yes and no it did not. i think it's more special when two people decide what their future will be like together instead of the guy taking control of it all just for traditions sake. do we really want to live like we used to? okay then, we can stop going to work or voting! haha

We talked about getting married before the actual proposal. When he did propose it was still a special occasion.

We definitely talked about getting married before the proposal. We both knew it was inevitable. I had mentioned in conversation to him before the type of rings I like, but he picked it out completely. It did not make it any less special. I was still very surprised and happy.

yea we talked about it first and it was even more special when we did get married because of all the excitement that was built up

Yes. It is best to discuss it. I think especially for the man. He certainly would not want to give a ring to someone that is going to sit there and wish it never happened. It does not make it less special. It actually gives a woman the little anxious feeling and wonderment of "when and where is this going to happen"

He completly took me by surprise when he proposed. I think that made it more special, throwing in the element of surprise. By the way, He had picked out a beautiful ring.

Yes, we talked about it. We had been together for over 9 years before we were engaged, and over 10 years by the time we got married. I don't think it makes it any less special. Deciding to spend the rest of your life with someone is a big decision. I think it's best to talk to each other, and make sure that you're on the same page with regards to the "big decisions" (like kids, work, etc). It's very sad when one person wants to have kids, and the other one is very much not interested in having any at all. Or, one person expects one partner to remain at home with children and the other person disagrees. All that could have come out in discussion before the wedding. A total surprise is nice (and a little romantic, I guess), but you can know you're marrying someone, and still be surprised by the timing and method of their proposal. I was :) ------- Edit: Oh yeah- about the ring. I had showed him rings in jewelry stores that I liked. When the time came for him to buy one, he actually went out and had one made for me. It was everything I liked about the ones I pointed out, but designed and made just for me. There isn't another ring in the world exactly like it - and I love it.

Yes we did because she asked me to marry her. The actual proposal was less special. She didn't seemed impressed at all.