Put a Ring on It
Do you hear that joyous chime in the air? It’s wedding bells, ringing just for you! Or it could also be a funeral march for your relationship. Some couples may not care about tying the knot but others consider it a crucial cornerstone—and successful partnerships are on the same page. With that, here are signs he’s ready to pop the question and a few indicators he’ll never do it.
Photo by Jesus Arias on Pexels
1. He’s a Bit Nervous
Try not to freak out if your man becomes nervous—it could be a sign of big things to come. Common indicators range from protecting his phone (so he can keep plans a secret) to seeming a touch aloof.
Photo by Brandon Hoogenboom on Unsplash
2. He’s Planned a Special Day
Did he just plan a romantic getaway out of the blue? While it’s nice to be whisked away for the weekend, spontaneous plans are often a huge sign that there’s something up his sleeve.
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash
3. He’s Suddenly Frugal
You know your partner better than anyone, which means you’ll spot any penny-pinching. Though saving money is smart in general, it’s also a common sign that he’s scrounging for your rock.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
4. His Friends Act Differently
This is a momentous occasion—of course he told his friends! And because his friends know, don’t be alarmed if they act a little differently. They’ve got a huge secret and are just waiting for the day it’s finally shared with you.
Photo by Jonathan Safa on Unsplash
5. You Spend More Time Together
Relationships mean time together, but incoming proposals bring couples even closer. He’ll plan more outings before popping the question, and frequent alone time is a clear sign that he has next steps in mind.
Photo by Ramon Hernandez on Pexels
6. He’s Cozying Up to Your Family
Partners want to be close with their in-laws, so pay attention if he starts brunching with your mom. They may even be in on the big day or at least know about his intentions.
Photo by Natalie Runnerstrom on Unsplash
7. A Special Occasion’s Coming Up
You’ve talked about marriage, he lives within a tight budget, and you enjoy a weekly date night—the only thing that’s missing is a special occasion. Birthdays and major holidays are all notoriously romantic, which means your next chapter could very well start this season.
8. Regular Talks About the Future
What’s a partnership that can’t engage in meaningful conversations? If you frequently discuss the future and find that your goals are aligned, you’re heading in the right direction.
Photo by George Coletrain on Unsplash
9. You Talk About Marriage
Break out the Pinterest board because he can’t stop talking about marriage! He wants your opinion on it, doesn’t dismiss the idea, and is overjoyed for the newlywed couples in your lives. All signs of good things to come.
Photo by Esther Tuttle on Unsplash
10. Spontaneous Interest in Jewelry
Let’s be real—no one just asks for your ring size. A sudden interest in jewelry doesn’t happen overnight, so break out the bubbly if he inquires about your favorite ring cut.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
However, as exciting as marriage proposals are, the brutal truth is that they don’t always happen. Let’s dive into some telltale signs you might not have similar plans for the future.
1. He Has Every Excuse
Men who don’t want to get married have every excuse in the book, which is a bad sign for two reasons. Firstly, you don’t want the same things. Secondly, it’s never good if he isn’t even upfront about his feelings.
2. There’s No Date Set
Hey, you got engaged! That’s great! Except he won’t set a date and clams up every time you ask him. The sad truth is that long, unplanned engagements often mean he bought a shut-up ring.
Photo by Blessing Ri on Unsplash
3. You Can’t Talk to Him
Partnerships crumble without effective communication. You should be able to talk about anything, including marriage plans. Even if you don’t agree with each other, loving partners still take the time to listen without avoiding the conversation altogether.
Photo by Keira Burton on Pexels
4. He Says He Isn’t Ready
There’s nothing wrong with being a little unsure…so long as you agree about your trajectory. If he still isn’t ready when you revisit the discussion, then there’s a larger conversation in store.
5. He Trash Talks Marriage
There’s a big difference between throwing you off the trail and hating marriage. That persistent negativity is a clear-cut sign of disinterest. If you want to get married, you need to speak with him about where he stands on the issue.
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels
6. You Have Misaligned Goals
Couples who grow together don’t always stay together—sometimes they gently veer onto different paths. Other couples, however, insist on staying together despite massive differences. If you two don’t agree on the future, it’s time for a hard evaluation.
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels
7. He Avoids Future Plans
Speaking of the future, the right partner is excited to spend theirs with you. The wrong partner won’t even discuss what’s next. If he dodges questions about upcoming plans, you’re probably not with your forever person.
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
8. He Downplays Commitment
Men who aren’t serious about the relationship aren’t serious about commitment either. Not only will he bash marriage, but he’ll also have a juvenile opinion on your partnership. Neither bodes well for longevity.
Photo by Liza Summer on Pexels
9. He Doesn’t Want to Get Married
Marriage isn’t for everyone and that’s okay! But if you personally want to tie the knot, you’ll need a very open discussion about what that means for your relationship. While some partners agree that a solid relationship is more than enough, others need that final step.
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels
10. A Gut Feeling
They always say you should trust your gut. If you have an honest feeling that he won’t propose, he probably won’t. The best thing you can do is sit him down and talk about your feelings, making a final decision from there.
