It's Proposal Season - or is it?

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Based on the North American experience and data, proposal season (aka engagement season) kicks off on the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving), peaks on Christmas Day, and continues until Valentines Day.  All of which makes sense. It’s cold, it’s cosy, snuggling, weather, and it includes the 2 biggest days for family get-togethers, together with the top day for focusing on new beginnings and the most (commercially) romantic day of the year.

Ironically, proposal season also includes what has been dubbed International Breakup Day, the day on which, according to an analysis of Facebook Status changes since 2008, is December 11. There’s also another breakups peak on 21 February. Exactly one week after Valentine’s Day.

Do these Proposal Season dates hold true in Australia?

If you take media stories at face value, it would seem that way. But many of those stories are recycled from US media sources, with just the names and places changed. If you look deeper into the Aussie way of doing things, maybe the story is not such a simple one.

In this country where the proposal happens has a lot of influence on when it happens!. For someone in love any time of year can be the perfect time to propose, especially in a country that offers so many beautiful options.

Christmas Proposals

School holidays, traditional beach getaway time, family get-together time, and the opportunity to have an engagement ring do double duty as a Christmas pressie, all feed into summer and Christmas being a popular time to propose.

We’re relaxed, many of us have time off, there are lots of parties. Why not add one more celebration. It works for a lot of couples. (Though, keep the present-giving thing separate. Absolutely spring for a separate Christmas gift!)

Valentine’s Day Proposals

Another no-brainer. The whole country, it seems, decorates for romance, restaurants ramp it up, suitable boxes, cards, and gifts are available in every supermarket. It’s super convenient to plan. Just might not be super-easy to pull off in an intimate fashion in a restaurant or other venue crowded with couples bent on romance.

Location, location, location

With the planned proposal industry alive and kicking, and the backdrop to photos being a major aspect of the planning, decisions about where the proposal happens has a huge influence on when proposal season is in a particular location,

Australia has no shortage of breathtaking spots that make for the perfect backdrop to popping the question. From lush rainforests to the red centre, from fabulous beaches to rugged mountain ranges - you name it, we have it!

And it stands to reason that the height of summer may not be the perfect time in every location. It all depends what you have in mind.

Here is my take on choosing the perfect timing in the perfect location.

Snow season

If the whole hot chocolate, warm mittens, flickering fireplaces vibes are your thing, head for the snow. Which means June, July, and August. And if you go to Tassie, a proposal under the Southern Lights could be a romantic and unforgettable experience. Imagine standing in the crisp, cool air, wrapped up in a warm blanket with your loved one, as the sky above you comes alive with vibrant hues of green, pink, and purple.

Sunrise or Sunset at Uluru

It may be on every tourist’s bucket list, but sunset at Uluru is truly breathtaking. As the sun begins to set, the colours of the sky change creating a beautiful backdrop for Uluru. The rock changes from bright orange to deep red and then to a dark silhouette. There's a sense of tranquility as the desert quiets down and the stars begin to twinkle in the sky. It's a great time for stargazing and experiencing the peacefulness of the outback. And perfect for proposing and looking forward to all the possibilities of your life together.

If you’re willing to get up mega-early, sunrise at Uluru is an even more magical experience. As the sun slowly rises over the horizon, the colors of the sky change from deep blues to oranges, pinks, and purples. When the first rays of light hit the top of Uluru, they create a stunning contrast between the bright orange rock and the blue sky. The silence and stillness of the desert in the early morning add to the atmosphere. Sunrise at Uluru is peaceful, magical, and perfect for proposal photos.

But don’t forget the multiplicity of other opportunities the Red Centre and the Outback in general offers in May, June, July, August and September.

Tropical beaches and waters

If sand, sea, sailing and snorkelling are your thing, head north. The Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, the many fantastic locations along the West Australian Coast. Just remember to insure the ring! I’ve lost count of the number of “dropped the ring in the sand/sea” stories I’ve heard!

Obviously you’ll need to avoid cyclone season, so May, June, July, August, September and October are all good months to choose.

Fabulous urban locations

Stick close to home, or head off to explore a different city. City proposals work 24/7 all year round. Each season and each city has its own vibe.

You might coordinate with an event or festival, of which there are many. Give the nod to your best-beloved’s interests by where and when you choose to drop to one knee. Whatever and where ever you choose there will be no shortage of fabulous, or iconic, or quirky backdrops for photos.

Proposing with a bang

New Year’s Eve. Sydney Harbour. You might want to spring for a hotel room or restaurant overlooking the bridge and the fireworks. Or, do the deed among all of the revellers as the year turns. Word to the wise. It might be a good idea to leave the expensive ring at home and propose with a fun substitute (a la Breakfast at Tiffany’s). Dropping the ring in a huge, heaving crowd is not going to end well.

But Sydney isn’t the only city with fab fireworks on New Year’s Eve. One of the others might work for you. As might staying at home and watching it all play out on the TV screen, with a glass of bubbles in your hand and the ring box to hand.

PS: You can propose without a ring! The important thing is the question and the answer. Your proposal can be as simple or elaborate as you like. You can shop for a ring together, later. Or you can forgo the ring altogether in favour of something else. One of my friends opted for a ute instead (they lived on a farm and she always wanted her own ute.)

A few words of advice about timing

Seriously rethink any impulse you might have to add a proposal to another celebration, particularly if that celebration is specific to your partner. In my book, proposing on the day your partner graduates, your partner’s birthday, the day your partner gets a promotion at work etc, downgrades their perception of your appreciation of their achievement. Celebrate with them. Make sure they know how impressed your are. And propose on another day.

Thanks for reading!