How To Plan Your Summer Proposal

You’re ready to take the next step with your significant other and spend the rest of your lives together. You want to plan a romantic and special proposal for your partner, and one of the best times to do that is in the summer. Warmer weather gives you more possibilities to plan a personal way to ask for your significant other’s hand in marriage — but first, you need to know how to plan your summer proposal.

Once you find the perfect ring to help you pop the question, it’s time to think about an ideal setting and way to propose. Consider these summer proposal tips to help you ask that big question.

1. GO OUTSIDE

Not sure where to propose in the summer? Nicer weather means the great outdoors is the perfect backdrop for your proposal. Lush greenery and other scenic landscapes will make your proposal feel like it’s right out of a fairy tale, so consider popping the question at:

• The beach
• A park
• A scenic waterfall
• The top of a mountain’s peak after a hike

Plan a day trip or surprise your significant other with a random visit to one of these outdoor locations. Just make sure you’re both dressed right for the setting. You can always dress up for the engagement photos after the proposal, and maybe even return to the scenic outdoor location where you proposed.

2. TRAVEL SOMEWHERE

Read – How to Plan Your Summer Proposal

Vacations in the summer give you and your significant other the opportunity to travel — and they give you the chance to plan a summer proposal somewhere special. For the most romantic or personal summer proposal ideas, consider traveling:

• Somewhere you both have always wanted to go.
• Somewhere you both love.
• Where your friends and family live.
• To a classic romantic destination.

Whether you take a camping trip right outside of town or hop on a plane to Paris, don’t feel like you have to stay in place when planning a summer proposal. Just remember to do as much pre-planning as possible for destination proposals since you won’t be there long. Your significant other may begin to wonder if your trip is for a proposal as you plan, but do your best to keep it a surprise — and don’t forget to pack the ring!

READ: 10 Benefits of a Golf Course Wedding Venue

3. USE NATURAL LIGHT

Summer is known for its gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, so scope out your location and find the best spot to take advantage of the natural light. Beaches and the peaks of hills or mountains will get you the best views and lighting, but almost any area that isn’t too densely covered with forest will let you take advantage of natural light.

When you plan a summer proposal, think about asking at a certain time of day during sunrise, sunset or the golden hour of light. The golden hour is the best time to take photos, thanks to its romantic, beautiful glow. Here are some ideas to help you decide when to propose:

Not long after sunrise if you’re both morning people and want the morning golden hour of light.
Before sunset to take advantage of the evening golden hour and take pictures during the sunset afterward.
Right when the sun starts to set in a well-lit area to continue taking photos after you propose.
If you want to have the best natural lighting for your proposal, check for specific weather conditions. A bit of cloud coverage is good, as it gives the sunlight something to reflect on and shine through for a beautiful sky. You also want to make sure it isn’t supposed to rain that day.

And of course, you’ll want to know the exact time of the sunrise or sunset, so you can plan your proposal and time it just right with the lighting.

4. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN

Summer comes with unexpected storms sometimes, so make sure your summer proposal ideas include a backup plan in case of unfavorable conditions. To make that plan, be sure to:

• Check the weather leading up to the day you plan to propose, so you can adjust accordingly.
• Reschedule your outing if the date of your proposal is flexible.
• Choose an outdoor location with gazebos, pavilions and other covered areas in case of rain.

A proposal in the rain can be romantic, but it’s not for everyone. Keep an eye on the weather leading up to your proposal, and if you’re traveling, research when the best summer weather conditions are in that location to pick the best time. You may want to plan a trip that spans a few days to a week, so you have days to choose from if the weather turns rainy or cloudy one day.

READ: The Ultimate Guide to Micro Weddings

5. GET CREATIVE

With the setting for your proposal in mind, it’s time to get a bit creative. You want to pop the question in a special or even a unique way to give you and your significant other a fun proposal story to tell for the rest of your lives. Consider these possible summer proposal ideas:

• Take a ride on a small paddle boat, sailboat or rowboat, then propose surrounded by the romantic and peaceful scenery.
• Visit a summer carnival and propose at the top of the Ferris wheel at nighttime surrounded by the colorful lights.
• Propose in a photo booth for a classic proposal idea that captures the moment of surprise on your partner’s face.
• Go to a fireworks display, then propose under the glow of the lit-up night sky.

Have close friends and family in on the surprise at a backyard barbecue, so they can snap photos or take videos as you propose.

Remember to plan a summer proposal that reflects your relationship or your partner’s interests. Think about your first date or activities and places you enjoy together to give your proposal a personal and romantic touch.