Sisters are doing it for themselves

2008 is a leap year, which according to a tradition going back to St. Patrick and Bridgin of Kildare in 5th century Ireland, means women can propose to their potential spouse rather than wait for their man to do the deed!

It may seem like a scary thing to do, after all we are no longer governed by Queen Margaret of Scotland who passed a law fining men who refused a ladies proposal. Men who declined a woman's proposal had to pay her compensation ranging from a kiss to a £1 to a silk gown.

Women who are sick of gazing wistfully into the jeweller's window or dreamily flicking through bridal magazines can take inspiration from queen of cool Sienna Miller who has got in early and proposed to boyfriend Rhys Iffans just a month into the leap year. In fact one in ten proposals comes from the woman according to new research by the National Wedding Show.

Tradition dictates that proposals should be made on 29th February or leap day, so with just days to go, frustrated women up and down the country should start plotting now!

One distinct advantage to girls who pop the question is that they can be sure of the proposal of their dreams, rather than an unromantic disappointment. According to recent National Wedding Show survey, only 38% of men get down on one knee and a whopping 43% of people wish their marriage proposal had being more romantic.

Some women may opt for a complete role reversal and present her loved one with an 'engagement' ring; some may buy their own ring whilst others choose to offer a different form of keepsake such as a watch or cufflinks. "There's no right or wrong way to do it" states Alexandra Campos of the National Wedding Show, adding "it's great to follow tradition but I think today's society is more open minded, so its great to see women turning tradition on its head and not waiting around for men."

The next stop for brave brides-to-be who hope to have their proposal accepted has to be the National Wedding Show - which can take you from being over the moon right through to the honeymoon. We're told size doesn't matter, and we don't like to boast but the show is officially the UK's largest 'wedding shop' with over 250 wedding experts and five inspirational features, all under one roof. Couples will find thousands of ideas to inspire the most important day of their life.

The National Wedding Show takes place 22 - 24 February at London Olympia and 14 - 16 March at Birmingham NEC with further shows taking place at early autumn. So don't delay, pop the question today and head down to the UK's biggest and best wedding show experience. Tickets are priced £10 - 16 and are available online at Nationalweddingshow.co.uk.