Photo credit: © Petronella Photography http://bypetronella.com

At The Heart Bandits wedding proposal planners we have assisted more than 1,000 clients propose to their partners and we can assure you that virtually everyone who has ever proposed gets nervous.  It is completely normal!  It not only takes guts to do, it is a huge life-changing event that will alter everything to come.

Here are some helpful tips when you’re dealing with pre-engagement jitters that will help get you back on your game.

Knowing is Half the Battle

Many people are afraid that their partner will turn them down when they propose and so they end up having severe anxiety about popping the question.  Yet, most likely, if they’ve been in a committed and loving relationship for a good amount of time, the odds are overwhelming that their partner will say yes. People forget that they know their partner better than anyone – if you’ve spoken about marriage before and you know they are receptive to the idea of it, it’s well-worth it to take that next step, especially if your relationship is running smoothly.

Talk it Over

If you’re still not sure about whether it’s a good idea to propose – talking it over is a good way to alleviate some of that anxiety.  It doesn’t have to be a direct conversation about marriage in order to gauge your partner’s receptiveness to taking the next step, but it can be if that’s what you need to get over your fear. Another option is talking with people your partner is closest to and asking whether they think your partner would be open to a marriage proposal.  Just know that if you bring up the topic of marriage to people your partner is close with, they may mention it to your partner.  You can ask for discretion, but you may end up tipping your hand earlier than you’d planned so be ready just in case.

Alleviate the Stress

Perhaps it isn’t that you’re worried your partner will say no, but that you won’t plan your proposal right and mess something up.  This fear is quite common and easily avoidable especially if you have enough time to iron out all the details.  Think about the type of proposal your partner would want and then plan accordingly.  If you aren’t sure, or really aren’t ready to deal with the stress of planning a proposal, consider hiring a proposal planning service and get help from proposal experts like those at The Heart Bandits.  They have the experience that you can trust, and will make the process easy, handling all of the details so you can avoid the anxiety and ditch the stress.

Think About The Details

One thing clients don’t seem to think about until the last minute is how they will hide the bulky engagement ring box on the day of.  Instead of adding another thing to be stressed about, opt for a thin engagement ring box from www.ringstash.com. The slim design easily allows for the ring to be hidden, and your partner won’t suspect an imminent proposal until you’re ready to pop the question.

Christina Clawson