7 Engagement Rules You Can Toss in 2023

Pop the question, your way

By: Jen Glantz

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Say Yes!

For a lot of couples, taking the next step in their relationship means getting engaged. But when it comes to planning a proposal, there are a lot of traditions, trends, and rules that might seem like they are musts when really, they are optional.

The truth is, there are no requirements when it comes to your engagement and you can make it as special as you’d like. Just take a look at these seven engagement rules that you can toss this year so they no longer hold back how you plan to propose in 2023.

It Has to Be a Secret

While some people crave the mystery and surprise around not knowing when their partner is going to propose, it’s not something that everyone wants or even enjoys.

If your partner has expressed that they don’t want it to be a secret, think of ways you can plan a special night out, activity, or even weekend away to celebrate getting engaged instead of making the moment one big surprise.

Only One Person Picks the Ring

When it comes to jewelry, everyone has their own taste and style. Before you spend quite a lot of money on an engagement ring, find out if your partner wants to make it more of a collaborative experience.

You can ask them to share examples of what they like, head to different stores to try on styles in person, or even have them pick out the exact ring that they love. That way you know it’ll be a piece of jewelry they are excited about for years to come.

It Must Be Over the Top

If you’ve spent too much time browsing social media, you might think that every proposal has to be over-the-top and extremely expensive. But it absolutely doesn’t have to be that way.

Tap into what your partner cares about, enjoys, and would want for their proposal. If they are someone who likes more simple celebrations or intimate moments, don’t ignore that just because you’ve seen elaborate proposals sweep your social media feed.

It’s One-Sided

Who says that only one person can propose? If you and your partner both want to pop the question, plan separate proposals where each person surprises the other with something special. You can do this all within the same day, week, or even month.

There Needs to Be Proof

If you and your partner crave a more intimate proposal, skip out on hiring a camera crew to capture your engagement. You don’t need to take photos or even have video clips of the big moment.

It’s up to you when, if, or how you want to share the news with family or friends and if it’s not with a picture, that’s a decision you get to make.

It Can Only Be Done Once

The truth is, if you have a few proposal ideas in mind, you don’t have to pick just one. You can coordinate multiple proposals to really surprise your partner. Perhaps you do one locally and another during the holiday season or on vacation. That way, you can keep the excitement going before your wedding celebration happens.

You Have to Do it Before You Get Married

If you want to get married, there’s no real rule that you have to get engaged first. If neither you or your partner want to have an engagement or proposal, you can skip all of that and get married whenever you want to. While some people view a proposal or engagement period as a must before marriage, others don’t see the point, and there’s nothing wrong with that either.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 7 Creative Ways to Share the News of Your Engagement, 8 Ways to Make Your Second Wedding Stand Out, 10 Things to Do if Your Wedding Is Less Than 30 Days Away

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