Star Wars Inspired Rings

With the recent announcement of the Star Wars Episode VII cast, and the fact that “May the Fourth” is approaching, I thought it only appropriate to round up some Star Wars inspired engagement and wedding rings for you. Think of them as inspiration. Let’s face it, if you don’t like Star Wars, something is a little wrong with you. If you’re this obsessed, or more importantly if she’s this obsessed, then you should take this post very seriously.

R2D2 Custom-Made Engagement Ring

This droid is for sale. No longer does it have to be made by special request. If you know your girl has been eying this ring, then now is your chance to scoop it up. You can even buy matching wedding bands.

Photo Credit: Custom Made

Princess Leia and Han Solo rings- His and Hers

If you’re looking for a matching set, look no further. Han may not have been a many of many words, but we all certainly remember when Leia proclaimed her love and he responded, “I know.” In the end, I guess it was meant to be, but I’m not sure how I would have felt if I were Leia in that moment. Just sayin’.

Photo Credit: SwankMetalSmithing on Etsy

His and Hers Darth Vader Light Saber Ring Set

Going to the Dark Side? These rings have extraordinary craftsmanship and, again, come in a matching set. You two will always remember who the force is going with.

Photo Credit: SwankMetalSmithing on Etsy

If all else fails, and you don’t think you want to go all the way with a Star Wars inspired ring, you can always use Lego’s to help you propose instead.

Photo Credit: Geek Tyrant

May the Fourth… May the Force be with you!

Emily

Three 21st Century Book Quotes for Proposals

Books these days gain cult-like followers. Then again, I guess it’s always been that way. But when books are turned into shows or movies it gets even worse.

If you’re into the literature (or the screen versions) and your loved one is, too, then here’s a way to get her heart racing when she responds to your proposal.

1. My Khaleesi. Daenerys’ first love Drogo wasn’t always her “sun and stars”, but their romance really came to life on the page and on the screen. If you’ve followed the series, you may know they don’t exactly get a happy ending, but that doesn’t make it any less romantic if you propose to your girl using the phrase, “You are the moon of my life, let me be your sun and stars.”

2. Girl on fire. Who doesn’t love the back and forth love between Peeta and Katniss? Peeta is willing to give up everything for the girl he loves and waits, not really knowing if one day she’ll truly love him back or not. So while you’re on bended knee why not hold out the ring and say, “You love me. Real or not real?” To me, responding, “Real!” is something unique to share rather than your typical, “Yes!”

3. Okay will be our ‘always’. If you haven’t read John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, well, you should. Some people may not dig the YA Lit section, but this is a love story that can pull on anyone’s heart strings. Even if you just see the movie, make sure to have tissues with you. If you’re not a wordy sort of guy, and your significant other has read this book, then simply saying I love you, kneeling down and saying, “Okay?” could make sparks fly. If you don’t believe you, you haven’t read the book.

Emily

Photo Credit: suziscribbles on etsy

Four “Geeky” Proposal Ideas

There are some things in life that people consider to be, well, geeky. If you’re a person who’s into Dr. Who, or maybe goes a bit too far with your Lord of the Rings obsession, then I think you’d fall into that category. Don’t be ashamed, my friends, we all have something that falls into that category. So if Geekdom is a big part of your relationship, then maybe you’re looking for a way to make it part of your proposal. Here are four special engagement ring boxes that could help you win her heart all over again.

1. Pokemon Proposal. I never really got into the Pokemon thing, but if you did (and more importantly, if she did), then you should really take this idea into consideration. Stick your engagement ring into a Pokeball with a note that says, “I choose you!” and when she finds it, or when you show it to her, make sure you’re on one knee.

Photo Credit:  Geekologie. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. TARDIS Wedding Ring Box. Who did you say was proposing? If you share a love for the doctor with your significant other, I doubt she would say no if you presented her with this box from BelmouridaDesign on Etsy. She may not find the doctor in there, but I’d say she may find your engagement ring a bit more steady, anyway.

 

Photo Credit: BelmouridaDesign.

 

 

 

3. WALL-E. I don’t know if Disney-Pixar is considered Geeky in everyone’s book, but if you have a WALL-E obsession…I’d say it’s cuttin’ it close. Have a movie night with all the fixings and watch this adorable flick, then present your loved one with this custom made WALL-E from The Model Maker. Not only will she have the ring (and you) forever, but she can take WALL-E with her wherever she goes as well!

