How do you know it’s time to go out and buy that diamond ring and pop the question? Be aware of the subtle hints she’s giving you and these five signs that she’s waiting for you to propose.
If you’ve been in a relationship for quite some time, you may be starting to think it’s time to take things to the next level.
But how do you know that your girlfriend is ready to commit? After all, there’s nothing more of a relationship killer than making a proposal that is turned down.
Statistics may not be on your side either – it’s a common belief that men are more reluctant to commit, but studies show that men actually fall in love faster and crave long-term relationships just as much as women.
Did your girlfriend show a bordering-on-unhealthy interest in the royal wedding? Does she spend her weekends watching Four Weddings and a Funeral on repeat? Does she show you photos of Facebook of her friends from school and her distant cousins getting married?
If she’s showing signs of “wedding fever” or constantly talking about so-and-so who just got engaged or is planning her wedding, it’s a good sign that she’s actually thinking of her own wedding.
If she favours a particular celebrity, pay attention. You can get some good ideas for an engagement ring by following the styles that are popular with the people she follows.
When you reach a certain age, it can feel like you’re attending a friend’s wedding every other month. If this is the case, your girlfriend is sure to have noticed too and may well have started wondering when it’s going to be her turn.See how she reacts to receiving wedding invitations and seeing other people’s engagement notifications on social media. If she regularly brings it up, it’s a good sign that it’s on her mind.
Your significant other’s Pinterest account is not only a great place to get a sneak peek on what she’s interested in at the moment but also gives you an insight into her personal style and taste. This will come in very handy if you want to surprise her with a ring and need a little help choosing the perfect design!
Some women start wedding planning before they’ve even had a proposal, by creating specific Pinterest boards with images of wedding decorations and reception locations, wedding and bridesmaid dresses, and engagement ring trends. If your girlfriend has already got a head start on her planning, you might need to start planning which ring you’re going to buy too! Find out our Pinterest account.
Keep an eye on her other social media accounts too – she might have joined a Facebook group for brides-to-be or may be following wedding planners and decorators on Instagram.
One sure-fire way to know that your girlfriend is thinking about your future life as a married couple is that she’ll bring future scenarios up in conversation.
She might ask you how many children you see yourself having, talk about buying a house together, or invite you into her daydreams about exotic honeymoon locations.
This future planning is a natural way to show it’s time to really commit and take the next step in your relationship. You can use this as an opportunity to make sure you share the same values and make important life decisions that you’ll want to agree on before you vow to spend the rest of your lives together.
If your girlfriend is waiting for you to propose, it’s almost certain she’s started dreaming about her engagement ring too.If she lingers outside jewellery shop windows when you’re out shopping together, asks to pop into the shop quickly “just for a look”, or makes comments about what ring styles she likes, she’s most likely dropping a huge hint that she wants you to propose.
Browsing jewellery shops online is another big clue that she’s daydreaming about the perfect proposal. She might sign up to jewelers’ mailing lists or follow them on social media too.
Look out for jewellery catalogs arriving in the post – particularly if she starts circling particular ring designs!
If her family has started asking you when you’re going to tie the knot, or her recently married friends are joking about you being next, this could mean that she’s been talking to them about wanting to get engaged.
If you’re close with her friends and family, you could also float the idea around that a proposal might be in the near future and see how they react.
Friends and family are also a great resource once you’ve decided to propose and you just need to nail down exactly how you’re going to do it and what ring you’re going to get. They might already have a good idea of her personal style and preferences, or they can sneakily ask her in a way that’s less obvious than you doing it yourself.
If reading these hints sounds familiar to you, there’s a good chance your girlfriend is waiting for you to propose.If you’re not 100% sure, you could start dropping some hints of your own. Asking your girlfriend what kinds of rings she likes, or where she’d like to go on a honeymoon after your eventual wedding will give you a better idea if she’s really thinking about marriage, and you’ll know exactly what kind of ring to surprise her with too.
Once you know your girlfriend is ready and waiting, you can pick out an engagement ring and start planning your proposal. With the knowledge that your girlfriend is ready to commit, you’ll feel more confident when you propose, and you can simply start looking forward to the rest of your life together.
