Speaking as a woman, the key to an effective, romantic proposal is to make it personal to your lady. I’m working on the assumption that the men will be asking the women, and so my genders will go that way.
What one woman finds romantic is not what every woman does. If you and your lady enjoy bicycling, pack a picnic and take a ride into the woods. A sunny spot, and a blanket can be more romantic than a fancy dinner. It all depends on what she’s like, and what the two of you do together.
About that fancy dinner and public proposal, my advice is: don’t. A fancy expensive night out is fine, but don’t propose publicly. It puts her on the spot. The moment should be about the two of you, not the two of you and a room full of strangers all staring at you.
Also, when it comes to the ring, having it already bought is fine, but for goodness sake, listen when your lady talks to you. If she likes the traditional solitaire on a thin gold band, go for it. However, if she likes emeralds more than diamonds, get her an emerald. Or a pear, or an opal. The important thing is to get a ring that she’ll love and be proud to wear, not one that market advertising says she’s supposed to like. Also, it’s okay to take her shopping to pick it out herself. Although some sort of token is nice at the time of proposal.
Finally, do plan you proposal, do make it special, but don’t forget, the marriage continues long after the proposal, so put as much time into planning your life together as in asking her to marry you.
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