Colder nights and the first hints of Christmas carols means cuffing season is officially here, but for those who are ready to turn it up a notch, proposal season is also right around the corner.
New predictions from wedding planning app Bridebook has found that the weekend of December 21 and 22 will be the most popular date to propose this year.
“With Christmas falling midweek this year, we can expect the weekend of December 21 and 22 to be the most popular weekend for proposals of all of 2019 - a mighty 10 per cent of all proposals for the year,” Bridebook founder Hamish Shephard says.
“With over two thirds of UK engaged couples using the Bridebook app, we can see clear patterns emerging from data and insights from hundreds of thousands of couples. So trust Bridebook’s team and look out for the tell-tale signs - secret phone-calls and emails, special trips being planned, a sudden interest in jewellery…"
Research from Bridebook also found that over 100,000 engagements happen over the Christmas season, with 40 per cent of UK engagements happening between Christmas Eve and Valentine’s Day – and half of these are predicted to occur between December 21 and New Year’s Eve.
“Proposing over the holiday period means celebrating with all the family during such a feel good time. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas lights, mulled wine and candle-light set the perfect romantic scene for a secret surprise proposal,” Shephard continues.
As 2020 is a leap year, Bridebook also predicts a second wave of proposals to happen on February 29 – as this is the traditional day where women propose to men.
“The tradition dates back to the fifth century,” Shephard explains. “Some countries still hold the tradition that a man who refuses a woman’s proposal on this date should pay a financial penalty.”
Archaic traditions aside, when we spoke to relationship expert Ben Edwards last year he said the ideal time to propose is when it feels right.
Edwards continued: “The world is changing. A few generations ago, there was a set expectation for men, and particularly women, of a certain age to meet their partners young, marry, start a family and ultimately stay together for the rest of their life.
“Now that there are other options available to couples and less limitations, social ‘norms’ are being challenged. I don’t believe there is a set time to wait; some couples will get engaged after knowing each other for three months, others three years. It is important when making life-changing decisions like moving in with a partner or getting married, that you let your emotions lead; go with your gut. If it feels right, it probably is.”
