A Girl's Guide to Popping the Question

"The best part about proposing to your man? You decide when it happens," says Light. "But that doesn't mean that there aren't some things you need to think about before getting down on one knee."

Light, also known as "The Wedding Anthropologist" due to her background in anthropology, and her passion for weddings around the world, has become an authority on destination, inter-faith and multi-cultural weddings. She has been quoted and mentioned in several publications, including Modern Bride and Hudson Valley Magazine, and has also done extensive TV and radio interviews on the topics of weddings and event planning. She is the founder and president of Lisa Light Ltd., an omni-media, special events company.

Light provides the following tips to those getting ready to pop the question:

1. Is it time to make things official? "Make sure you're honest about your motives for getting married," says Light. "Be sure you're both ready to commit for the long haul and not proposing out of desperation."
2. It's not just about you. "Cater your proposal to his personality," she says. "Be sensitive about his ego. He may not be expecting it."
3. Think memorable. Plan a proposal with your shared history in mind. "You need to choose something that's meaningful to both of you and be very attentive to the details. Take the time you need to plan well to show your loved one you take the idea very seriously," explains Light.
4. Focus on the moment. "Think about what's important: that you want to spend the rest of your life with this one person," says Light. "If the best laid plans fall apart, or you're too nervous to say what's in your heart, it's the sentiment — not the content — that will win his heart."