The Most “Committed” Proposals of 2014
People (not just the guy who’s proposing) are getting more and more committed to doing something creative and all-out for proposals. Here are my four favorites of 2014!
1. Pride & Prejudice. When Bethany’s whole family (under the direction of her boyfriend, David) re-enacted a scene from Pride & Prejudice for his proposal. Read the whole story here.
2. Magical Armoire. When Blake built Carly an armoire and we got to watch her experience the magic of what he made, only to discover the ultimate surprise in the final drawer. He didn’t just give her a box with a ring in it, he built her something to commemorate the occasion!
3. On the Ground from the Sky. When Simo carved “Marry Me” with a tractor into the grass and convinced his girlfriend to go for a plane ride, where she would see his proposal. So many things went into this and could’ve gone wrong, but he saw it through!
4. Legoland. Sam took Sarah to Legoland, and she had no idea that he had built something to go in one of the displays for his proposal. Not only did he have to contact Legoland to figure out the details, but he had to build the cow/sign as well!
Did you have a different favorite of 2014?
Emily
Best ‘Musical’ Proposals of 2014
It’s the end of the year as we know it, and so I’m doing a wrap-up of all the best proposals (in my opinion) of this year. So, get ready for a review! Here are my favorite 3 “musical” proposals, which entails lip-syncing, karaoke, and all that good stuff.
1. 500 Miles. The guy who took four years to make the perfect proposal video for his girlfriend, which included visiting 26 countries and lip-syncing the same song throughout all of his trips.
2. Love is an Open Door. No one could escape the Frozen phenomenon, including the proposals of the year. While there were a few “Love is an Open Door” proposals, this one is my personal favorite. (Which, ok, is TECHNICALLY, from 2013– but we’re counting it as this year.)
3. Geronimo. This proposal went all out with people involved, the dance, the props, and the man’s entrance. He definitely set the bar high for people who want to do a lip-dub or flashmob proposal.
Which was your favorite?
Emily
Create a Stunning Ring and Get a Free Gold Band
Mix and match colors and shapes with the LX Collection by Laurence Bruyninckx! This Holiday season, create the perfect ring for every occasion and get a free gold band in the color of your choice.
Purchase a pair of diamond rings and get a complimentary gold band to personalize your dream ring! Watch the video bellow to discover all the possibilities!
You can also combine these beautiful color gemstone rings, a bright blue topaz and a sparkling orange citrine. You’ll receive a free gold band if you purchase either one. (Get both, and you’ll get two bands!)
Click here to learn more and find a retailer near you!
Sponsored Post
Winter Wonderland Proposal
Paris and Pierce met when she was 13 and he was 16. An “unattainable” romance in her mind, the two were close friends for three years running until Pierce finally took it to the next level by kissing Paris. After a brief time together, Pierce left on a two-year mission trip. The two spent that long waiting period exchanging emails and letters, but once Pierce came back into town it was a summer full of loving for the two. By that August, they were already talking marriage.
Paris had known Pierce had the ring for a while. But he played the card of it having a flaw with one of the prongs and told her he had taken it back to the Jeweler so it could be absolutely perfect. Little did she know that when they took a trip to Denver for her little sister’s baptism, Pierce was planning what she thought wouldn’t happen for some time!
The two were asked to search for the perfect spot for some family pictures. Once they found an area, they set up a tripod for “family pictures.” Pierce said he wanted to record them when he showed her something that he found. He pulled out a branch that had been molded to display Pari’s handcrafted engagement ring, and then dropped to one knee.
After Paris finally got out a “yes!” the two rejoined her family, who were all in on the secret, and got to celebrate with them. The lesson here is, never grumble if you’re asked to go snow-shoeing with your honey! You may just return with some ice on that finger.
Emily
Photo Credit: Pierce
Do’s and Don’ts of Proposing at Holiday Parties
It’s that time of year when work, school, and all sorts of holiday parties are happening. If you decide this is the atmosphere you want your proposal to happen in, do not take the planning lightly. There are all kinds of things that could do wrong or may not work in your favor. Here are two do’s and one don’t to keep you focused on the prize!
Do… Know if she wants a public or private proposal.
You can still propose at a party if she wants an intimate setting. Guide her outside to the Christmas lights or take a moment under the mistletoe to do more than just kiss. After she’s said yes, return to the party and get everyone’s attention. If she wants something public with lots of flashing lights and phones recording, then grab everyone’s attention before you drop to one knee. Still make sure you’re in a picturesque spot. You don’t want all your proposal pictures having a questionable Santa or tacky decorations in the background!
Don’t… Propose on your own turf.
This may seem selfish, because we know the guys want to celebrate as much as the girls do, but celebrating in front of all your friends and family or your coworkers doesn’t give her the gleeful moment she’ll want. She wants to be able to squeal with her sisters or rub that diamond in some snobby coworkers direction; give her the moment she wants and deserves, and the possibility of escape if you didn’t talk wedding before popping the question.
Do… Go with the holiday theme.
I know some people like to be rebels and propose during the holiday season and pretend that the season has nothing to do with it… but, come on. You’re not fooling anyone! Don’t propose at Christmas time and not take a picture in front of a Christmas tree. There’s just something wrong with that! If you’re proposing at an ugly sweater holiday party, put a flap on your sweater you can pull that says, “Will you marry me?” Go with the flow of the season and party!
