Proposing in a not-so-wintery Winter

Some of you may live in a part of the country that never really experiences “winter”. Sure, it may get colder, but it never reached the point where you can see your breath or watch the snowflakes. If your girl loves winter, but maybe she’s in one of these parts of the country, here are a few ideas to bring winter to her for your seasonal proposal.

1. Rent a snow machine. This may get a little tricky because you’ll have to look into permits as to where you can use it, but take the time to give her some snow in her backyard or one of her favorite places. This will create the base for a “winter wonderland proposal.” So thoughtful and probably as close to the real thing as you’re going to get at home.

2. Escape to somewhere colder. If you have somewhere close enough to you that you could escape to for a ski weekend or a cabin-in-the-woods type thing that would be cozy and oh-so-thoughtful, do it! Whisk her away with a new set of boots and return with that ring on her finger.

3. Inside Set-up. Make paper snowflakes, spread white blankets on the ground, make some hot chocolate, run a fireplace (or put one up on the TV), and pretend turn your air down low. You can have an indoor winter-wonderland (without the tricky parts of renting the snow machine) and it will show her you can put your imagination to work when you think of her. When the time is right, you’ll know what to do.

Emily

Eliza Coupe and Darin Olien– Thanksgiving Engagement!

Eliza Coupe, star of the USA comedy Benched, had a holiday to be thankful for. Darin Olien, her beau after divorcing from first husband Randall Whittinghill in 2013, proposed on Thanksgiving. She shared an Instagram photo flashing her gorgeous diamond engagement ring in a black and white photo. “Giving Thanks @darin_olien,” Coupe wrote on Instagram.

It’s hard to tell in black and white what this ring is all about, but anyone with eyes can clearly see the magnificent diamond front and center. Darin did an amazing job picking this beauty out.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Emily

Photo Credit: Instagram.

4 Do’s and Don’ts of Proposing during the Winter

Looking for some guidelines for proposing this winter? Here are four do’s and don’ts that are sure to keep your sailing smooth.

Do…use the weather.

Whether you’re living in snow or traveling to it, the whole magic of proposing during this time of year is using the cold, lacy weather to your advantage. You don’t have to have a snowball fight or take a walk in it if that’s not your thing, but there’s nothing wrong with admiring that beauty before getting to your proposal!

Don’t…feel pressured to propose on a holiday.

This time of year clearly offers so many significant days you could propose on. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day… the list goes on. Don’t feel like you HAVE to propose on one of these days! Whichever day you propose on is going to be your special day, and that’s all that matters!

Do…take advantage of a special moment.

Whether it’s decorating your tree or a kiss at midnight, or even just a casual ice-skating date– take advantage of your atmosphere. If you’re around a lot of lights and decor that is perfect for a backdrop of the moment, there’s nothing more a girl could hope for!

Don’t…make her wait and wait and wait.

If you guys have talked marriage and she knows the proposal is coming, don’t make her wait and wait for that moment to come. While proposing while the clock strikes midnight on December 31st is a ‘perfect moment’, she may be growing impatient by then. Use your judgement and pick a moment to propose that leaves time to celebrate, rather than spending the entirety of winter on the edge of her seat.

Emily

Mid-flight Surprise Proposal

Nikki and Stephen have been together for around three years. The two decided to go on an outstanding holiday that consisted of traveling around the US for 10 weeks! Nikki was sure to expect that he was going to propose during their vacation, but that wasn’t the case. Stephen was smart and waited until the very end of their trip to propose.

And by the very end, I mean it.

On the flight back to Australia, Stephen hands Nikki a video to watch (which starts around 4:05). It starts out listing all the things he loves about her and their relationship, and goes into family and friends giving them well wishes and telling her to say yes. The video is long, but absolutely precious.

At about 13:00 a flight attendant (or the pilot) comes over the speaker and says there’s a young man with something very important to say. Stephen commences to tell the whole flight, though it’s clearly directed to Nikki, just how much she means to him and how he knows she’ll be his perfect match. When he finally appears around 14:40, Nikki’s tears have not even closed to calm.

This proposal is just so moving. Who could say no to something like this?

Emily

Hanukkah Proposal Ideas

The holiday season is upon us, with Thanksgiving this Thursday. Can you believe it? Last year Hanukkah started on Thanksgiving! Though this year it isn’t the same, why not take time to plan to make the eight days extra special with a proposal in mind? Here are three ideas!

1. Eight Gifts/Hints. It’s tradition to receive a gift each day of Hanukkah, so why not take it to the next level and give your loved one eight gifts that reflect your relationship. Whether one is your favorite movie, her favorite dessert, maybe a framed picture of when you fell in love with her– anything that will get her focusing on just how amazing the relationship is. On the last day, you know what to do, give her the best gift of all: a proposal and a ring to match.

2. A Special Gift. Rather than little gifts leading up to your proposal, opt to get something that is traditional to the holiday and your upcoming life together. A monogrammed menorah, perhaps? Or a traditional book of Hanukkah songs? Whatever may speak to her heart (and the holiday) the most, present it to her and explain why it’s so important– and then get down on one knee. Just remember, if you want to get the menorah monogrammed, it may be best to put your first names on it or just the first letter of your last name (her future last name!).

