Most girls dream of the day they upgrade their title from "girlfriend" to "fiancée." With the holiday season (and Valentine's Day) coming up, there's going to be an increase in the number of proposals. This one is dedicated to the gentlemen who want to propose, but want to do it right. Follow these simple instructions and I guarantee your girlfriend will be thrilled when you finally pop the question.

There are a couple of things you need to do before you buy an engagement ring and start planning:

1. Figure out if she wants the proposal to be public or private.

Some women like grand proposals—for example, on the projector at a football game or during a concert—and some prefer much more intimate proposals with close family members or friends. Others dream of a one-on-one proposal. Make sure you know what she truly wants because if you screw this up, your girlfriend will be very uncomfortable.

2. Know what type of ring she likes.

I know this might sound shallow—a ring is a ring, right? But the type of ring is a big deal to a lot of women. If you don't know what she likes, look at her Pinterest or ask her best friends. If you still don't know, ask her yourself! (But leave enough time between this question and the proposal for her to forget you even asked, or else she'll know what's coming.)

Don't give your girlfriend a rose-gold, single-stone, two-carat ring if what she really wants is a white gold, halo, cushion-cut, 1.5-carat ring. (It might sound like jargon, but it really makes a difference.)

Once you've bought the perfect ring and started planning the proposal, follow these simple steps:

3. Ask her parents first.

It's the gentlemanly thing to do. If you don't have their approval, you need to step up your game or question if she is "the one" after all.

4. Make sure her nails are done.

Some women don't care about their nails—if your girlfriend is one of them, feel free to skip this step. If she likes having her nails painted, though, you need to keep this in mind. Make sure she has an appointment to get them done around the time you're planning on proposing, or suggest a color for her to paint them the night before. Remember: subtlety is key here.

5. Do something romantic.

The story of your proposal is a story she will tell hundreds of times. Make sure it's a story worth telling. Do something that holds meaning for you both.

Some ideas: propose at the place you first met, take her on a romantic picnic with a nice bottle of wine or champagne or go ice skating and pop the question in front of the fireplace.

6. Get down on one knee.

This is the most important part of the proposal. If you don't get down on one knee, it will totally ruin the moment.

7. Have a speech prepared.

Tell her how much you love her, and what kind of future you want to have with her. Bonus points if you add a nostalgic memory! And make sure to end it all with, "Will you marry me?"

8. Make sure to capture the moment.

A lot of men have begun hiring a photographer to get a photo of the moment she says, "Yes!" This will capture the moment—and the look on her face—forever. If you don't have the money or the desire for there to be a secret photographer, make sure you have a fully charged camera ready to get a post-engagement photo yourself.

If you follow these steps, you will make your girlfriend—ahem, fiancée—one happy woman. Congratulations!