Emily
Marching Band Proposal
Drum Major Kara of the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners was not prepared for the surprise that emerged from the drum line during what she thought was a special performance for their alumni.
Nic, Kara’s boyfriend at the time, had acquired a band uniform (not hard, since he was a former member) and blended into the drum line as they performed a special cadence. Kara, not looking for Nic, didn’t see that he had joined the snares until the drummers revealed a surprise message.
Nic then emerged, revealing himself once the feathered hat came off, and prepped to drop to one knee. It took Kara a while to get down from her stand and remove her glove, but obviously from how she was acting right away everyone knew she was going to say yes!
I mean, would you go through all the trouble to take off your glove and rush down onto the field if you were going to say no? I don’t think so! Congratulations to the marching couple.
Emily
Proposing out of your comfort zone: yay or nay?
When you’re getting ready to propose, sometimes the rule is “better safe than sorry.” After all, you don’t want to decide this is the first time you want to sky dive or scuba dive with a sign/banner popping the question. But you could drop the sign, hurt yourself, decide that you don’t actually like to do this new thing you’re doing… the possibilities are endless.
But you want to take a leap of faith, don’t you? After all, you are doing the same thing while proposing, so what’s to say it’s not a good idea to step out of your comfort zone?
Well, here are four yays and nays for you to help you make up your mind.
Yay… Something creative that may be something she likes to enjoy.
Does she like to salsa dance, or maybe she likes to go kayaking, and you’ve never tried? Surprise her by taking some lessons or going on a trip without her, and then turning around and do it with her. Much to her surprise, she won’t have to give you step-by-step instructions for you to keep up with her.
Nay… Decide this is the first time you are going to do something together.
Unless you guys are adventure seekers who want to climb Mt. Everest together (and you’ve been preparing), now is not the time to try and be like other people and do an over-the-top-adrenaline-rush proposal. While it’s good to step out of your comfort zone and do something new, while you’re proposing isn’t the time for an over-the-top choice that could fail and completely ruin your mood.
Yay… Public is Priceless.
You may not be a person for a performance, or to make speeches in front of other people (even your family), but if you’re sure of her answer and you know she wants it documented– take this time to step out of that box and ask her to marry you in front of some people. Even if that just means friends and/or family, it will mean so much to her because she of all people will know that you are making an effort to be more public about your feelings for her.
Nay… Something that will embarrass her.
You may enjoy pulling jokes on each other, but doing it in front of others to embarrass her to do the “ultimate gag” is probably not the best idea. Now, if you two do this to each other anyway, go for it! But if you don’t, don’t choose your proposal to be that moment. It doesn’t have to be a ridiculous gag, either. If she doesn’t enjoy being pulled on stage and gets embarrassed easily, these are things to keep in mind! You want to focus on both of your comfort zones.
Emily
Pre-Order the New Engagement 101 Print Issue!
Be the first to receive the latest Engagement 101 print issue, just in time for the Holidays!
– Get amazing new shopping tips to find the perfect engagement ring.
– Discover hundreds of new designs to give him some useful hints.
– Read beautiful real proposal stories from the cutest couples.
– Get some wonderful ideas for your dream proposal, and much more!
A Gallery Proposal
Kevin was finally ready to pop the question to Rachel, so he called up an old high school friend, who just happened to be an artist Eric Leppanen, with the idea of how he wanted to do it.
Leppanen, who regularly shows his work at Asymmetrick Arts gallery in Rockland, Maine, asked owner and fellow artist Jared Cowan if they could use the gallery for the proposal. Cowan agreed with the proposal plan and Leppanen went right to work on a “Will You Marry Me” painting for his old friend.
Kevin and Rachel walked around the gallery for a while checking everything out. When they came to the back wall of the gallery where the painting was, it was covered in a black curtain. Leppanen told them it was a new piece that hadn’t been unveiled yet and had Kevin help him take the cloth off the painting.
It took Rachel a minute to realize what was going on. In fact, she didn’t fully understand until Kevin dropped to one knee to ask the big question. The couple made the evening an emotional event for everyone there that night.
The couple came full circle after knowing one another for 30 years, even dating in eighth grade, and having children of their own. They reconnected six months ago and Kevin said as soon as they did he knew he was “done looking.”
As an engagement/wedding gift, Leppanen let them keep the painting. And, if you weren’t sure– Rachel said yes!
Emily
Pictures courtesy of Eric Leppanen.
Bollywood Flashmob Proposal
At Georgetown University there was a very special moment happening on campus. One man decided to propose to his girlfriend, Bahar, with the help of friends and family. Her two friends dragged her out to her surprise, and as more and more friends appeared while the music played you could see her genuine surprise and excitement.
I love this flashmob because it had to have taken a lot of preparation for all the different dances. Not to mention how many people had to be a part of the proposal to help. If you just want to see the moment, he calls her up to their little “stage” around 5:50 of the video. But you need to at least watch part of the dancing. We should all be so lucky to take part in such a fun proposal!
Emily
