Planning a proposal is potentially one of the most nerve-wracking things you’ll ever do! And it’s likely those jitters are making it hard to decide how to propose…from adding your own spin on things to choosing a tried and tested method, there are a number of ways to ask your other half for their hand in marriage. You can pop the question in a cute yet simple way, or arrange a completely unique surprise – whatever you choose, the moment is guaranteed to be memorable. In fact, you may want to invest in a proposal photographer to capture the event…
Public proposals
Pick a favourite place, this may be where you first met, a romantic park, the beach or a fancy hotel rooftop. Try to choose a location that holds personal significance to both of you – such as where you first met, first dated or even where you first went on holiday! Once there, drop down on one knee and pop the question!
A surprise performance
Hire a local choir, singer or brass band for the occasion and throw your loved one a surprise performance. You can even ask them to play your girlfriend or boyfriend’s favourite love song. If they can incorporate your fiancé’s name into the lyrics, even better!
Send your unsuspecting fiancé-to-be a bouquet of their favourite blooms accompanied by a card with the words ‘will you marry me?’ The flowers can then take pride of place in your home in the weeks that follow as a reminder of the special moment!
Propose after the curtain call
Get in touch with the stage manager of your local production company and propose after the cast’s final curtain call.
Arrange a surprise proposal with a street caricaturist
Ask the caricaturist to draw a picture of the two of you, complete with word bubbles that say, ‘will you marry me?’
Propose at an aquarium
Chose the biggest fish tank, and ask the divers at an aquarium to put on a proposal show using a waterproof sign that says, ‘will you marry me?’
Take your loved one dancing
Head out for a night of dancing and ask the bandleader or DJ to pass you the mic at the end of the night. Dedicate a song to your loved one and propose on the dance floor.
Hire a skywriter
This grand gesture involves hiring a skywriter to spell out your proposal for all to see. You may want to go for a picnic in the countryside or enjoy drinks at a rooftop bar to watch as the proposal takes shape.
Take out a full-page ad in a newspaper
If you’re a fan of reading the newspaper on a Sunday over a leisurely breakfast, this is the perfect way to propose! You can even order a bouquet of beautiful romantic flowers and display them on the breakfast table.
Call in to a radio station
This proposed method requires you to ensure your fiancé-to-be is listening to their favourite station at the time!
Plan a treasure hunt
Arrange a treasure hunt that ends with a marriage proposal. This could be at home or a tour of his or her favourite spots all over town.
Plan a romantic getaway
Choose a destination you both adore or somewhere completely new! You may even wish to propose on the plane on the way there using the loudspeaker system.
Plan a picnic
Buy a hamper, such as those available on Serenata Flowers, brimming with an assortment of sweet and savoury treats and a bottle of bubbles! Choose a romantic location and hide the ring box inside the hamper.
Head to the beach
Pick a night when the sunset is spectacular, build a sandcastle and place the ring on the highest tower. Alternatively, go for a romantic walk, and just as the sun starts to set, get down on one knee and pop the big question against a beautiful backdrop.
Throw a proposal party
Get friends and family together and plan a surprise proposal soirée. You can even get a handful of them to hold a bunch of helium balloons brandishing the letters ‘will you marry me?’ Once the question has been popped, this event can double up as an engagement party.
Keep it subtle
Spell out your proposal using glow-in-the-dark letters and stick them to your ceiling. Get into bed, turn off the lights and wait for the gasp. This is a cost-effective yet very bold move and one that will create a great memory.
A cute proposal
Use refrigerator magnet letters to write out your proposal. Wait patiently and listen for the shouts of joy when they next go to grab a snack. Alternatively, tell your loved one her favourite food is waiting in the fridge and send them running to get it! They’ll certainly get a surprise when they get there.