January can provide the perfect backdrop for a new year winter wedding, with those crisp, bright days making indoor weddings super cosy and romantic, especially with candlelit evenings around a roaring fire. However for some, it can be a long and lonely month - no wonder we are all up for a bit of romanticism mid February, come on in St. Valentine’s Day. Now there are many theories about who this day is commemorating and why, but for us, the importance of this day is centred around those one-kneed proposals that are so popular at this time of the year.

With Spring on its way, hope is in the air and we know that many of you will be wishing for that magical marriage proposal from their other half. So we thought it would be wise to consider a few things ahead of a potential “Will you marry me?”.

Firstly, it is crucial to manage those expectations as Valentine’s Day brings enough pressure without adding on the weight of a marriage proposal. Our advice is to focus on the sentiment and true meaning behind the proposal, reminding yourself that whilst a grand gesture can be pretty cool, really what is at the heart of the act is the most vital factor - that your loved one wants to spend the rest of their life with you. Next, you want to think about how you will respond, perhaps you are good at going with the flow or maybe you would like to prepare something so you have equally beautiful words to impart on them. You will also want to consider who you will tell first and when you tell people, we recommend enjoying the moment before diving onto social media to share the big news. You may wish to hold off and plan a small photoshoot to capture those initial giddy days and then let your friends and family know with a stunning photo. Or perhaps you won’t be able to contain your excitement and jump straight into an Insta story to let the world know, just be sure to check in with your partner first so you are both on the same page.

As you hopefully know, we are all about pushing boundaries and breaking the mould so while a ‘traditional’ proposal - the guy asks the girl set up - may be your reality, we recognise that love extends beyond this format and we celebrate that. So whoever you are, however you identify, you can absolutely be the one driving a marriage proposal. If you are in need of some inspiration, Elizabeth Taylor trailblazed by proposing to Michael Wilding in 1952 whilst working on a film together. She has been followed by many women who wanted to take the lead in this traditionally male arena from Pink to Diane Von Furstenberg and more recently over lockdown, Sarah Snook. We must also mention Kristen Bell’s and Dax Shepard’s engagement as Kristen waited until same-sex marriage was legalised in California before popping the question to her now husband - kudos to you Kristen.

Those in a same-sex relationship may find themselves wondering who will do the proposing. We love the story of Becky and Jessa at Memphis Zoo, where Becky proposed to her then girlfriend only to then watch Jessa reach into her bag and also pull out a ring - she was planning to propose that day too! Watching the video of it here at Something HQ got us all gooey, our takeaway was that it really doesn’t matter who pops the question, or really how it is done, as long as it is done with love. We even love that there are now engagement rings being designed for men, so everyone can wear that precious piece that says ‘I am getting married’.

Let’s take a moment to imagine how it will feel, that indescribable feeling of happiness knowing the one you love wants to commit to you, as you do to them. Once you have come down from those heady heights, you may wish to begin making plans for your wedding day starting with choosing that special venue and setting that all important date. Of course, for us, the best bit of it all is finding that perfect wedding dress so please do not hesitate to contact us to explore how wedding dress hire can work for you, or begin getting some ideas of what your wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses could be, by browsing our ranges here. Whether you are doing the proposing, or hoping to be proposed to, we wish you love and luck from us all here at Something Borrowed, we can’t wait to be a part of your bridal wear rental journey.