Family Proposal Ideas
In this day and age, there’s a great chance that you have kids, or your significant other has kids. If this is the case, and you’re about to take the leap to become one, big, happy family– you may want to remember that the proposal doesn’t just involve you and your love, but your kids as well. So how do you bring them in on the proposal? Here are three ideas.
1. Go on a family vacation. Take a trip with all parties involved, respecting room boundaries (unless you’re already living together, of course), and let everyone get to know one another while spending some good quality time together. When the opportunity presents itself, talk to the kids about the proposal and what it would mean before you actually propose. After all, you have to be committed to making it all work– not just with your significant other, but with the kids as well.
2. Take the kids out. If they kids belong to your lady, offer to take them out for a day of fun. Use this opportunity to tell them how much your mom means to you, and that you’re thinking of proposing and ask what they think. If they’re your kids, this still applies. Try to present an opportunity that they can spend quality time with your s/o to make sure they’re good with the situation. You CAN get married even if the kids aren’t ok with it, but the more people you have on board– the easier it’s going to be.
3. Involve them in the proposal. Bringing the family together through marriage is a big deal, so involve the kids in the proposal. It will make it even more special, and it will let them know that they won’t be forgotten or lost in the mix as things change.
Emily
Spontaneous Proposal, with Congrats from Ryan Gosling
After the premier of Ryan Gosling’s movie, Lost River, Heather decided it was time to propose to her girlfriend of 11 years. She had been carrying the ring in her pocket, waiting for the opportunity to present itself, and she just decided that after the great movie– it was time.
Heather and her girlfriend had been together for 11 years, with a break of two years somewhere in there. She decided that she never wanted that to happen again, and wanted to make sure she got to spend the rest of her life with the woman of her dreams.
The great thing is, Heather is selected to ask Ryan Gosling a question, and instead decided to propose. Ryan then offers her the mic, not wanting to miss out on the gushy details of this fantastic moment. So, Heather got engaged– and go to graze Ryan’s hand. I’d call that a win-win, right?
Spring Proposal Ideas
As we prepare for warmer weather, also prepare for your proposal! Here are four ideas perfect for spring.
1. Florals. Go for a walk in your local gardens, or seek out your nearest botanical, for a chance to watch as spring comes into full swing. When you find the prettiest spot (pre-determined, if you can, with someone waiting to snap some shots), get down on one knee.
2. Take a Hike. As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to enjoy the outdoors– especially if you love doing that sort of thing together! Get out in your gear and enjoy some views. When you reach the end of your trail, you know what to do! She’ll have a hard time hiking back because her eyes will be glued to that ring on her finger.
3. Zoo Date. Arrange for a behind-the-scenes date at the zoo and find a feature where you can be around her favorite animal (as long as it’s not dangerous, that is). Feed the penguins or giraffes, or maybe get in to see the elephants. Whatever you can do, it will make your proposal that much cuter.
4. Roadtrip. Not warm where you are? Don’t panic! Plan a surprise road trip. Don’t tell her where you’re going, but pack a basket of snacks and little hints as to where you’re headed. You could make a playlist that for the road reflecting your relationship/destination, and make stops along the way where you buy little things so she can always remember the perfect trip/day/proposal.
Emily
Man Proposes Every Day FOR A YEAR Without Girlfriend Knowing
Dean decided to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Jennifer, at a resort in Aruba on her birthday. The proposal, however, was anything but ordinary.
After having her family lead her to the beach, she was given a video to watch. The “countdown” to the proposal begins at 3:15 of the video. Dean committed to letting Jennifer know every day for a year just how much he loved her before he actually got down on one knee.
14:25 of the video, after seeing bits and pieces of their life for an entire year, the video tells Jennifer to turn around. There Dean has spread flower pedals (and a group of beach on-lookers has gathered). He gets down on one knee as the sun is setting behind them, and (unsurprisingly) Jennifer says yes… much to Dean’s relief since he has such an audience at that point.
This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite proposals. It takes a very strong man to follow this through for an entire year and not give away the game. Well done, Dean!
Emily
Easter Proposal Ideas
It’s that time of year when the Easter bunny and everything revolving around it appears again. If you have Easter traditions, this may be a great time to propose to that special lady. Here are three ideas to make the day more memorable (and your proposal slightly easier)!
1. Easter Basket. Fill the basket with things that will be extra special to your girlfriend, and maybe have them all be hints! If you’re religious, you could put a “Family Bible” in there, or something for your future home. Or you could just fill it with the usual chocolates and spring-fun stuff. Buy some of those plastic eggs and fill them with candy– all except one. Make sure you know which one it is, too! Maybe only have one egg that color to guarantee you know, and when she opens it– do your thing!
