Hopefully, proposing to your girlfriend is something you'll only get to do once! Hopefully!!! Increase your chances to make that so by reading these tips on how to propose to your girlfriend.

1. Like all good lawyers, only ask the question if you know the answer! If you think there's a good chance she'll say "no" then she probably will! You obviously haven't given your courtship long enough!

2. If you're considering risking everything and proposing publicly ie at a ball game or in front of her family, then make sure you're extra certain she'll say yes! Otherwise you risk turning your happy occasion into the most humiliating experience of your life!

3. You really have to surprise the girl! Eliminate any chance of her finding out by only enlisting the help of trusted friends who can keep quiet.

4. Always personalize your engagement proposal! You know her better than anybody else so this should be easy. Never carbon copy an idea you read on the web or in a magazine!

5. Take a knee! Its corny and cliche but it's how since she was a little girl she always imagined her proposal would be, so don't let her down!

6. Guard the ring! Never risk losing it as part of your ingenious engagement scheme by giving it to the Cat to bring over or burying it in sand!

7. Keep good eye contact! She'll know that you mean it this way and also show confidence which she'll find attractive!

8. Ambiance is very important. Create the setting with candles, music, good food and dim lights! Most girls find this preferential to a huge public spectacle of a proposal!

9. Timing! If you would like a long proposal then propose in the spring! You could go for a spring wedding the following year! If you propose in the winter then it could be a very short engagement before you tie the knot!

10. Just relax! It'll go fine just as long as everything is planned like a military operation! This is your big moment, good luck!