Skip to content
Search
Subscribe to our newsletter
Cuisine Noir logo
Donate
Donate
Donate Monthly
Donate Monthly
  • Food & Drink
  • Climate + Food
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • News
    • Food News
    • Drink News
    • Travel News
  • Recipes
Cuisine Noir logo
  • Food & Drink
  • Climate + Food
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • News
    • Food News
    • Drink News
    • Travel News
  • Recipes
Donate
Donate
Donate Monthly
Donate Monthly
  • Food & Drink
  • Climate + Food
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • News
    • Food News
    • Drink News
    • Travel News
  • Recipes
Cuisine Noir logo
  • Food & Drink
  • Climate + Food
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • News
    • Food News
    • Drink News
    • Travel News
  • Recipes
Donate
Donate
Donate Monthly
Donate Monthly
Lifestyle

Wedding Proposal Etiquette

By Tina Hayes
/
March 31, 2011
       
Engagement Proposal
Photo credit: Rawpixel
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The wedding proposal is one of the special “happenings” in a couple’s life that will be forever remembered.  If you conducted a survey with married couples to inquire about their engagement, it is likely that each couple would recall the event, even down to the minute details of the marriage proposal.

The “story book” proposal involves romance and creativity and will create a fond memory that will last a lifetime.

Here are a few tips to make the proposal one to remember:

The Surprise Element.  The proposal should be a surprise, however prior discussions about your marriage should have occurred.

Tailor the occasion to correlate to her style and what would make her most comfortable and blissful.  Even though you as the groom have done all the planning and creativity surrounding the proposal, keep in mind her taste and personality.  Will she prefer an elaborate approach or simplistic flair?

Adhere to tradition by informing her parents of your intentions. This is a show of respect.  Hopefully, you have established a positive relationship and will receive their blessings.

The proposal should include a ring.  If you are unsure of her ring size and taste, make sure your purchase is with a reputable jeweler that allows exchanges.

There needs to be some degree of formality involved in the proposal. Regardless of the flair surrounding the proposal, intrigue her by dropping to one knee and asking “Will you marry me?”  Then, don’t forget to tell her why you want to marry her.

Keep the proposal intimate and private. I highly advise this.  How embarrassing it would be to have your proposal rejected in front of others. Do not make her uncomfortable by putting her on the spot to respond immediately and positively.  Marriage is a lifelong commitment and just because the relationship is great, it doesn’t mean she is ready at that moment.  Also, don’t be offended if she asks for time to consider the proposal.  Some women prefer to contemplate extremely important decisions.  Keep in mind that you have taken much time and consideration before proposing; therefore give her that same consideration.

The proposal is the beginning of many lasting memories of a couple.  Your story may be passed down from generation to generation.  During anniversary celebrations, how exhilarating it would be to reminisce or share your experience with family and close friends.

Trending Stories

  • Collard greens in a bowl
    CookingThe Secrets of Cooking Collard Greens Without Meat
  • Homesteading - Farmer or homesteader hands carrying food
    Climate + FoodCultivating Freedom Through Homesteading: Tips to Get Started and Reconnected
  • Omowale Enoch, founder of MOE's Delicacies in Canada
    Food & Drink, West African CuisineByBlacks Restaurant Week Returns With More Restaurants in Canada Showcasing Cultural Diversity
  • Wellness entrepreneur Dreka Gates
    Food & DrinkHow a Small Family Farm Became Wellness Entrepreneur Dreka Gates’s Oasis

Subscribe

Subscribe to The Weekly Dish and get the week’s top food stories delivered to our inbox each Thursday.


    Diaspora Food Stories Podcast

    Listen to global chefs, winemakers, farmers and more tell their stories in their own words.
    Listen to the Podcast

    Support Award-Winning Journalism

    Help Cuisine Noir deliver stories that honor Black food history, culture and traditions.

    Donate
    Donate on Paypal

    Related Articles

    Loading...
    Little girl going on Halloween for trick or treat
    Lifestyle

    Halloween Etiquette

    Fan sportsmanship
    Lifestyle

    Etiquette for Fan Sportsmanship

    Family gathering for a reunion or cookout
    Lifestyle

    6 Family Reunion Etiquette Tips for Spending Quality Time with Relatives

    Cuisine Noir is an award-winning lifestyle media outlet dedicated to providing culturally-rich and factually reported stories that connect the African diaspora through food, drink and travel and celebrate Black food cultures.

    Facebook Instagram Pinterest Youtube

    About

    Our History
    Our Team
    Content Integrity
    Advertise with Us
    Photography Use
    Affiliate Links
    Donate to Our Work
    Privacy

    Subscribe

    Subscribe to The Weekly Dish to have award-winning food journalism delivered to your inbox each Thursday.


      Copyright© 2025 Cuisine Noir and The Global Food and Drink Initiative.
      Site by ACS Digital