- If you do want to make it a big deal, make it quirky. If there is already a height difference going down on one knee just isn't practical, and might rip your tights... so go for the fun factor - a treasure hunt with clues, or the gift of a big photo of you holding a 'Will you marry me?' sign.
- Make it personal - by incorporating some of his fave things into the occasion, such as his favourite band, eatery or a place that will bring back all the happy memories in the future.
- Make a day of it. Do something you both love for the day. Having a whole day together will bring you closer together and by the end of the day it will feel right deciding to spend the rest of our lives together. Just make sure you don't get over-tired or hungry as that may cause cracks in a lovely day!
If he turns you down quoting the need for tradition, then remind him that tradition also states that if a man turns down a proposal he has to pay a fine - so basically take you shopping... A Win:Win situation!
What about the ring?
It probably isn't the done thing to buy yourself a ring and propose to him with it. If you are proposing to him, then that raises the question of whether to have a ring to propose to him with. There are three options:
Engagement ring for him: He will proably not be after a flashy diamond, but perhaps a 'man-gagement' ring that is more detailed than a wedding ring could be used as a special occasion ring. A ring engraved with a pattern or with different finishes for detail would suit a guys engagement ring.
An alternative to a ring: Such as a wristband or bracelet, a pendant chain can be something he would wear daily as an alternative mens engagement ring idea.
No ring: If it is a sponaneous-style proposal then you may not have a ring, but that may add to the romance of the situation. 'Let's get married' can make for an exciting on-a-whim style day. Just make sure you are serious before asking... Many of the CRED engagement rings are bought by couples together after a proposal, so they get to choose together. Just because you propose, doesn't mean you don't get a ring.
So unless he is the kinda guy who wants a big rock to show off to his friends, here are some options for his engagement 'ring':