Photo Credit: The Model Maker

 

 

 

 

4. One does not simply walk into Mordor… OK, don’t start with that with your proposal. You definitely don’t want to compare marriage to Mordor, but if you love LOTR, then I think this could be a winning choice of a box (from OtherNamesWereTaken on Etsy) to present the ring in. Want to make it more interesting? Make a LOTR scavenger hunt through obstacles that are symbolizing the journey the nine take in the books. She’ll love it.

Photo Credit: OtherNamesWereTaken

 

 

 

Emily

Five Do’s and Don’ts of a Successful Proposal

So you’re worried about proposing, are you? Well, that’s natural. Even the most well thought out and planned proposal can go wrong if you don’t stick to a few key rules. Even if you’re planning the simplest of proposals, you can trip over your words or spill the champagne or miss your cue from a friend.

Don’t let that keep you from going all out. Here are a mix of Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind when popping the question.

Do… Ask for a woman’s perspective.

I understand. You want this to be the biggest surprise of your sweetie’s day, but don’t you want to make sure you’ve planned it accordingly? Asking your mom, her mom, a sister, a cousin, a friend, a coworker, a stranger can help you really make sure you have gotten a female’s perspective. You don’t want to plan this grand proposal, only to realize after executing it that you made it more about you than her, do you? No. If you’re nervous about someone blabbing it to your significant other, ask someone at work or a long distance friend/family member of yours; ask someone that you know has no way of getting the news to her, and someone who will be happy to keep the secret!

Don’t… Jump outside your comfort zone.

Yes. It’s very cool to propose while skydiving and have people holding signs below, or go scuba diving and propose under water, or fly a plane and propose while doing it… but if none of these things are you, or her, then don’t do them. It’s ok to step outside your comfort zone a little (do a dance when you’ve never really done one and she loves to dance), just keep in mind what would mean the most to her as well as you, not just what you think is “cool”.

Do…Pick a location.

Even if the location is your living room, it’s important to know where you’re going to propose. You don’t want to decide last minute that you’re going to propose outside only to slip on some ice, rather than being prepared that the ground may be slippery. Yes, it’s true, sometimes a spur-of-the-moment proposal can be romantic and end up being timely, but just always keep in mind your top places that you’re comfortable with for your proposal. If you’re planning something big, then location is more than key.

Don’t…Throw out cliche proposals.

Proposing on a jumbotron or by putting her ring in champagne isn’t for everyone, but if your girl has always talked about being proposed to on the beach or at a certain restaurant, don’t throw it out because you don’t think it’s special enough. While making a completely unique proposal is a wonderful goal, it will be unique no matter what because it’s between the two of you and your relationship, something no one else can imitate no matter what.

Do…Get it on camera.

These days, with all the social media outlets, and in general, with wanting to keep memories tangible, it’s important to catch this moment on camera. Whether it’s recorded with a video or still shots is up to you, or even if you don’t get a picture until right after because you want it private. No matter how you are proposing, find a way to capture the proposal. Part of me really wishes I had my husband’s proposal on video, even if I was a snotty sobbing mess during it.

Emily

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto

Ellen the Matchmaker

Ellen DeGeneres seems to be the matchmaker when it comes to TV. Her staff does proposals on her show, people she has as guests are proposed to, even audience members get in on the fun. Tim and Jamie were one of those lucky couples. Tim must have written in to Ellen to get her attention, because Ellen called Tim down to the stage and Jamie along with him.

Jamie is on stage worried she’s going to have to take part in one of Ellen’s games on the show, but instead gets thrown for a loop when Tim is handed the microphone. As soon as Ellen sits back down, Jamie knows what’s about to happen.

Tim’s proposal is so funny. Poor guy must’ve been nervous. I mean, “So, we’ve been together for a while, and it’s been great”? Good thing they’ve been together, huh?

Also, if Ellen offered to buy my dinner, I have to admit I’d probably go all out.

Emily

Photo and Video courtesy of the Ellen show.

May Day Proposal Ideas

Have you ever celebrated May Day? When I was little we lived in a few Midwestern towns where May Day was a big deal. We didn’t set up a maypole or anything like that, but there’s a tradition of delivering May Day baskets. The idea is you leave it on the porch, knock or ring the doorbell, and then run away before someone comes to the door. If they catch you, they have to kiss you. How do you turn this into a proposal? I’m glad you asked. Here are two ideas!

