(NAPSA)-It has been estimated that 85 percent of women were disappointed with the way their husbands or fiancés proposed. Fortunately, if you're one of the 2.3 million men who are going to propose this year, it can be easier than you think to avoid disappointment.
Wedding planner Angie Bloom Hewitt of TLC's "For Better Or For Worse" offers some simple tips for a practically perfect proposal:
• Make A Plan - Keep in mind that she will be telling this story for the rest of her life, and you want her to be proud of it. So think through all the details of when, where and how.
• Match Her Personality - Match her personality and her interests with the proposal, not yours. If she's shy and private, don't propose in public.
Just because you are a sports fan doesn't mean she wants a proposal at the big game. If she loves board games, use Scrabble letters to spell out "Will you marry me?" If she loves scuba diving, write "Will you marry me?" on your diver's slate and propose underwater. If she loves mysteries, send her on a treasure hunt with you on your knees at the end. In general, remember the proposal is about showing her you understand her, care for her and want to be committed to her forever.
• Pick The Right Ring - Just as she will be telling the story of how you proposed, she'll be showing and wearing her engagement ring forever. For a lot of men, picking out the perfect ring causes a lot of anxiety, but honestly, it is easy if you enlist the right help.
• Don't Hide The Ring In Food - While you may be tempted to hide the engagement ring in food, there are three good reasons not to do so. First, it is passé - done and overdone. Second, it poses hazards, from choking to teeth cracking. Finally, you've just picked out a beautiful, sparkling ring. You want to dazzle her when she first sees it.
• Videotape the Proposal - If possible, capture the proposal on videotape. She will likely be so emotional that many of the event's details will slip by her. Videotaping is a great way to save the memories for posterity. And, a videotaped proposal can be easily incorporated into the wedding reception, rehearsal dinner events or even your wedding video.
With these tips, you can make sure her special day is truly one of the happiest days of her life-and yours.
