So You have finally decided to propose.
Now another big question pops up “Should I propose before or after dinner?”
When it comes to popping the big question, there is no one right way to do it. We have to consider the uniqueness of every situation and every couple in the brew.
Marriage is a big step. If you have the ring on hand, ready to be given, you know that this is serious. You have probably spent so many nights thinking about how this will all go down. Therefore, you don’t want to make a misstep.
This article focuses on the dinner proposal scenario. So, if you want to conduct your surprise proposal at a restaurant, you will want to read on.
Again, the final decision depends on you. You know your partner better than anyone else. So, you can decide on whether someone does best before proposing or after dinner.
If you ask me, the short, simple answer would be, “before dinner.”
You may wonder why. After all, a marriage proposal feels like the grand finale of the night.
But what would make that night better? It is by proposing marriage before dinner. This way, the rest of the night is an acknowledgment and celebration of the event.
Pros and Cons of a Pre-Dinner Proposal
The perfect proposal is difficult to plan. After all, you will not have a second take at it. Even if you attempt again, the whole thing is ruined if the first try already failed.
Pros
Most people will tell you to present the special moment early. They are right because:
- The rest of the night will be a celebration.
- It will prevent possible delays. What if there is suddenly an emergency?
- You can celebrate with your family and friends afterward while everything is still fresh. Your happy couple’s glow will be dazzling.
- The rest of the evening will be relaxing, instead of you making eye with the waiter to see if he remembers what the plans are.
Cons
Sometimes, though, it is better to propose after the romantic dinner. These are the reasons against doing it before:
- If you ordered an expensive meal, you might not even get to finish it. The dessert may fall by the wayside as both of you try to grapple with the sudden status change.
- It may be a terrible idea if you are not even sure she would say yes. What if she says, “No”? The whole night would be ruined before you even ate.
Would you consider doing it afterward?
Of course, you can do it afterward. If you feel like it is the best scenario for you, given the points above, do it as you think you should. This is, after all, your big moment. Nobody else can tell you the perfect ways to go about it. I am just there to help you brainstorm. When people get nervous, thinking becomes difficult. You need a person from the outside who can give you advice.
Should I propose before or after dinner?
If you are still bothered by this question after the discussion above, it may be a case of nerves. It may also be a matter of conducting proper research and observation.
What would your girlfriend want?
Managing a Restaurant Proposal
Your girlfriend is the most awesome person, and you want to spend the rest of your life with her. Should you do this at a restaurant?
Here are some reasons for sticking to this proposal idea:
- It makes sense if you two are foodies. What better place to make that proposal happen?
- You two have tons of memorable moments at her favorite restaurant.
- A romantic proposal fits right in the restaurant setting.
- It would be easy to get a proposal photographer who can blend in, perhaps seated at a nearby table. A photo shoot can easily be made to happen.
- This is a way to make a public proposal seem a little more intimate.
- The engagement party can easily follow in the same venue if you had already informed family and friends beforehand.
Go to a favorite restaurant instead of the latest trend. Trendy places may come and go. You want to be able to go back to the site years later on an anniversary or two. You can even make it a tradition.
The Approach: How do you make your proposal?
But the proposal itself requires some finesse. Here are some ways in which you can make it work:
Find the Perfect Engagement Ring
The perfect ring does not always have to be expensive. This will all boil down to your intended future wife. What is she like? Find a ring that first her personality. You should also find a way to get her ring finger size without her guessing what you are up to. You may need the help of her family and friends.
A diamond engagement ring will certainly make an impact. It means that you have saved enough for her.
Choose between Public or Intimate Proposals
What type of person is your girlfriend? Going public or private would depend on her personality. Is she happier with a crowd or more comfortable on her own? Of course, some introverted women still prefer a little more recognition from time to time. You need to gauge if she is this type of woman.
Bounce your Marriage Proposal ideas with a Close Friend
Actually, your close friend and one of her own can be part of the plan.
They would not mind being part of the proposal story. Just make sure they can keep a secret.
Talk to the Restaurant Manager about your Plans
The people at the restaurant should be in on the plans. This way, they can help you with the perfect timing. They can help you hide the ring in the wine, a cake, or wherever else you want them to put it. You will be seated right next to your beloved. So, you will not be that mobile. Someone else may have to perform some of the tasks at hand.
Hide the Ring in the Perfect Place
With a waiter in it on the plan, hide the ring in the perfect place. Should it be in the wine? Should it be on the dessert? Make sure she does not end up accidentally swallowing it or ends up biting it.
A safer bet would be to have it served on top of one of the covered dishes. Then, with perfect choreography with the waiter, have it opened right in front of her.
Then, you may find it boring, but simply taking it from your pockets would also do. It will have less flair, but it can be an intimate proposal amid a very public place.
Apply some Perfect Timing
Whatever you plan to do, you must be on the alert. Plan it with the restaurant staff to be safe.
Final Words
The best thing to do is to propose before dinner. This way, you can have all the choreographed tasks done at the beginning of the evening. You can enjoy the rest of your night basking in the glow of her smiles.
Be confident. If you two love each other, there is nothing to worry about. She will appreciate all the effort that you have put into it.
