What makes men propose?

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A recent survey by celebrity jeweller and founder of Vashi.com has found that more than half of grooms propose after hints from their girlfriend that they want to get married. The survey, based on 1000 husbands produced some interesting findings!

Vashi Dominguez says, “This shows that the tried and tested traditions of going down on bended knee and asking her father’s permission are not dying out. It’s great news that nearly all women accept a man’s proposal, even if they do have to drop a few hints beforehand! The survey has shown that men shouldn’t be afraid to invest in a ring that catches their eye before a proposal – the chances are the bride to be will love his choice.”

55% end up proposing after their girlfriend drops several hints about her desire to marry and that the time is right whilst just under a third (30%) pop the question after coming under pressure to tie the knot from their parents or the bride to be’s parents.

The most popular location to propose is at a beauty spot or during a walk in the countryside – chosen by 27% of grooms. Second up is to propose on a foreign break in a city like Paris (20%), followed by at home on a sofa (15%) or on a summer holiday (11%). Seven percent of grooms propose in bed!

Old traditions are not dying out. Seven out of ten grooms (71%) still go down on bended knee when proposing and almost two-thirds of men ask the girlfriend’s father’s permission for her hand in marriage before going ahead with the proposal.

43% popped the question spontaneously. The vast majority of grooms (86%) proposed the first time they intended but a further 12% bottled it at least once before plucking up the courage to ask. Good news though: 93% of women said ‘yes’ to their first proposal!

67% of grooms purchase the diamond engagement ring before proposing, with 87% saying the bride was very happy with their selection and had no desire to change it or to have been involved with the choice.