Brilliant Proposals

Making a romantic proposal.

Every man, like you, who is about to propose to the woman he loves wants to make it a truly special moment – a moment you'll both remember forever. Getting it just right may seem to you like a formidable task, but it's really not that difficult.

Be prepared with the diamond she's dreamed of.

Hopefully, before you make your proposal, you've learned all about diamonds – from the 4Cs to certification – so you can choose the most beautiful diamond you can afford and know you've made a wise choice. (If not, hold it right here and go back and do your homework!) You've also, presumably, found a retailer you can trust, who'll give you confidence in your diamond buying decision and provide excellent service.

That was the easy part, now for the difficult decision: choosing the diamond that tells her how much you love her and literally takes her breath away.

If you're a couple that approaches all decisions together, then you could walk through a jewelry store together and let her express her own feelings about different diamonds and diamond shapes. Or let her page through magazines with diamond ads and show you which diamonds appeal to her.

However, if you want the whole proposal to be a complete surprise – and a good surprise -- here are some undercover approaches to figuring out which diamond engagement ring will bring about the desired effect:

• Ask her family and friends what they think would appeal to her

• Take note if she comments on a friend's diamond or a diamond she's seen in an ad

• Consider her style. Does she dress in an understated or traditional manner? Or, does she project a more flamboyant image? Learn about diamond shapes to see which shapes appeal to different women.

• Look at her other jewelry: does she prefer simple design or more elaborate pieces? Her preferences will help you determine what style of setting she'd like best.

• Notice what metal is her metal of choice? If all her jewelry is silver, she would probably like a diamond set in platinum or white gold, rather than yellow gold.

• Exceed her expectations! This is no time for holding back if you really want to make her happy.

Next step, figure out her ring size! Remember that a woman's ring size is different for each finger. If she leaves her rings lying around, make an impression in a bar of soap or trace the inside of the ring on a piece of paper. You might try one of her rings on yourself – push it down as far as you can on your own finger, then mark the spot with a pen. Head straight for the jeweler and let him measure it for you. Her friends may be able to help you out by asking her for her ring size or trying on one of her rings to compare it to their own. Best of all, sneak one of her rings into your pocket and show it to a jeweler…if you can pull it off without arousing suspicion.

Know your bride before you decide.

Do you know your bride-to-be very well? Of course, you do. So, stop a minute and think about what makes her truly happy. If she loves to laugh more than anything else, then a proposal with a sense of humor may be the best road to take. If she's hopelessly romantic, then you'll need to take the stage for a real tear-jerker. If she prefers intimacy, then a one-on-one proposal will be in order. If, on the other hand, being the center of attention thrills her, then a more public proposal will truly win her heart.

Next, think about setting the scene in a place that has meaning for both of you. It could be just about anywhere from the location of your first date – a restaurant, an amusement park, a beach, an art gallery or even movie theater – to a place you've both always wanted to go, such as a city in Europe or high in the sky in a hot air balloon. If the place holds wonderful memories – or promises to - then you could plan your proposal there.

Speak from your heart.

Wherever you propose, and however you do it, remember it doesn't have to cost a lot to win her heart. You could rent your favorite movie, watch it at home, and give her a bowl of popcorn with a diamond ring in it – or you could rent a three-piece band to serenade her with your favorite song. The most important part, however, is to voice your proposal with love, sincerity and appreciation for how much she means to you.

Be creative - here are some proposal ideas to get you thinking.

Good fortune…

For the fun at heart, how about a fortune cookie that says, “I'll love you forever, will you marry me?” Or better yet, a fortune cookie with a diamond ring inside? This is an easy proposal to pull off. You can order fortune cookies – or even jumbo fortune cookies – online with a personalized message. Even easier, buy a fortune cookie, wrap it in a damp paper towel and microwave on high for 30 seconds. The cookie will soften and open up, so that you can insert your message or diamond in side. Remold it fast, and let it cool. Arrange ahead for the waiter to bring it to your table or cook your own Chinese dinner and serve it for dessert.

Give her a clear sign…

Giant banners are easy to come by at any of the big chain stores that specialize in copying, printing and graphic design. Have the store print up a whole bunch of banners with your proposal on them, and then hang them all over town. It's a sure way to tell her – and everyone who knows her – how much she means to you.

Stars in her eyes…

For the traditional romantic, there's nothing like wine, roses, bended knee and a starry night for a very personal proposal. But it's not always a starry night…and besides, that's a little ordinary. So, here's twist on tradition. At most children's stores, you can buy glow-in-the-dark stars that will turn any room into a romantic, starlit night. Arrange the stars on the ceiling to create your “Will you marry me?” proposal. Then, turn off the lights, and take it from there!

Speechless…

If you have a hard time with sentimental words, find another way to do the talking :

• Write her a proposal poem, and ask her to read it out loud
• Compose a personalized song and hire someone to sing it for you
• Take out an ad at the movies and watch her surprise when your picture and message appear on the big screen (pose for the shot on bended knee)
• Buy a box of her favorite chocolates and replace one with a diamond engagement ring
• Make a videotaped proposal and pop it in the VCR at the appropriate time

Or, just be yourself.

If you're not into the creative approach, a simple statement of enduring love and a desire to be with her forever – through thick and thin – will undoubtedly do the trick! So, stop worrying and just present her with the diamond of her dreams.