NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - It's almost Valentines day. And that means chocolate, candy and...engagement rings. Here at 5 Tips we're going to lend a hand to all those fellas out there who are planning on popping the question.

Here are some ideas on how to get her to say "yes."

Let's face it, the only way you can be sure to get a "yes" is to make sure you've talked about your future together.

If she changes the subject or isn't comfortable with the topic of marriage, chances are, your proposal efforts will be in vain. If you're pretty sure, you're going to get a positive response, now's the time to start planning the event.

"You can't just bring the ring home anymore," says Carley Roney of TheKnot.com. "There's an expectation that plans were made."

It's not about your dream proposal...it's about theirs. In other words, don't go broadcasting your proposal on a Jumbotron or a blimp if your girlfriend is shy or hates crowds.

And, according to TheKnot.com, about 90 percent of brides do not want to see their proposals on a big screen. "That can be mortifying for some women," says Roney.

And less than 2 percent of brides want to get engaged at a sports venue. The proposal has everything to do with who you're asking, says Michael Bloomberg of AnExclusiveEngagement.com.

Think about what is sentimental to you, says wedding planner Kelly McWilliams. If you met while walking your dog, you may want to include the pets in the proposal. Or if you had a memorable first date, maybe you'll want to revisit that place.

If coming up with a romantic or sentimental proposal seems more complicated than high school physics, don't worry. There are plenty of proposal idea mills out there for you to peruse.

At TheGroomGuide.com for example, some suggestions include writing your proposal in sand on the beach or attaching the ring to the center of a rose.

At theknot.com some ideas include setting up a scavenger hunt for your loved one and have them follow the trail until the last destination...where you'll be waiting with a ring in hand. Or, if weather permits, you can build a snowman and set the ring box in Frosty's hand.

If you still can't come up with an ounce of romantic ingenuity, there are professionals out there who will consult and coordinate your proposal for you. Organizations like www.2propose.com or www.anexclusiveengagement.com charge hundreds of dollars for the less romantically inclined to wow their brides-to-be.

If you're going to be going down on bended knee, don't forget the ring.

"It's a mental symbol," says Roney. If you're not sure of what style is best for your lady, stick with a round or square diamond. If she doesn't like it, you can always have it altered later.

And once you have the ring in your possession, don't let it leave your person, says Roney. "Don't hand off an expensive ring to a restaurant maitre d'," she says.

A survey by TheKnot.com indicates that size really does matter...when it comes to diamonds. Sixty-six percent of women said size was more important than quality. This is especially true in the Northeast than in other parts of the country according to the online jewelry retailer bluenile.com.

If you're trying to scrape up two months' salary worth to buy that stone, there are some shortcuts. Instead of going for a 1-carat diamond, buy a .90-carat diamond. You can save 20 percent and that could mean thousands of dollars, says Roney.

As romantic as it sounds to fish your engagement ring out of a beer glass, or to wipe cake frosting off the diamond, putting a ring in any kind of food is a recipe for disaster.

"I've heard many stories of people being rushed to the emergency room," says Bloomberg. And plus, "It's just not that appetizing," says Roney.

Another no-no is to make the proposal too complicated. You don't want to be in a situation where if one little thing goes wrong, the whole event is ruined.

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Gerri Willis is a personal finance editor for CNN Business News and the host for Open House. E-mail comments to 5tips@cnn.com.