Sometimes relationships start as “just friends,” eventually evolving into dating and sometimes ending up lasting forever.
But when do most marriage proposals take place? On a birthday? What about the anniversary of the first date? Current engagement trends suggest that most marriage proposals occur during the winter holidays.
The holiday season presents a festive atmosphere ideal for marriage proposals.
“A lot of people seem to get engaged over the winter and New Year’s holidays,” David’s Bridal store manager Elizabeth Moore said.
Moore said she hears about a lot of “sweet” proposals that happen over winter vacation. She added that most people buy their wedding gowns in January and plan for summer weddings.
Eugene resident Ty Mellinger proposed to junior Kim Wood in July 2002.
“I’m glad it was the day he chose,” Wood said, acknowledging that many couples seem to get engaged in the winter. She said Mellinger chose July for the proposal because they wanted to get married at a baseball field on the anniversary of the proposal.
A popular marriage proposal tradition is the element of surprise. Wood said she was surprised when Mellinger proposed to her. Mellinger hid the ring in Wood’s room, and when she found it he got on one knee and asked her to marry him, Wood said.
Fred Cuellar, writer for http://www.lovegevity.com, said he believes the number-one mistake men make when they propose is doing it on a birthday or a holiday. Cuellar said the proposal should occur on a significant day for the relationship, not a holiday that cannot be the couple’s.
Although there are many days and times to propose, the marriage proposal is a climactic moment for many relationships, whatever day of the year it occurs on.