Proposing is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking things you’ll go through. You want it to be breathtaking, romantic, heartfelt, and meaningful.
The pressure to get it perfect can cause an exciting event to become a daunting task. Don’t let that happen! All you need is a good idea, a little planning, and a heart full of love.
Need help finding ideas for how to propose? We’ve simplified things for you by finding the 10 best ideas for any type of couple.
Do you have a favorite movie or song together? Do you binge watch the same series over and over? Why not include that in your proposal?
Recreate a romantic moment from your favorite movie or TV show. Like this boyfriend who acted out the iconic song-and-dance scene from 10 Things I Hate About You. There are many ways to plan a Harry Potter proposal. And these Friends fans recreated Chandler & Monica’s engagement on a replica set.
You don’t have to copy your favorite movie to include it in your proposal. You could rent a theater for a private screening, or create a movie trailer that turns your love story into something riveting and creative.
And if it’s music you two love, it’s easy to include your favorite song in any kind of proposal. Have it play in the background as you pop the question, or hire a musician to record a custom cover.
So choose your ring and get ready to hear the most simple yet beautiful word: “Yes.”
Take a trip down memory lane and relive your first date. It may have seemed so simple at the time, yet it ended up being a pivotal moment in your life. Recreate it in a romantic and memorable way, complete with your big proposal.
If your first date would make a lackluster proposal, consider recreating moments from your first few months of dating. It will be exciting to revisit those times when your love was all butterflies and what-ifs.
Here are some core moments you could return to as part of your proposal:
Your partner will be impressed that you remembered such fine details of your early days together. You’ll both experience the first-date jitters as you become an engaged couple and start experiencing even more firsts together.
Do you want to freeze this moment in time? Have a professional photographer capture your proposal.
There are many ways to pull off this exciting plan. You could prepare your partner for a professional session, and then surprise them by proposing in the middle of it. This will allow your photographer to set up for the best angle while still keeping it a surprise.
The other option is to keep the photographer hidden and have them capture the proposal from a distance. The photos may not turn out as great, since you won’t be in communication with the photographer at the moment, but with careful planning you could capture an unforgettable moment.
Either way, be sure to get some great posed and romantic portraits with your photographer. Ask if you can have a couple of photos delivered with rushed editing so you can post and share the news as soon as possible.
If you want a big, elaborate proposal, go for it! Especially if your partner will appreciate the grand gesture.
There are many ways to make your proposal over-the-top, and you should choose something that feels true to who you are as a couple. Below we’ve outlined some of our top ideas for a show-stopping proposal.
Ever dream of making it on the Jumbotron at your favorite sports game? If you and your partner are both big fans, this is a fun way to incorporate your favorite team (and the other fans) in your proposal.
But how do you propose on a Jumbotron? You’ll need to contact your stadium or arena in advance to set that up. They’ll likely charge a fee – some venues run less than $100 while some reach $1,000 or more.
Whisk your love off to a remote location to pop the question. A helicopter, seaplane, or chartered boat can take you on a romantic adventure.
It’s a unique experience that will lead to one of the most significant moments of your life. A professional proposal planner can help make sure your big plans go off without a hitch.
Fireworks
Book a professional fireworks display to mark the moment your partner says “yes.” It’s romantic and distinct, and they won’t believe the production is all about them. You can stage the show just for you two, or invite loved ones to celebrate with you.
Sometimes an intimate proposal is all you need to seal the deal. Whether you are shy or just appreciate quiet time together, sometimes life’s biggest moments are small yet meaningful. Nick Mueller from HawaiianIslands.com has seen plenty of grooms get down one knee and mentions that
“Public proposals can be tastefully done, but for the most part, they aren’t as romantic as the proposer dreams. People have this impression that they have to go all out in order for proposals to be romantic.Couples are saying that spontaneous proposals brought them closer as a couple and were more romantic than any planned gesture could have possibly been!”
