Know The Best Times To Avoid Proposing


Portugal | Photo by PEDIPortugal Weddings

Have you ever wondered if there is a wrong time to propose? Popping the big question is a huge moment in any relationship, and timing can make all the difference. But just as there are perfect moments to propose, there are also times when it’s better to wait. In this blog post, I’ll share some important moments when you should avoid proposing. Let’s look at the times when you should hit the pause button on that proposal plan.

Without Preparation 

Asking your partner to marry you is a big deal, so it’s important to be ready, otherwise, if you don’t plan ahead, things could get awkward. Your proposal can feel rushed and not well thought out if you don’t prepare it. It could give the impression that you didn’t care enough to plan a special moment. This can make your partner feel unimportant, and that’s the opposite of what you want. You can make a big difference if you take the time to plan. You can check here how you can prepare a perfect proposal

Portugal | Photo by PEDIPortugal Weddings

During A Difficult Time For Your Partner

You might think that proposing to your partner when they are facing a hard time will be a perfect way of cheering them up, but it’s generally not a good idea. Your partner won’t be able to enjoy your big surprise if they are having a hard time. For example, if they lost someone they care about, have stress at work, have family issues, or are sick. It might also make them feel very stressed or kinda guilty if they can’t be as excited as you want them to be.

Your partner needs your support more than anything else. They might need a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to, or just your presence. For this reason, wait for a time when they are feeling more stable and positive.

When The Relationship Is New

In the beginning, everything might look perfect, but you need time to really know someone. You’re both still learning about each other’s likes, dislikes, habits, and personalities. It’s important to see how you both deal with happy and sad times and how you get along with each other’s families and friends before you decide to marry. Rushing into a proposal might feel romantic, but it doesn’t give you enough time to build a solid foundation and see how it develops.

There’s no rush to get engaged. Give your relationship time to grow and develop naturally. If it’s meant to be, there will be plenty of time to propose when you both feel ready and confident in your decision. Check out right here everything you need to know about how long you should be together before engagement. 

Portugal | Photo by PEDIPortugal Weddings

During Intimacy 

This is a very special moment when you two feel connected and express your emotions. But it might not be the best moment to pop that question. Your partner might feel unsure or not know how to answer. Proposing during intimacy might come across as something done in the heat of the moment, without much thought. Your partner may wonder if you really mean it or if it’s just the emotions talking.

During intimacy, your partner may not be mentally or emotionally ready to discuss something as serious as marriage. They could feel pressured to respond immediately, which isn’t fair in such a big decision.

You want your proposal to be something that both of you are fully present for, not something that happens when emotions are running high for other reasons.

During An Argument

Proposing during an argument is a bad idea. When people are mad or upset, they might say things they don’t really mean. When emotions are strong, it’s hard to think straight. You could make things worse if you ask your partner to marry you while you’re arguing. Your partner might feel that you are not taking their emotions into consideration or that you’re just trying to ignore the problem.

Before Or During An Important Event

Your partner may get anxious or nervous before they are close to doing something very important. For example, a big exam, an interview for a new job or perhaps, a presentation. If you pop the question during this time, they might be too stressed to enjoy it because their heads are on what’s coming up. They could feel overwhelmed, and that’s not the best way to start such a big and happy part of your life together.

Also, proposing during an important event, like a family party, a fancy dinner, or even at another person’s wedding can be very stressful. This can put the focus away from the event itself, and that’s not very nice. Your engagement proposal deserves a moment exclusive to itself without the need to compete with other events for attention. You want your special moment to be just about the two of you, not lost in the noise or importance of another event. 

Portugal | Photo by PEDIPortugal Weddings

When Finances Are Unstable 

Money problems can cause a lot of stress. It isn’t everything in a relationship, but it does play a significant role in your future together. Your relationship can be affected when you two are stressed about paying bills and debts. 

Having money problems can also make it hard to enjoy the engagement. You might feel like you need to get a fancy ring, have a huge proposal party or dive right into planning your wedding. Well, that stuff can get expensive. If you’re already worried about money, these added costs can cause anxiety and strain between you and your partner. 

When You Are Not On The Same Page 

Being on the same page means you and your partner agree on big things like marriage, having a family, jobs, and how you want to live your lives. It doesn’t mean you have to agree on everything, but marriage is a partnership where you have to commit and invest. If you and your partner don’t want the same things, asking them to marry you might confuse them, or they might say no. See here what to do if this happens.

