Are you thinking of proposing this Valentine's Day? If so, here are a few things you need to know.

A proposal should be done privately, just between the two of you. Yes, you see people on the news proposing in front of thousands of people or maybe a friend proposed in front of dinner guests at some sort of gathering. Occasionally you might catch someone proposing at a restaurant or some other public place. But it's not a good thing.

The reason you shouldn't do this is because it's not fair to the person you're proposing to. She will not feel free to say "no", if in fact she isn't ready for marriage. Or maybe she needs time to think about the question. She'll feel rushed into an answer that may not be correct. You don't want her to marry you just because she felt pressured into it; it's a disaster waiting to happen. Start your new life together on the right foot.

If you still think you need to include friends and family, you can throw an engagement party after she says "yes", and both of you can announce the good news together.

Here are a few romantic ideas for popping the question:

Have an indoor picnic complete with picnic blanket, basket and fresh summer flowers. Fill the basket with all sorts of picnic foods and the ring box. When she starts taking food out of the basket, she will come across the ring box and bam, you can pop the question.

Weather permitting, you can go for a walk to a secluded area and when you sit down for a rest, pull the ring from you pocket, get on one knee and ask your love to marry you.

Make a romantic dinner for two. Use roses, candles, soft music, wine glasses and nice dishes to decorate. If you're not a good cook, buy dinner for two and put it on your own dishes at home. Propose to her during dinner.

Plan an evening out, do anything from dinner, dancing, go to a show or go for a drive. Because it's Valentine's Day, add things to your evening like flowers and other Valentine's Day things. Then when the evening is over, pull the ring out and pop the question.

Go for wine tasting and a tour at a winery. Buy a bottle of wine and when sharing it together give her the ring box to open. Ask her or have a note or poem in the box with the ring asking her to marry you.

Plan a romantic weekend getaway and propose when the moment feels right.

Whichever way you choose to propose, make it heartfelt and have fun. After all, you will be spending the rest of your lives together.

Congratulations and I hope you have a long and happy marriage.

About the Author

L.A. Hunter is the author of "Romeo's Playbook: A Man's Guide for Enhancing His Relationship and Sex Life." Along with being a romance consultant for other websites she is the founder of http://www.RomeosPlaybook.com, where men and women can get romantic tips, ideas and advice for their relationship.