Last week, we asked you to share the details of your proposal story and you responded in your hundreds, resulting in the largest Irish engagement survey ever conducted! Our research shows that Irish couples have at least one thing in common with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry - they’re fans of the casual, unflashy engagement!
We now know that a whopping 89% of Irish engagements are “low-key and intimate”, and 35% contain none of the typically romantic elements we recognise from TV and movies, such as champagne and a stay in a fancy hotel. The survey also busts the myth that Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, as less than 1% of Irish couples get engaged on February 14th - in fact, the majority of Irish proposers are popping the question on an ordinary day!
But this doesn’t mean that Irish men and women are botching their proposals - far from it! 93% of proposees describe the big moment as “romantic” and although 69% of couples had discussed marriage beforehand, a whopping 86% were taken by surprise. Well done, guys! The results have also painted a picture of how the average Irish proposal goes down...
Key Moments in an Irish Engagement:
Having “the chat” with the Parents
Getting the go-ahead from the parents is clearly important to Irish couples - 67% of Irish men and women take time before popping the question to discuss it with their other half’s Mum and Dad!
Buying the Ring (and Hoping they Like it!)
57% take a gamble by purchasing an engagement ring before the proposal, with just 28% using a token ring as a stand-in.
Choosing the Location
The vast majority of Irish people are too shy to propose in public, with just 2% choosing to do it in a restaurant. Most Irish proposers don’t want anyone else around when they pop the question, which is why 33% do it on holiday, 23% trek to a scenic spot outdoors and 19% favour Prince Harry’s method of planning a quiet night at home.
Getting Down on One Knee
A whopping 77% of Irish proposers get down on one knee, proving that some traditions are here to stay!
Sound familiar? We have a whole post about why it's OK to have a small and simple proposal!
Featured Image: Happy Boxes Shop
