With all that love in the air, it’s no surprise that wedding proposals are particularly popular this time of year. Right now, countless people are feverishly putting the finishing touches on a perfected, rehearsed plan to propose this Valentine’s Day, with every last detail thought out and orchestrated. Maybe even a few women are breaking with tradition and proposing marriage to their beau. Good for you.

If popping the question is in your near future, maybe even this weekend, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1) Be yourself. No matter how you ask for one’s hand in marriage, it should be genuine and real. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.

2) Keep it manageable. If you’re trying to coordinate a Blue Angels fly-over timed perfectly to her favorite song while you ride a unicycle with a single red rose clenched in your teeth, you are trying too hard. Something is bound to go wrong, and you probably don’t want to mess this up. There’s something to be said for simplicity.

3) But don’t skimp. You’ve no doubt heard all about the fairytale weddings and the expectations that go along with proposals and weddings, and they are true – to an extent. Many women have clear cut ideas about how a proposal should go, from where and when and how. If you know that your partner has something specific in mind, do what you can to make it happen. You’ll be pleased with the answer.

I’m eager to hear how your Valentines proposal works out. Drop me a line and let me know what creative ideas you came up with to make it memorable. Good luck! Oh, and after you get the “yes,” I know a great place in Nebraska you should consider for your wedding.

Adessa Grundman is the Wedding Specialist at Lied Lodge & Conference Center, Nebraska City, Nebraska. In her 5+ years in the wedding industry, she’s helped more than 200 couples say “I Do” with style.