What Should You Say When You Propose to Your Girlfriend?

If you’re here because your brain has suddenly forgotten every romantic sentence it’s ever learned, welcome to the club.

If you say it with love, and you say it like you, you’re already 90% of the way there.

If you’d like help with the other 10% (the “what do I actually say when my mouth turns to dust?” bit), here’s a practical guide you can genuinely use in the moment.

How Do You Start a Proposal Speech Without Sounding Like a Wedding Toast?

• Start small and true.
• Start with one memory you both recognise, because it instantly makes the moment feel personal.
• Start with something like: “I’ve been thinking about us.”
• Start with a line you’d actually say on a normal Tuesday—just with your heart turned up a notch.

Example opener:

“Do you remember our first date at [place]? I knew then you were someone I didn’t want to lose.”

What Should You Definitely Include in Your Proposal Words?

Include three things: a memory, a reason, and a promise.

• A memory anchors you in your real story.
• A reason tells her what you love about her (not just that you love her).
• A promise shows you’ve thought beyond the ring box.

Simple structure:

“Since [memory], I’ve loved you because [reason]. I want a life with you because [promise].”

How Do You Make It Personal If You’re Not “A Words Person”?

Be specific instead of poetic.

Specific beats “grand” every time.

Name the tiny things she does that you’d miss instantly if she wasn’t in your day-to-day life.

Try:

“I love how you [specific habit].”

“I feel safe with you when [specific moment].”

“You make ordinary days feel like something worth keeping.”

What If You Get Emotional or Forget Your Lines?

It’s proof that you mean it!

If you blank, grab a “bookmark sentence” you can always return to:

“I’m nervous because I care so much, but I know this: I want to be your husband.”

And if you cry, just say:

“Sorry—turns out I’m not as cool as I imagined.”

What Can You Say If You Want It Short and Sweet?

Short proposals can be incredibly romantic.

Try one of these:

“You’re my favourite person. Will you marry me?”

“I choose you—today and always. Will you marry me?”

“Life with you feels like home. Will you marry me?”

“I love you. I want this forever. Will you marry me?”

What Should You Say in a Public Proposal (Without Regretting It Later)?

Keep it tighter than you think.

Public proposals aren’t the place for a ten-minute origin story—save that for later, over chips.

If you’re proposing somewhere special in the UK, you might like this location inspo: 34 beautiful places to propose in the UK .

If you’re doing it in a restaurant, this guide helps with the practical bits (timing, staff, avoiding a mouthful of steak): How to pull off the perfect restaurant proposal .

What Should You Say When Proposing in the UK?

You don’t need special “UK proposal wording”.

You do want the tone to feel like you—whether that’s romantic, dry, soft, or a bit cheeky.

If you’re doing the classic knee moment and want the backstory (or just a fun rabbit hole), here’s: The history & meaning of proposing on one knee .

Can You Use a Fill-In-The-Blanks Proposal Script?

Yes, and it’s often the best way to keep it natural.

The “one minute, no cringe” proposal script

“[Her name], I’ve been thinking about us. Since [how you met / early memory], my life has felt better—more like mine. I love you because [3 specific things].I want a future with you that looks like [your shared life: home / travel / family / quiet Sundays / adventures]. So… will you marry me?”

Three “specific things” prompts (pick any three)

“You’re the kindest person I know when [example].”

“You make me laugh when [example].”

“You’ve made me braver about [example].”

A Quick Table to Match the Speech to Your Style

What Should You Avoid Saying When You Propose?

• Avoid anything that sounds like a performance review.
• Avoid backhanded compliments (“I never thought I’d settle down, but…”).
• Avoid jokes that could land weird (“About time, isn’t it?”).
• Avoid making it about pressure, timelines, or other people.

If in doubt, keep it kind, simple, and true.

What Do You Do After She Says Yes?

Celebrate first.

Breathe second!

Then, when you’re ready, you can look at the practical “UK admin” bits—like giving notice (England & Wales) via GOV.UK.

If you’re sorting jewellery details after the excitement, it’s also worth understanding UK hallmarking basics (consumer protection).

How Do You Sort the Ring If You’re Still Working It Out?

You’re definitely allowed to propose without having every ring detail nailed down.

You can propose with a placeholder ring, or you can propose and choose the ring together (some couples genuinely prefer it).

If you’re unsure about presentation logistics (box, pocket, hiding it from her like a Victorian spy), here’s a practical guide: To box or not to box for your proposal .

If budget is the thing making you stall, this one helps you plan without panic-buying: Buying an engagement ring on a budget .

If you want to find an independent jeweller (and want a “how do I know they’re legit?” compass), the National Association of Jewellers has a helpful consumer guide .

FAQs

What is the best thing to say when you propose?

The best thing to say when you propose is something specific and true: a memory you share, what you love about her, and the simple question: “Will you marry me?”

What are the words to propose?

The essential words are: “Will you marry me?” Everything else is there to make it personal.

What should I say if I propose to a girl?

Say what she means to you in real terms, not clichés, and ask the question clearly.

What should I say when proposing in the UK?

In the UK, keep it sincere and you’ll be fine. If you want a “British” flavour, think warm, understated, and specific—less movie monologue, more honest promise.