3. Dreidel, anyone? Whether dreidel is a serious past time for the two of you or just a way to retrace the ‘good ‘ole days’ of childhood, this proposal would be unexpected and especially fun. Maybe wait until she lands on Gimel and gets really excited that she gets take the whole pot, you can make a comment about how she’s certainly won all of you. When you get the typical “awws” as a response, commence to extend the speech and drop to one knee. Talk about a game to remember!

Emily

Machu Picchu Proposal

Mike and Vanessa have known each other for nine years and dated for three. When it came to the time that Mike wanted to propose, he knew he had to do it in a way that Vanessa would cherish. This meant a surprise and video-evidence of the moment. So, after telling her a few white lies, he finally achieved it.

Mike had Vanessa’s dream ring made after extensive research and communication with friends, and even with Vanessa (who was still unaware). Then the two booked a flight to Peru for Mike to meet Vanessa’s family and friends there, and Mike told Vanessa he was supposed to shoot a video for his work on the top of Machu Picchu.

If you start the video around 4:00, you get to see Mike’s amazing work of recording what you think is just him raving about Vanessa. But then it pans out and you see that it’s him asking her mother for permission to marry her. The video then goes into friends and family saying yes, including who I imagine to be their two fur babies. If you just want to see Mike drop to one knee (which, if you ask me, is anticlimactic if you don’t see the video), skip ahead to 7:40.

If you don’t cry during this man’s speech, there’s something wrong with you.

Emily

Central Park Proposal

Oscar and MJ were out for a stroll in Central Park. MJ thought it was just their typical outing full of picture-taking and  video-taping. She had no idea what was waiting for her when they approached Bow Bridge.

Oscar enlisted the help of plenty of accomplices. He chose Bow Bridge as the spot because it’s the second oldest bridge in the park, and he uses the spot well. He tells her he wants to continue to build brigdes wit hher, and like Bow Bridge– their love is time tested. Plus, Bow Bridge has been the spot in several NYC movies– such as The Way We Were.

Around 1:50, Oscar cues the musicians by buying the heart balloon (also a placed accomplice) for MJ. The trio appears singing “All of Me” by John Legend, MJ’s favorite song. Around 2:50he drops to one knee after giving MJ one romantic speach.

Just how precious is this? The fact that he took so many details into consideration, and brought so many people in to make it possible, really warms my heart. If only we could all be so lucky!

Emily

Music Video Proposal

Beverly and Aaron met in July of 2009 at church while performing a dance for elementary aged students. From then on, it was love at first dance.

Since their first performance together as a ‘non-couple’, the two were involved in music videos together for worship songs as background dancers and helped make instructional videos for youth ministry. So when Aaron decided it was time to propose, he knew a way to do it that Beverly wouldn’t suspect a thing– involve some friends and make a video.

 

A talented friend of theirs, Will Entrekin, is a musician that writes and produces songs. Aaron worked with Will to write a song about his relationship and love for Beverly. After putting the professional touches on the song, Will asked Aaron and Beverly if they would like to be the dancers/actors in a new music video for a song he had just written.

Since, of course, this is something that Aaron and Beverly had done before, she didn’t think anything of it. But this music video wasn’t just for their friend, obviously. It was all part of Aaron’s proposal.

After filming for a couple of hours, Aaron finally proposed during the last take (3:00) and she said YES!

I mean, who would say no to that proposal?

Emily

First Snow Proposal Ideas

Some people in the country have already enjoyed their first snow of season. However, if you’re like me and you haven’t gotten the first snowy flakes yet, here are a couple ideas on how to seize the moment of the first snow for one magical proposal.

1. Midnight Stroll. If your first snow doesn’t happen until late, or perhaps you’re stuck in the office all day, surprise your sweetie late at night with a thermos full of hot chocolate and a new scarf to wear as you ‘frolic’ through the snow. Whether there’s a lot or just a little sprinkle, there’s nothing more romantic than enjoying the first snow. Whether it’s when you’re out trying to find Christmas lights to go with the weather or back at the house cuddling, find the right time to pull out that ring and proposal.

2. Do you want to build a snowman? Snow brings out the kid in all of us. That’s a fact. Invite her out to build a snowman or snowball fight. You can put the ring in the snowman’s form (IN THE BOX and don’t let it out of your sight!) or pull it out and say you have a snowball alternative. Use this fun time to make your proposal just as fun!

3. Pack a picnic. Bundle up, grab some soup, and pack a picnic for the snow. Who says you have to have green grass to spread a blanket and enjoy the weather? Talk about your plans for the future, your holiday plans, what you love best about the snow and then lead into what you love best about her. Before you know it, it will be the perfect time to pull that ring out of the basket (or your pocket) and ask her to marry you.

Emily

Magical Armoire Proposal

Blake surprised Carly with an amazing surprise– a hand built jewelry armoire. He designed every drawer and cabinet for all of her things, and even left some options available so she could tell him exactly how she wanted it. In every drawer he hid a surprise, from a gluten-free brownie mix to snack bars.

But the real surprise wasn’t just the armoire. I mean, do you really need your whole family there so they can see something like that? Granted, it’s beautiful and absolutely amazing– but do you think she suspected?

When she finally gets to the bottom drawer (8:05), Blake instructs her to dig around in the drawer because she may have missed what was in there. She hesitantly pulls out the box, and when she opens it she begins to cry. He pulls her to her feet to propose “properly” around 8:25.

What do you think– genuine surprise? All I can say is if I was Carly, I’d expect homemade gifts for everyone anniversary. Does that make me awful?

Emily