A new survey of 2,000 engaged or married Americans found that just 39% of respondents gave their marriage proposals an “A+.” The average grade given to engagements was an A-, with 29% of respondents stating that their expectations were not met. Additionally, only 50% of respondents said they wouldn’t change anything if they could do their proposal all over again. The survey, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Blue Nile, revealed that the average person would change two things about their proposal.
When asked what they would change, 35% of respondents said they would change the location of the proposal, while 18% would change how the proposer delivered the ring. Surprisingly, only 36% of respondents said their partner actually got down on one knee during the proposal. Additionally, 30% of respondents stated that the “three months’ salary” rule for engagement ring spending is outdated, with over half not following this rule when buying their ring. The majority of respondents (68%) did not shop for their ring together with their partner, instead trusting their instincts to select something their partner would like.
Data from the survey also highlighted the impact of social media on proposal trends, with one in four Gen Z and millennial couples sharing engagement photos and videos on social media within an hour of the proposal. The most common diamond selections were princess cut and round brilliant, while white gold and yellow gold were the most common metals chosen for engagement rings. Blue Nile’s spokesperson noted that proposal trends are evolving, with lab-grown diamond and gemstone rings gaining popularity. Despite changing trends, the spokesperson emphasized the importance of the ring being a reflection of the couple’s unique love story.
The survey also identified the top five things couples would change about their engagements, with 35% wanting to change the location and 18% wishing to change how the ring was delivered. Other aspects that couples expressed interest in changing included friends and family involvement, weather during the proposal, and the words spoken during the proposal. Blue Nile’s spokesperson commented on the continual evolution of proposal trends across generations, highlighting the current popularity of mixed metals and maximalist styles. However, the spokesperson emphasized that finding the right ring remains a personal and meaningful way to visually represent a lifelong commitment.
