Got the ring or got one in mind? The excitement begins now: proposal planning. Christmas and New Year seem to bring out the best in people, and the engagement posts on Instagram come in thick and fast. We love it. Don’t worry – even if you’re not planning to propose this season, your proposal story will still go down a treat, we know it.

Whenever you are planning to propose, there are a few simple things to think properly about to make sure this proposal story gets passed amongst your friends and family for time to come. First up?

Who

(Just kidding)

How

So, the method of the proposal. There are so many different paths you can take for this. We’re guessing you want a successful proposal; one where your partner says yes, and one that provides a good story to tell the future grandkids. How you play the proposal should be dependent on you and your partner – what suits you? Think about what your partner loves, and obviously avoid what they hate. Got a shy girlfriend or boyfriend? We suggest steering clear of the big, public question-popping. So, cross through that ‘flash mob’ idea immediately.

Are you going down the traditional route? From asking the dad’s permission to getting down on one knee, a traditional route is a low-key but equally exciting way to go. Or maybe you’re looking for something unique? Bursting out in song and dance with a flash mob is probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but it doesn’t have to be that extravagant if you’re looking for alternative proposal ideas. At the end of the day, you know your partner the best – you know what they’ll appreciate, what they’ll love, and what they’ll cherish forever.

Where

Whichever way you choose to propose – whether you’re going a bit traditional or a bit #edgy with it – needs to partner up with your ideal location to pop the question. Sometimes, it might be a factor of carrying around the ring until you figure out a time that seems right. Other times, you want to be a lot more organised with it.

As a venue-finding platform, we like the idea of organisation. Booking a venue for your proposal allows you to build yourself up to the moment, and make sure everything is just perfect for when you say the four big words: Will You Marry Me? You might choose your cosy local pub or maybe a romantic dinner at your favourite restaurant in town, or maybe you go all out and team the engagement with the engagement party in one night. We’ve got plenty of stunning engagement party options right here.

When

You want to find the perfect moment. If you are the organised type, you’ll need to think about the way you want your day, evening or weekend to pan out. Like, do you want to propose before they’ve managed to wipe the sleep from their eyes? Do you want to propose before too much wine has been consumed? (We suggest yes). If you’re doing it in your fave restaurant, do you want to propose before or after you eat? Or even during as a nice mid-meal surprise?

One good idea if you are booking a table, private room or full venue is to let the staff or venue manager of your plans. They’ll be sure to help you wherever possible to make sure things run smoothly for you. In the name of love, and all that.

The celebrations

We already mentioned the engagement party, but here’s where we want to really get into it. Because, you know, at Canvas, we love a good party (and the party planning). You’ve got to have a real celebration for the special occasion. So, how are you going to celebrate?

Get your nearest and dearest together and book out a fancy venue to really hammer the fact that you are getting married home. It’s exciting news for you, and bound to be exciting news for all your friends and family, so why not make the most of it?

Whether you want a sit-down meal, a big party where you can dance the night away, or just casual drinks on a Saturday afternoon, we’d love to help you out with a venue.  Depending on the vibe you want, the number of guests you have attending and the location in London, you can find something that is perfectly suited to you by filtering down our massive selection of engagement party venues.