An inspired proposal makes a great lifelong memory and begins your amazing wedding adventure. When it comes to asking for a hand in marriage, getting down on bended knee is “so yesterday.” Popping the question is a creative endeavor; airplane banners, billboards, radio dedications, webcasts, television commercials, and even scavenger hunts are the new norm. However, traditionalists need not be intimidated. Heartfelt words, poems, and love letters never go out of style.

Who Should Ask?

My boyfriend has hinted that he wants to get married, and he's even been ring shopping, but he still has not proposed. Can I propose to him? You can certainly propose to him. Just be prepared; if he is a traditionalist, it may take him some time to adjust to the role reversal. Ultimately you know your fiancé well enough to anticipate his reaction, and if you are comfortable and confident with popping the question yourself, go for it! However, if you think he has been ring shopping, he may already have some plans in the works, so your patience may pay off.

Permission, Please

My fiancé and I agreed to get married before talking it over with my parents. Will they be upset that he didn't consult them before proposing? In this day and age it is highly unusual for parents to frown on a man's failure to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage. However, you know your parents better than anyone else, and if they are the traditional type, you may have some explaining to do. Generally if your parents are informed of the engagement promptly after the proposal, there should be no hard feelings.