It's that time of year again – love is in the air! Though many people regard Valentine's Day as a "Hallmark Holiday," or one only celebrated so that major corporations can make money, it maintains its romanticism for most of us. Even if you don't do gifts, who doesn't love an excuse to have a "just-the-two-of-us" night with their sweethearts?

For a lot of couples, though, it's a lot more than just flowers and candy. According to a survey, some 4 million Americans expect to be proposed to on February 14^th. There's nothing wrong with popping the question on the most romantic night of the year – you just have to make sure you do it properly! Here are some things you should know.

Have the Conversation Prior

It sounds like common sense, but plenty of boyfriends out there have done it: never propose without having had the marriage conversation before. Though where and how you do it should be a surprise, the fact that you're planning on eventually marrying this person shouldn't.

Book Reservations Long, Long in Advance

A lot of people can't have a romantic evening without a meal, but a survey from last year showed that 44% of couples are planning on going out to dinner that night, and 53% said they make reservations more than a week in advance. If you wait too long, you're going to have a hard time getting a reservation – especially because it falls on a Friday in 2014. Don't miss the boat!

Pop the Question in Private

Considering so many people are expecting to be proposed to on Valentine's Day, it's safe to assume that it's a romantic gesture. That being said, 69% of survey respondents said it's cheesy to get down on one knee in a restaurant full of people. Our advice: go out to dinner and have a nice night together, but wait until you're home or somewhere private (or with friends and family) to actually do the asking. Plenty of other people are celebrating the romantic holiday in the restaurant on that night; your proposal likely won't go as planned if you do it at dinner.

Don’t Overspend on a Ring

It's important to research a retailer before making a ring purchase, especially around Valentine's Day. According to the Better Business Bureau, some people complained that their rings weren't delivered on time for Valentine's Day, that they got scammed by "too good to be true" V-Day sales, or that the company jacked up the price closer to the holiday.

Every year, people sell their pre-owned (but often never used), gemologist-certified jewelry on Have You Seen the Ring. Because of our process for selling an engagement ring, you're always getting a legitimate diamond ring for a fraction of the cost of a jewelry retailer (see the process outlined in our free eBook). That's one option you can use to avoid scams and get amazing jewelry at a fraction of the cost of buying from a jeweler.