Most people are familiar with “wedding season,” the time of year usually beginning in spring and continuing throughout the summer and fall. Some southern states have two seasons when weddings generally occur because it’s too darn hot to have a wedding outside between June and September. So with half the calendar year dedicated to weddings, when is the best time to propose?
Popular Holidays
Three of the most popular holidays for proposals are Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and New Year’s Eve. It’s logical to have proposals during the winter months as it gives the couple ample time to plan their wedding. This is, of course, assuming the bride chooses the next years’ wedding season, giving her at least 13 months to plan – which she may need! A lot of venues fill up that far in advance.
The benefit of proposing on such a holiday is that you’ll never forget the date (we hope), and it can be something you celebrate each year. New Year’s Eve might be the best for this. Let’s face it — once you have a child, NYE is not the exuberant, celebratory party it used to be. An engagement anniversary would give the holiday more meaning. Plus, you could really get into the spirit of the holiday by personalizing sparkling wine bottles or other cute gifts.
Proposing around the holidays will also make it easier to celebrate with all your loved ones. With everyone in town for the holiday season, it will be easy to plan a get together to celebrate your exciting news with friends and family.
Personal “Holiday”
Smaller anniversaries can be a great time to pop the question, too. Perhaps it’s the anniversary of your first date or the first time you professed your love for one another. If you’re both good at remembering small milestones, choosing a day you did something special together will make the proposal that much more thoughtful.
However, be careful of these special dates. Planning something big for a minor anniversary like this can tip off your fiance-to-be. If you are hoping to keep your plans a surprise, be sure to cover your tracks carefully.
You Decide
The best answer, unfortunately, is mostly subjective; it largely depends on your relationship as a couple. For example, if you’re a couple who enjoys going on hikes and you want to incorporate that into your proposal (and you should because incorporating a mutual interest into the proposal makes it memorable and thoughtful), you probably don’t want to be hiking during December. Similarly, if Christmas is your absolute favorite holiday and you are both able to agree on whose family to spend it with, Christmas might be the best time for you as a couple.
In short, there’s no “wrong” time of year to propose as long as it has special significance for you and your partner. And once you pop the question, you’ll, of course, need fun celebratory items, décor, and snazzy announcements. Most importantly, don’t forget to revel in this time and celebrate with those around you.
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