Understanding National Proposal Day: History, Significance, and Celebration

You’ve likely heard of romantic holidays like Valentine’s Day, but have you ever heard of National Proposal Day? This special day comes twice a year and is the perfect time to plan for your future, reflect on your past, or, in some cases, go ahead and pop the question! We love a good proposal at Shane Co., so we were excited to learn more about National Proposal Day. Keep reading for the inside scoop along with some tips on how to celebrate the day.

What Is National Proposal Day?

A man named John Michael O’Loughlin created National Proposal Day after his cousin broke up with her boyfriend because he wouldn’t propose. John Michael wanted to remind others that there’s always time to propose and commit to your true love.

This holiday is observed on both the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, meaning the first day of spring and the first day of fall. These two days are times of new beginnings and a balance between night and day. It’s the perfect time to plan for your future with your partner. In 2024, National Proposal Day falls on March 20 and September 23.

Proposal Tips on National Proposal Day

Ready to go for it on National Proposal Day? We think you should! There are just a few things to keep in mind. First of all, we recommend feeling things out with your partner. While you may not want to completely spoil the surprise, you do want to make sure they’re on the same page.

From there, depending on your circumstances, you may want to also feel it out with your families and close friends. Whether or not you need their blessing, it’s good to have added support. In some cases, you might need to let them know if you want them to be part of the proposal.

If your partner loves a party, you might plan to celebrate with your close circle right after the proposal. If your partner prefers intimate moments, this might not be the best idea. You know them best, so it’s up to you to determine exactly what they need, but input from others can be helpful. You may also want to invest in a good photographer for the proposal. Many couples tend to get engaged privately and replicate the scenario later with a photographer, while others choose to capture the authentic moment.

Whatever you decide, wait to pop the question when the moment feels right! Even if you have the perfect plan in place, you want your proposal to feel natural and true to your relationship. It’s a special moment between the two of you that’s going to last forever.

How to Celebrate If You’re Dating

You may not be ready to propose just yet, but National Proposal Day is a great time to start talking about your future plans. If you haven’t discussed marriage yet but see it as a possibility, it’s a good idea to get all your cards out on the table. People may have different timelines or goals in mind, so it’s important to make sure you’re aligned with your partner.

If you’ve already discussed marriage and know it’s what you both want, celebrate National Proposal Day by going to look at rings together! At a jewelry store like Shane Co., expert jewelry consultants will help make your dreams a reality. Whether you shop online or in-store, you can narrow down exactly what your partner wants in a ring by looking at our wide selection of center stone and setting options together.

How to Celebrate If You’re Already Engaged or Married

If you’re already engaged or married but want to celebrate National Proposal Day and reminisce, we say you should go for it! Your partner will feel loved and know that the proposal holds a special place in your heart.

We recommend recreating the day you got engaged by returning to the spot where it happened, reliving other moments of the day, or taking couple photos together. Remind each other why you got engaged and why you love your relationship. Maybe you got engaged without the dream ring and want to use this day to propose with a new ring (or an upgraded one).

If you can’t exactly go back to where you got engaged, try celebrating by watching romantic movies like The Proposal or Leap Year. These classic romantic comedies are all about couples finding their way to each other and getting engaged.

No matter what stage you’re at in your proposal process, Shane Co. is here to help. We offer a wide variety of stunning engagement ring options for you to choose from. Select a stone and setting of your choice with the help of our wonderful team or by browsing online. You don’t have to be engaged to look! We’re here to help you with your jewelry needs no matter your relationship status. Book an appointment online or in-store to get started.

At Shane Co., we love seeing people celebrating their love, so we encourage every couple to celebrate National Proposal Day. Make sure to tag us on Instagram with your amazing proposal stories or comment below!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published August 2023 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.