Everything you need to know about leap year proposals

Initially, this permission was only granted once every seven years, yet it was eventually agreed that proposals could take place every 29^th February, the leap day, instead.

While the concept itself is now long since outdated, the idea of proposing during a leap year still proves an enticing prospect for couples due to the uniqueness of the date itself.

This could in part be due to the breaking down of proposal stereotypes, with more and more women opting to pop the question to their partner. A survey of 10,000 UK residents found that in 2010, 5% of engaged or married women had proposed to their partners. In 2019, this number had more than tripled to 16%.

And yet while the leap year provides plenty of opportunities to propose, many women say if they were to propose to their partners during a leap year, 52% would still opt to do so on 29 February, the leap day itself, further highlighting its allure as a special day to pop the all-important question.

Should you propose on a leap year?

Many cultures have different attitudes to proposing during a leap year. Chinese culture, for example, sees leap years as a time of fortune and positivity.

Here in Britain, vintage jewellery specialists William May found that 66% of men and 61% of women said “yes” when asked if women should ignore tradition and propose to men. What’s more, The Marriage Proposal Survey found that 76% of men said they thought women should propose to their partner.

Ultimately the decision to propose should come down to far more than the date itself, but the symbolic nature of the day, plus the freedom to then choose your own celebratory date for the anniversary each year ensures the leap day remains a popular choice for many.

Leap year proposals dos and don’ts

No matter who is doing the proposing, the dos and don’ts of leap year proposals follow the same rules as any other proposal.

You’ll want the proposal to be a surprise, but not one completely out of the blue, with 94% of couples in the UK discussing marriage before getting engaged.

The location is also extremely important, as you want to choose a place that your significant other would like to be proposed in. You may have the ideal situation in your mind, but remember the proposal is for them, so it should be the location they would find most special, which may not necessarily be yours.

You’ll also want to plan what you wish to say. While you’ll likely want to personalise the occasion, it can also help to keep it simple. After all, getting the message of “will you marry me?” is the main goal, so don’t lose sight of that.

Finally, while proposals can be stressful to organise, ultimately they should be fun and something you’ll both always remember. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your partner and look forward to all that comes once you hear that all-important yes!

What’s next?

After securing that yes, there’s plenty more to come to craft the perfect wedding.

One of the first things you’ll need to consider is the venue itself. From the size of the venue required, to knowing what suppliers are available, there are plenty of questions you’ll want to ask a venue when searching for the right location to tie the knot.

Don’t be afraid to ask the right questions, and you can be sure you end up with the perfect venue to host your wedding.

At the Royal Society of Chemistry at Burlington House, we pride ourselves on creating a truly memorable occasion for you and your guests. Click here for more information on our wedding offerings, or get in touch with a member of our experienced team.