The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Marriage Proposal

1. The Moment: When It Is and Is Not the Right Time

Proposing marriage isn’t just pulling out a ring and asking a question. It’s a rite of passage, a moment that stays tattooed in both your memories. Here’s a guide to make your proposal creative, romantic, true to your essence as a couple, and with the surprise factor handled with care.

When it does make sense:

Your anniversary
Your “dating day” or any date meaningful to both of you
A special day together: a trip, getaway, or romantic experience

When it’s not a good idea:

Valentine’s Day
New Year’s Eve
Christmas
Someone else’s wedding
A massive, noisy holiday

Your proposal deserves its own stage, not to be an “extra” on an overcrowded date.

2. The Location: It Must Be Beautiful… and Intentional

Choose a place that is:

Beautiful and photogenic
Magical or meaningful for you both
As private as possible

It can be a cenote, a beach, a terrace with a view, a garden, a favorite corner… What matters is that it feels like your setting, not just a “pretty place.”

3. The Surprise Factor

You may have talked about marriage a thousand times, but the proposal itself must still be a surprise:

She shouldn’t know when
She shouldn’t know where
She shouldn’t know how

Surprise is what turns the moment into something magical and almost cinematic.

4. What Cannot Be a Surprise for You

There are things you must have crystal clear:

What you’re going to say (at least the ideas, not word-for-word)
Which hand the ring goes on
Whether you’ll kneel or not, and how (think about your posture)
How all of this will look in photos and video: angle, light, placement

Nothing kills a perfect shot faster than someone improvising mid-lunge in a weird stance.

5. Talk About Marriage First

Before planning the proposal:

Make sure you’ve already talked about marriage or spending your lives together.
That the topic isn’t completely new to her.
If family is important to her, consider talking to her parents or someone close beforehand.

The proposal should surprise her, but it shouldn’t “take her hostage.”

6. The Meaning of the Moment

Before thinking about flowers, candles, and giant letters, think about what you’re asking and offering:

What does commitment mean to you?
What challenges have you overcome together?
What do you dream of for the future?

Décor is a gift for her. Commitment is a gift for both of you.

7. The Ring: More Than a Jewel

Ideally, the ring should reflect her style:

Metal: white gold, yellow, rose…
Type of stone and shape
Correct size (this is where the accomplice comes in)

About “How Much Should I Spend?”

A common reference for many is around three months’ salary… but more important than the formula is that the ring makes sense for both of you and doesn’t drown you financially.

8. The Accomplice: Your Silent Ally

You need someone trustworthy: her mom, sister, best friend, cousin…

What can she help coordinate?

Making sure her nails look good for photos
Helping her pack outfits suitable for the occasion
Getting info on the ring: size, metal, style
Helping her show up looking gorgeous without suspecting a thing

9. How to Dress (Both of You)

It’s not superficial: it shows a lot in photos and video.

Ideal colors: white and neutrals
Avoid loud patterns and colors that clash with the décor
Best if both of you stay in the same color palette

White is the wildcard: it matches any setup, flowers, or lights. Neon yellow with intense red décor… not so much.

10. Décor: Maximalist, Minimalist, or “Soft Luxury”?

Think about the style that represents her best:

Maximalist: abundance, drama, many elements
Minimalist: clean lines, few very well-chosen elements
Soft luxury: quiet luxury; everything looks expensive but nothing screams

It doesn’t have to look like a movie set, but it should feel intentional.

11. The Entire Day, Not Just the Moment

Avoid:

Proposing after a tiring day full of tours
After an all-inclusive day with ten cocktails in
The first day after landing
The last day, sunburned and packing

Ideal:

A calm, romantic, special day from start to finish
Being able to keep celebrating the next day: breakfast in bed, beach, kisses, quiet

12. Timing: Light and Atmosphere

Sunset

Usually the best moment for photos, video, and mood
Check the exact sunset time and don’t be late

Night

Works great for proposals with candles, lights, fireworks, cenote, or locations with controlled lighting
On an open beach, darkness can kill the background

Sunrise

Beautiful but difficult: waking up early, makeup, getting ready…
Setup is often more expensive because the team works at dawn
If neither of you is a morning person, it’s not the best choice

13. Common Mistakes You Should Avoid

Opening the ring box upside down
Not practicing how you’ll kneel
Not preparing at least an idea of what you’ll say
Arriving late to sunset
Not planning your outfits
Ruining the surprise by acting weird or dropping hints
Forgetting what she would want (not just what’s comfortable for you)
Not having “the marriage talk” beforehand
Storing the ring poorly (pocket with a hole, open backpack, etc.)
Not hiring a professional photographer and ending up with blurry or dark photos

14. Intimate Proposal, Not a Public Spectacle

Unless you’re 100% sure she dreams of something big and public, avoid:

Flash mobs
Jumbotrons
Crowded restaurants
Tourist-packed areas

Emotions flow better without thirty strangers staring.

15. After the “Yes”: What to Do (and Not Do)

Do:

Have something special planned: dinner, champagne, romantic walk
Give yourselves time to cry, laugh, hug

Don’t:

Call the whole family via video immediately
Rush to post everything on social media

Live the moment first. Share it later.

16. Do You Really Need a Planner?

You know your partner better than anyone. But if the proposal is in another city or country, a local planner is almost mandatory:

They have vetted, high-quality vendors
They keep you from being overcharged
They coordinate photo, video, setup, timing, and weather

Doing it directly with a hotel usually means:

Higher cost (30–50% more)
Less personalization
Less control over details

If you’re in Riviera Maya, Cancún, Tulum, or Cozumel, that’s where AMAR comes in: our job is to make sure you only experience the moment while everything else “mysteriously runs perfectly.”