Thanksgiving Isn’t the Only Celebration Happening This Week; Thursday Marks the Start of Proposal Season, with Nearly 40% of Engagements Taking Place from Now Through Valentine’s Day
From Incorporating Furry Friends to Surprise Trips, Expect to See Proposers Creating the Most Personalized Experiences in the Name of Love During This Proposal Season
New York, NY/November 19, 2018–Millions of Americans will travel near and far, spend quality time with family, and hunt for Black Friday deals this week. For many, an engagement may also be in the cards. Proposal Season—the months from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day when the majority of couples get engaged*—kicks off on Thursday.
In anticipation of the season, The Knot, today released its list of anticipated proposal trends. From grand gestures to intimate affairs, proposals today all have one thing in common: They’re the most personalized declarations of love.
“Weddings aren’t the only place we’re seeing couples infuse more and more of their personalities—it’s actually starting with the proposal,” said Kristen Maxwell Cooper, editor in chief of The Knot. “Whether they’re incorporating their families, their beloved pup, or jetting off on an ‘engagement moon,’ today’s proposals include elements that are meaningful to the couple and representative of their love story, no matter how big or small.”
This Proposal Season, couples can share their own proposals and find the largest collection of proposal inspiration, ideas and stories from real couples on The Knot’s proposal inspiration site How They Asked. Starting November 22nd, couples are also encouraged to share their proposal story on The Knot for a chance to win a wedding dress from Allure Bridals, a three-night stay at any Dreams Resort, and a $1,000 American Express gift card from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. Three runners up will have the chance to receive a $200 American Express gift card from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.
The Knot 2018 Proposal Trends
Same-Day Proposals & Engagement Photo Shoot Sessions. With proposal photography becoming more popular (47% hired a photographer or videographer), proposers are not only planning a proposal and capturing it with a photographer, they’re also surprising their significant other with a professional engagement photo session that same day. These same-day photos capture the proposal’s pure joy and excitement, and couples are using the photos in their save-the-date cards or invitations.
Meaningful Destination Proposals. While some stick close to home, others are choosing to jet off to a destination to seal the deal. Whether a city they’ve always wanted to see together, a meaningful locale they’ve been to before (like their first official trip as a couple), or the country of their cultural heritage, proposers are making the grand gesture in meaningful destinations.
Help From Furry Friends. Whether gifting a dog in addition to the ring, making the ask with the help of a baby goat, or including a dear pet (after all, they’re part of the family!), proposals are getting lots of help from furry friends.
Making a Day of the Proposal. Getting engaged is a big deal and proposers are creating not just one moment of celebration, but an entire special day dedicated to the proposal. For example, a proposal that begins with a brunch, a stroll in the park and the big question, followed by a surprise appearance from family and friends, as well as a party. This gives the proposer a chance to celebrate multiple moments all day (with some of the most important people in their lives!), from the proposal to a big engagement party.
Family-First Proposal. Before the ask, proposers are popping the question to important people in their significant other’s lives. Proposing in a special way to a partner’s son or daughter, a close sister or even his or her parents, are markers of the trending family-first proposal.
At (New) Home & Weather-Proof Proposals. As a way of celebrating both the engagement and the purchase of a new home, some couples are getting engaged inside their brand new abode for more of an intimate, personal moment with double the celebration. Outdoor proposals, no matter the weather, are also huge; proposers are popping the question on top of mountains, in a blizzard, or a downpour at an apple orchard. Nearly half (45%) of proposals take place in a public location, such as a scenic spot, (25%) garden, park or zoo (10%), up from 34% in 2011.
A Love Story Time Capsule. What’s more meaningful than a recap of your love throughout the years? From proposing in front of a wall of photos encompassing the couple’s four years together, to never-been-read love letters written from their first date to the engagement and strung together throughout the house, to a scavenger hunt taking the proposee to all their “first” spots—their first date, first kiss, first place they said “I love you” and more—the couple’s love story is creating the proposal.
Personalized Rings (or Something Just as Meaningful!) Are a Must. For those proposing with a ring, nearly half (45%) had their engagement rings personalized in some way. Eighteen percent completely customized the ring and 27% implemented touches of custom design with a jeweler, according to The Knot Jewelry & Engagement Study. On average, proposers are spending $6,351 on the cost of the ring. But this Proposal Season, don’t be surprised to see proposals with something other than a ring. Think watches, bracelets, an instrument for the musician, the gift of an ‘engagement moon,’ custom artwork for the home, or even just words with the promise of going shopping for the perfect ring together.
Chronicling the Journey. Not only is the proposal the ultimate gesture of love, some are chronicling the journey to the proposal and showing their partner the amount of time, effort and love that went into planning the special moment (the proposer meticulously plans the proposal over the course of an average 4.4 months). Whether taking a photo with dad when he says “yes,” or a video picking the ring up from the jeweler and journaling thoughts and feelings along the way, getting a peek behind the magic is one special addition to the proposal.
For all the wedding inspiration a newly engaged couple needs, The Knot is hosting an Admire and Be Inspired wedding event, sponsored by Allure Bridals, on November 29th from 6-8 p.m. at Home Studios in New York City. The free event is open to the public by RSVP here.
*All stats from The Knot 2017 Jewelry & Engagement Study.
About The Knot
The Knot is the nation’s leading multiplatform wedding resource offering a seamless, all-in-one planning experience—from finding inspiration and local vendors to creating and managing all guest experiences, wedding registries and more. The trusted brand reaches a majority of engaged couples in the US through the #1 wedding planning website TheKnot.com and #1 iOS and Android mobile app The Knot Wedding Planner, The Knot national and local wedding magazines, and The Knot book series. Since its inception, The Knot has inspired approximately 25 million couples to plan a wedding that’s uniquely them. The Knot is the flagship brand of XO Group Inc. (NYSE:XOXO), which helps couples navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments—from getting married to moving in together and having a baby. Visit The Knot online at TheKnot.com and follow on social media: Facebook.com/TheKnot and @TheKnot on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
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