When planning the perfect proposal, most jump straight into planning the proposal itself before considering many of the more practical aspects of the partnership… like whether or not this is the best time to purchase the perfect ring, or the right partner to purchase it for!

Before you pose that most-important-of-all-questions, here are a few details you may want to consider:

1) Is this someone you want to wake up to every day for the rest of your life?

A simple question, and the one you should always start with! Yet many people don’t pause to ask themselves this question before a proposal. Instead, people may propose because they feel they may lose their partner, or because all of their friends are getting married, or because it seems like the honorable thing to do.

We cannot choose the families of our birth, but we can choose the people we make our married lives with. Be sure this is someone you want to have in your life forever.  And be sure they feel the same way!  Not sure? Ask.

2) Do you share the same goals and values?

If she wants to backpack around Peru for a year and you want to put your life’s savings into building an independent restaurant business, you should know that before you propose. Are your goals and values compatible? Can you each achieve everything you want in life… together?

3) Should YOU pick the engagement ring?

Different partners want different things. Most enjoy being surprised by a ring picked with love and care by their future partner, but others feel that it is such an important and permanent decision that they want to be in on the designing and purchasing process from the beginning.

At the very least, we recommend browsing through your favorite trusted jewelry store before you propose. This is also a good opportunity to ask your partner questions about what you both envision for your future life together.

4) How are you going to pay for the ring?

Buying an engagement ring will likely be the second biggest purchase you’ve made in your life up to this point (the largest, until now, was probably your car).  Some take on a second job or freelancing work. Others pick up extra hours and work later shifts. Still others may inherit a ring or stone from within the family. Before you propose, you should know how you are going to purchase the ring and what type of ring your future spouse expects.

For those too anxious to wait, James Free Jewelers offers a generous no-interest financing option of up to 12 months to approved customers.  If you want to get engaged this year instead of next, this can be a wonderful option.

5) What will you do if she says no? Or doesn’t like the ring?

First, if you aren’t 100% sure the partner of your dreams will answer “yes” to this question, it probably isn’t the right time.

If they say no, it doesn’t necessarily mean the relationship is over, but it’s a good indication that the two of you should spend some time discussing your relationship and whether or not you both see yourselves together in the future.

At James Free Jewelers, we want you to be thrilled with your diamond – not stuck with it. That’s why we offer a 30-day money back guarantee. So if she says no… or if she simply isn’t thrilled with the diamond, we will be more than happy to accept the item and provide a full refund. This is a guarantee that you won’t be offered from a dealer who doesn’t own the diamond they’re selling, so be cautious when making that first ring purchase.