While she may get giddy at the thought of the proposal, it can be a little more stressful for you. From popping the question to picking out the ring, it can be overwhelming for those of us who are ready to take the next step. Here are some tips from Carats & Cake, the premier network representing the very best in the wedding industry. 

The proposer’s new best friend and wedding expert, Jess Levin is CEO and founder of the wedding website  CaratsAndCake.com, has some great tips to make the proposal process a little easier for guys who are ready to pop the big question.

1. Cost is based on the 4 C’S: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat

The cost of an engagement ring can vary vastly on four components: cut, color, clarity and carat. These components will determine the price of the ring and can be adjusted to your budget. Rare cuts, like oval, can drive up the price. While color can drive up the price of a diamond the colorless diamond is the most coveted and expensive. The clarity of a diamond is measured on a spectrum from flawless to imperfect. Finally, Carat comes down to weight, in this case, the heavier the better.

2. Insure the ring
As engagement rings are extremely costly, it’s important to get them insured before she says YES! If you own a home, you can put your new bling on your current policy, however if you rent you will need to get a separate policy to ensure the ring. You will need to get an appraisal from your jeweler, which you can often get before you pick up the ring so you are covered right away.

3. Decide if you want to have an over the top proposal or a simple heartfelt proposal
There are two types of proposals: the over the top and the simple heartfelt. One is not better than the other, it is about what feels right to you and what is personal to you as a couple. If you opt for the over the top route, you might need to enlist some friends for help or better yet you can leave it to the experts and hire a proposal consultant.