2. Sunday Best. Arrange to propose at church when everyone is in their pastels and the wonderful mood of Easter! Whether it’s with the whole congregation involved, or just a special presentation in a spot that has special meaning to you. The great thing about this is, it will be a day to remember and it will make for awesome pictures!
3. Easter Bunny. If you want to go the more “secular” route, arrange with the Easter Bunny at your local mall or maybe charity even to help you propose. Whether it’s holding a sign, giving your girlfriend a special egg, or embarrassing her in some other way– incorporate the holiday fun and get some pictures that will make your grandkids laugh someday!
Emily
“Selfie” Proposal Reaction Too Cute for Words
Sometimes you have to take the simple route to proposing. We all don’t have the ability to hire someone to hide in the bushes, nonchalantly, as the guy proposes. Or perhaps we don’t have a way to get friends and family involved, or decided it’d be best to keep it “just the two.” Regardless of the reason, this proposal is way too cute– and the reaction is absolutely priceless.
Now, if he’s recording while he’s proposing– he’s obviously not going to get the greatest angles. Still, the fact that her eyes pretty much bulge out and the first thing she says is, “WHAT?” as he gets down on one knee is too cute. Clearly this man took her by surprise, and that makes it absolutely priceless.
She also doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that the engagement ring is loose– she just wants to make sure he isn’t messing with her.
Emily
“Heads Up” Proposal on Ellen!
Jessie and Johnny had been writing into the Ellen Show in an attempt to get tickets to go for years. Jessie admitted to Ellen she had tried to write in as herself, Johnny, and even her grandmother to get the tickets. Finally, Ellen responded and flew the couple out to her show. What Jessie didn’t know, though, was that Johnny was the one who convinced Ellen to do it.
Ellen asks the couple to play a round of “Heads Up,” which is essentially a fancy way to play charades. The first few words are easy (1:55), but when the screen says “Proposal” Jessie is beyond excited– her reaction is immediate, to the point that Johnny didn’t even get to actually ask the words (2:15).
The lesson from all this? If you can get on a talk show to propose, DO IT. Odds are you’ll not only get your exciting moment broadcasted, but you’ll probably come out of it with a honeymoon, cash, or more! I mean, what’s not to love about that?
Emily
Photo and Video courtesy of: The Ellen Show.
Rain or Snow, the way to Propose!
It may almost be March, but that doesn’t mean everyone has spring-like weather on the way any time soon.
Whether you’re facing snow or rain, you still may want to pull an outdoor proposal. Here are three ideas that aren’t always done!
1. Have a snowball fight. What’s a way to relieve stress and have some fun? A snowball fight, of course! Take part in this “childish” activity, and once you’re all out of breath and over getting hit in the face with snow, drop to one knee and tell her you want to have this much fun with her for the rest of your life.
2. Singin’ in the rain! You don’t have to dance around a light pole in the rain to let her know you want to marry her, but it is a thought to go for a romantic walk with an umbrella. So many people avoid going out when it’s raining, so why not be the exception and take that moment to propose! There’s nothing more romantic than kissing in the rain, after all.
3. Tent Picnic. Even in the rain and snow you can still enjoy the outdoors. Get out, pitch a tent (or set up a beach-like tent that you can get in and out of easier) and have a picnic. You may need blankets, gloves, hats and more– but it’s still beyond romantic. When the time is right and you’re holding her close, go into your proposal. Even if she has chattering teeth, it will be a proposal to remember!
Emily
Firefighter Proposal
A firefighter wanted a way to propose to his girlfriend without letting her know what was happening… in uniform. Not only that, but he got her dad in on the surprise as well, all dressed up in gear. So how, exactly, did he pull it off?
He decided to propose to her at work, the very place that they met. Some of his buddies told her that they were there to do an inspection, and asked her to lead them to a room (where her fiancee-to-be and father were staged). When she walked in, he immediately dropped to one knee. Her reaction (2:07)?
“No.”
Thank goodness this was a surprised explanation and not her actual answer.
I think it’s so neat that the boyfriend/fiancee got the dad in on the surprise. It truly brings the whole asking-the-father-for-permission thing to the next level!
Emily
Walmart Proposal: A Timeless Love
Louis and Renate met in Germany in 1959 when they were teenagers. When the two fell in love, they were married for 12 years before, for unknown reasons, they split.
But love is one for the ages.
The couple had three children together, and started talking again in December. 43 years seemed to do nothing to Louis’s affection, because he started planning his second proposal that very day.
On Valentine’s Day he drove from Tennessee to Arkansas to propose. His greeting after all that time? “Hey good lookin’!”
Renate confessed that 43 years was a very long time, but she would marry him because she knew he was a good man. I’m not sure those are sonnet-worthy words, but this makes my heart melt too much just the same.
Emily
