Whether you are high school sweethearts, met through mutual friends, both swiped right, or met in a bar, you have found love! And it is time to make it last forever. But, we all know that popping the big question can be a major undertaking. So, to make sure that this moment runs as smooth as possible, here a few things to do before popping the big question!

MAKE SURE YOU BOTH ARE ON THE SAME PAGE

Have you found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with? This bit of information may seem obvious but before you start planning to pop the question, you want to make sure marriage is on both of your minds. Have that talk about the future. Let them know that one day you would like to be married and ask if they see marriage in their future as well. If you are nervous that this conversation seems like a roundabout proposal, you could keep it broad and mention a best friend’s recent engagement and lead into that way. It may be a difficult conversation to have but hopefully you will walk away from it with a good idea of what your partner will say when you open that ring box!

HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEIR PARENTS

This may seem like an old school thing to do but it is very important (depending on the family). If your partner has hinted in any way that you need to ask his or her parents for their hand in marriage, do so. If you are not sure what to say try something like, “I am deeply in love with your son/daughter, and we want to spend the rest of our lives together. I am planning to propose, and I want you to be involved in this exciting time.”

THE RING

The engagement ring is something that your partner will wear every day for the rest of their life, so getting a sense of what they will really love is important. If your partner wears jewelry, go and snap a few photos of what kind of jewelry they wear. Or you could look for that secret Pinterest board or ask a close friend or family member to help you figure something out. As for a jeweler, get some recommendations from friends or a family member to make sure you are dealing with someone who has great reviews, prices, and service.

Last and not least, ring size. If it is no secret, just ask. If it is REALLY no secret, you both could set aside some time to go to some jewelry stores to look at ring designs and get a feel for what your partner is looking for. If you are looking towards the surprise route, scout out their jewelry. Find a ring that he or she wears regularly (make a note which finger it goes on) and then either take it to a jeweler or see how far it fits on your finger. Also, many jewelers can make a good guess for a ring size based on your partner's height and weight. If any problems occur, resizing is also an option.

TIME TO GET PERSONAL

Now that you have the ring, it is time to start planning the type of proposal your partner will love and remember for the rest of their life. There are many ways whether it is a grand gesture, an intimate moment with just you two, or something that includes family and friends. There are many, many different and creative ways to propose. Maybe think about a spot that is beautiful and sentimental and that will set the mood. Try and personalize it and add your own touches to whatever you choose to do. It is a huge moment for you as well so maybe getting some outside help will help you stay calm and collected during this moment. Also, read into your partner's personality to see if they would prefer in intimate one-on-one celebration afterwards or if they would want to make it a family affair. You want to do what makes them feel most comfortable. Lastly, planning to have a photographer could be very important. Whether you have hired someone professional or you trust a friend or family member enough to catch it on their iPhone, your soon to be fiancé(e) will love that you had someone capture this special moment.

TAKE NOTES

You do not have to have your speech totally written out but spend a little time jotting down some things that you would like to say. Starting to write things down will push you in a good direction for when it is time, even if you end up having to wing half of it. Now when it is time to think of what to say, people usually hit on your partners best qualities or bring up the time when you really knew that they were the one. It's all about being genuine with your words and make them feel loved and excited in that moment. There are no rules about length. It can be as long or as short as you want it. Talking about what you love about them and how excited you are for the future with them can be the best two things to touch on. There is also no problem with practicing what you want to say once you have it. But of course, do not forget the “Will you marry me?” part!

Also make sure you find the right moment. Do not rush it if the sun is about to set or if dinner is almost over. You want to do it when the moment feels right. If you have planned something low-key, and your partner has been stressed out from work or the weather is not cooperating the day you want to do it, it is always okay to wait a few days.