When You Are Unsure About Your Partner’s Feelings or Yours 

If you have no idea how your partner feels about marriage or your relationship, asking them to marry you might leave them uncomfortable. They may feel compelled to say yes when they are not ready. That could totally make things tense and stressful between you two. 

You also need to be clear about your own feelings. If you’re not sure about how you feel, maybe you just need more time to figure out what you really want. And this includes the commitment that comes with marriage. 

Portugal | Photo by PEDIPortugal Weddings

When There Are Unresolved Problems 

You have unresolved issues when you don’t talk or solve your problems when they come up. For example, problems with money, where to live, plans for the future, or hurt feelings. They can also be about trusting each other, communicating, or feeling like one person doesn’t care enough. Whatever it is, if it’s causing problems now, it could become an even bigger issue after you’re engaged or married.

Proposing during this time might seem like a way to move past these problems, but it usually does the opposite. Instead of fixing things, it can add more tension. When you don’t deal with problems, it’s hard to enjoy the engagement and plan for a future together. 

When You Feel Pressured 

Pressure can come from many places. Maybe your family is asking when you’re going to settle down and ask the big question. Maybe all your friends are getting engaged, and you feel like you should too. Or maybe your partner talks a lot about marriage, and you feel like you should ask them soon. 

However, proposing because you feel pushed into it is not a good idea. Let your proposal come from your heart, not from what others expect. If you’re not ready (you can check here for tips), it’s okay to wait. You just need to be sure that you want to spend your life with this person because you love them, not because you don’t want to disappoint anyone. 

Portugal | Photo by PEDIPortugal Weddings

If You Are Trying To Save The Relationship 

Engagement may seem like it will fix everything when a relationship is having big problems. If your relationship is shaky, engagement won’t make the problems go away. It might add more pressure and you or your partner might regret it later. It is also easy to feel scared of losing your partner and proposing might seem like a way to keep them close. Instead of proposing to fix things, it’s better to focus on what’s causing the problems in your relationship.

When One Of You Is Drunk 

Alcohol can make you more confident or boost your mood, but it decreases your ability to judgment. When you’re drunk, you might say or do things you wouldn’t normally do when you’re sober. You can get confused and regret it later on. There is also a chance you may not remember every detail of the proposal when you wake up the next morning.

A proposal is a big decision and you should do it with a clear mind. This way you can avoid making these big proposal mistakes. Ensure that you two are aware of exactly what is happening and can remember it perfectly. 

If You Haven’t Discussed Marriage 

Before you ask the big question, make sure you both are on board with the idea of marriage and what that really means to each of you. This helps make sure you both want the same things for your future together. 

It shouldn’t be a big surprise when you propose to your partner. If you haven’t talked about this yet, your partner might not be ready for the idea because they haven’t had a chance to consider marriage themselves. They could be saying “yes” just to avoid letting you down. This might become problematic later on if they truly are not ready or have doubts. 

Portugal | Photo by PEDIPortugal Weddings

When You Haven’t Met Each Other’s Families 

Marriage doesn’t just concern the couple, but also the union between their families. This is a big step in a relationship. Families are very important in our lives. When you meet your partner’s family, you come to understand where and how they were raised, their beliefs, and their habits. It’s also a great time to see how your partner gets along with their family. It shows that you both genuinely care about each other and want the relationship to work. 

During A Big Life Changing 

It is normal for your feelings to be all mixed up when one of you or both are experiencing a big life-changing. This could be a job or a city change, or a family event. One moment you can feel excited and the next, anxious or stressed. Therefore, it becomes hard to concentrate and focus on key decisions like thinking of engagement.

You can think that is a good idea to propose during a big life change to bring some joy to a stressful time. But it can actually add more pressure. It’s important that both of you are in a stable and happy place to make such a big decision. 

Portugal | Photo by PEDIPortugal Weddings

To sum up, asking someone to marry you is a really big deal, and you should pick the perfect time to do it. Don’t propose during these times, so you can make sure your proposal is special and unforgettable for both of you. Instead, look for a time when you two are relaxed, happy, and on the same page about your future together. You can also have a look at these top tips to make it even more perfect.

I am so grateful that you came on this journey with me. If you liked what you read and are interested in more of my work, please check my portfolio here. I want to know what you think. Thank you very much for your valuable support!

Pedro Cruz

Wedding photographer and videographer from Lisbon, Portugal. Here is Pedro Cruz's short bio.

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