Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

The moment when a man asks a woman to be his wife ranks pretty high on the list of life’s most memorable moments. But not all brides-to-be remember it fondly.

A new survey of more than 3,000 people by The Knot.com and AskMen.com finds that 1 in 4 women didn’t love how their man popped the question, saying they wished their fella had been more romantic, more original, more private or less over the top. In a likely related finding, nearly 80% of men said they planned the proposal without any help. We’re guessing these are the same men who hate asking for directions.

Thirty percent of men also said they went it alone in picking out a ring, but according to brides, it’s only about 18%. Still, grooms-to-be hit the mark in the ring department, with 96% of brides saying their bling is exactly what they wanted. Maybe those ring finder apps are coming in handy.

Men shied away from showing off the ring online though, with nearly 30% saying it’s a tacky move on social networking sites. The majority of couples did post the news of their engagement on Facebook, however, after calling their parents first. Getting Mom and Dad’s blessing is still a do for most, with 57% of men and 63% of women saying it’s important. Guys also kept to tradition by getting down on bended knee to pop the question, a custom only 49% of women feel is essential.

While some brides were less than thrilled with how their guy proposed, one leading man would get a “Yes!” from 43% of women, no matter how he asked: Jake Gyllenhaal. Men, on the other hand, would ask for Jessica Alba’s hand in marriage if given the opportunity. Fellas, she’s already taken!