So you’re thinking about wedding bells and looking at rings. Proposing can be a daunting task, and when you couple that with the fear that your significant other might say no, it’s no wonder many people do it with shaking knees and sweaty palms.
While we can’t do much to ease your fears of rejection—an experience that is often a rite of passage—we can offer some creative, fun ways to ask your significant other to spend the rest of their life with you. After all, this is an event you’ll both remember for the rest of your lives. It should be a given that the actual proposal is as unique and fun as the person you love.
So let’s get into it! Whether you want ultimate romance or something spontaneous and fun, there are countless ways to pop the question. Finding one that fits your mood and personality is the first step.
A quick warning before we go any further: if you’re considering a very public proposal, an “all eyes on the two of you” event, be sure you know what the answer will be when you ask The Question. If you don’t, you run the risk of being pitied by thousands—and that’s not a good feeling. So, if you want a public proposal, gauge your significant other’s feelings about taking the next step first. Then, weeks or months later, you can surprise them with the ultimate proposal.
Let’s Get Started!
We’ll mix in fun and romance to give you a nice variety of options to choose from. Good luck!
- Recreate your first date together. Go to the restaurant or movie you enjoyed, and propose at the end.
- If you’re both sports fans, arrange in advance to have your proposal displayed on the big screen at the event. This is the “publicity proposal” we mentioned earlier!
- Set up a “secret admirer” day. Send anonymous flowers and gifts to your significant other’s workplace. At the end of the day, pick them up in a limo, have flowers and champagne ready, and propose at a top-notch restaurant.
- Plan a weekend mystery trip. Handle all the details without telling them where you’re going. Just let them know what to pack. If they love the beach, head to Florida or Hawaii. If they prefer the mountains, Montana or Tennessee will do the trick. Vegas is also a fantastic place to propose. Getting a room at the Bellagio or Wynn Las Vegas is as romantic as it gets, and you could even propose and get married the same weekend!
- If you’ve both been considering getting a new puppy or kitten, surprise your significant other by choosing one and tying the ring or a message to its collar, letting it loose in the house. Just make sure they truly want a pet and will care for it!
- At a restaurant—whether it’s your favorite or a five-star establishment—arrange beforehand for the waiter to bring out a piece of cake with the ring on top at the end of the meal.
- If you know how to build web pages, create one dedicated to the two of you, featuring pictures and text about your life together. Share how much they mean to you, and then ask the question at the bottom of the page. Send them the link and wait for their reply.
- Wake up early and make them breakfast in bed. And we mean the works: omelets, fresh juice, hash browns. Make it delicious and special, adding touches like flowers, a new robe, or slippers. At the end of the meal, pop the question.
- Create a treasure hunt. Leave clues all around the house, leading them to you. When they figure it out, be there at the end with a ring.
- One night, sneak into their car and fill it to the brim with inflated balloons. Tape a safety pin to the inside of the door. Inside each balloon, slip a small note explaining one reason why you love them. To get to work, they’ll have to pop the balloons, and they won’t be able to resist reading those little notes. At the back of the car, place the balloon with your proposal inside.
- If budget allows, consider something truly spectacular, like taking a train ride on the Orient Express. The luxurious cars will provide an unforgettable experience for both of you.
Make a complete day of your proposal. Tell your significant other to take the day off work, as this “date” will last all day. Plan everything! Make them breakfast in bed, and clean up completely—don’t let them do the dishes! Hide little gifts around the house for them to find, and get creative with your plans. Arrange for flowers to be delivered when you “step out” for a minute. If you want to impress, pamper them throughout the day. Set up appointments for facials and pedicures, and drop off a brand new dress you bought for them to wear to dinner that night. Have a limousine pick them up at the spa to take them to a chic restaurant, and propose over dessert.
Remember, this is by no means a complete list. You’re limited only by your imagination! Put serious thought into what your significant other would love. Make it sincere, and it will be an experience neither of you will forget.