Keep reading to discover sweet and simple proposal ideas.
You and your partner likely value your quality time at home together, so that could be the perfect place to propose. Make the moment a little sweeter by ordering their favorite meal or cooking something special for them. Include your pets if you have any, or light some candles and decorate with flowers.
If you plan on exchanging gifts for an anniversary or holiday, you can surprise your partner by gifting them an engagement ring. They’ll be surprised to learn what’s actually in that oversized box under the Christmas tree, or they’ll wonder how you snuck the ring box into a stocking.
This is a great way to include family members, kids, or pets in the proposal as well, since you may have company over for the gift exchange.
Take your partner to their favorite restaurant or somewhere fancy you wouldn’t typically try. You don’t have to get down on one knee if that’s not your style – it’s ok if the entire restaurant doesn’t know what’s happening. But it’s still a great way to make a sweet gesture and ask one of the most important questions of your life.
You two are likely past due for a vacation, so why not plan one? Your romantic getaway can be complete with sightseeing, great food, and quality time. And the proposal will make the vacation the best one ever.
Choose a spot you’ve never visited or somewhere you often go together. No matter what, it will allow you to escape the day-to-day and make an incredible memory together.
Your partner will be excited to spread the news to loved ones about the proposal, and a party will have everyone present and ready to celebrate.
It could be a surprise for the entire group or just for your partner. Surprising all the guests might be a little more challenging (we recommend planning it around your partner’s birthday or another holiday), but it will reduce the chances of the secret getting out.
If you tell all the guests the plan, it will be fun to have their help planning as long as nobody spills the beans.
Maybe you shopped for rings together, or maybe you’re just terrible at keeping secrets. No matter why you’re skipping the surprise, your proposal can still be exciting and memorable.
Send your partner on a scavenger hunt around town. They can find clues at important spots in your relationship or places that represent who you are as a couple.
Or, you can plan a big night out on the town where you both can dress up to the nines and treat yourselves to great food and drink. Hire a limo or a horse-drawn carriage to help you travel in style.
Plan a party together, and you can surprise your loved ones instead of surprising each other with the proposal.
Do you have a favorite movie or song together? Do you binge watch the same series over and over? Why not include that in your proposal?
Recreate a romantic moment from your favorite movie or TV show. Like this boyfriend who acted out the iconic song-and-dance scene from 10 Things I Hate About You. There are many ways to plan a Harry Potter proposal. And these Friends fans recreated Chandler & Monica’s engagement on a replica set.
You don’t have to copy your favorite movie to include it in your proposal. You could rent a theater for a private screening, or create a movie trailer that turns your love story into something riveting and creative.
And if it’s music you two love, it’s easy to include your favorite song in any kind of proposal. Have it play in the background as you pop the question, or hire a musician to record a custom cover.
If your partner loves posting on Instagram, create a scene that is sure to go viral. Head to a sunflower patch, botanical garden, or scenic park. Or rent a trendy space and fill it with flowers, candles, and draping.
If you have an aesthetic eye, this may be easy to achieve. But if decorating is outside your wheelhouse, hire a professional florist or designer to make your proposal spot truly magical.
You can book a photographer to ensure the photos are perfect, or enlist help from a friend who knows how to capture images that trend.
A nature-inspired proposal will be the perfect fit if you are an outdoorsy couple. Go on a hike, rent kayaks, find a waterfall, or get swept away on a nature trail.
Whether you choose a scenic locale or a romantic hideaway, your outdoorsy proposal will be both memorable and true to who you are.
Pack a picnic, bring your pets, or watch the sun rise or set. Marrying each other is a natural choice, so propose in a natural location.
Whether you choose an over-the-top proposal, or something small and intimate, you are sure to wow your partner with the thought and love you put into this incredible moment.
So don’t let the pressure get to you, and know that it won’t go 100% as planned. But as long as you two are in love and ready for this incredible journey together, even an imperfect proposal will be undeniably perfect.