1. Proposal/ May Basket. You don’t have to ding-dong and dash, but the goods are there. Put together a sweet basket for your significant other that could have anything in it like flowers, her favorite candy, a DVD of the first movie you guys saw together– make it a basket that reflects your relationship. If you don’t want to store the ring in with the goodies, have her find the basket and then later surprise her with the bling. But, if you ask me, putting the ring in there would be so romantic. Imagine her surprise when she’s rifling through the goods to find the diamond ring on there. Be staged on the front porch so when she calls, you can be waiting outside her door on one knee (plus you don’t want that ring to be out of your sight for too long, just in case!).

2. Celebrate Spring. May Day, in a sense, is all about celebrating the season. Find special ways to celebrate the warm weather with your honey by going on a picnic, picking flowers, or renting paddle boats. Whatever you have at your disposal, take advantage of it! It doesn’t have to fall on the first of May, but it would fall in line with some old traditions if it does!

Emily

Photo Credit: Skip to My Lou

 

Disneyland Dapper Dans Proposal

Nancy had just graduated from college and was celebrating by going to Disneyland with her friends. She had taken her last final and was just waiting for the diploma in the mail. Little did she know that she was going to get an engagement ring as well!

The proposal starts around 3:50 of the video. Nancy is “performing” with the Dapper Dans and enjoying the embarrassing moment with her friend recording the whole thing. As the song ends, one of the quartet says that there’s someone special who wants to say hi to Nancy, and asks if Johnny is there.

She had to know. As soon as Johnny takes her hand she begins to cry, and when Johnny dips to one knee there’s no stopping the waterworks. This is so cute. Can you imagine how much fun this would be? If I had gotten engaged in Disneyland or Disney World, I would totally make it a yearly tradition to go back there on the anniversary. I mean, think about it, it could be something you could one day include your kids in.

Emily

A Cappella Proposal

Liam wanted to propose to his girlfriend Yee in a very special way. Being a Georgia Tech. alum, and Yee a Ph.D. student, he decided the Highland Bakery on campus was the place to do it, but he still needed a little help to make it special.

Nothin’ But Treble, Georgia Tech’s all-female a cappella group, performed for Yee before Yee even saw Liam coming with the ring. Doing a medley of The Beatles, “All My Loving” and “All You Need is Love”, Liam made his entrance as the music came to an end and immediately dropped to one knee.

I love that Yee doesn’t even really look at him when he appears. She just nods her response, and it takes a moment before she really reacts to him. This is just too precious.

Emily

April Showers bring May Flowers: rainy and floral proposal ideas

I don’t know if you’ve seen any rain where you are, but supposedly things are warming up and we’re getting into some regular weather. If you’ve seen some rainy (or snowy) days and are looking for some cute ideas on how to propose with the season in mind, look no further– here are four.

1. Shower her with love. What’s a better way to propose than surprise your girl with a spa day? If you can’t afford to send her off somewhere, make her a gift basket filled with her favorites: bath scents, shower gel, foot scrub, a new nail polish. Tell her it’s to refresh for something special, then you can surprise her with a night out or in that involves the ring. Want to make it a little more forward? Put the ring in her gift basket and then tell her to get ready for her engagement party after she says yes!

Photo Credit: The Dating Divas

2. Make it rain. All you’ll need is some white balloons, helium, string, and construction paper. Have the balloons blown up and then attach raindrop shaped notes to the end of the strings of the balloons. They can hold clues or words of encouragement/praise/love, and lead the way to your proposal. This is perfect for something indoors when it’s literally raining outside.

Photo Credit: Justin Rudy.

3. Singing in the rain. Take her for a walk… in the rain. Yes, you read that right. Have friends and/or family waiting in a designated spot with the words, “Will you marry me?” on their umbrellas. If you would rather, you can even do this in nice weather. It’s still cute. Not one for a show? Do it somewhere privately, just the two of you. All girls dream of being kissed in the rain, no matter what they tell you. How special to take that moment and propose. You’ll be reminded every time the weather takes a turn, and a stormy day will always put a smile on your face.

4. May flowers. If you don’t want to be in the rain, then do something simple like bring her some flowers, or take her for a walk right after it rains to see the new life coming forth from the previous storm. Not for the outdoors? Add on “may flowers” to idea #2 above. Make her follow the rain to some paper-made flowers (or real ones) that hold more clues or notes of love, then be waiting at the end of the trail on one knee.

Let’s hope the weather is taking a turn for the better and that there’s nothing but sunshine when it comes to your proposal!

Emily

Family Lantern Proposal

Justin and Cassie have been together for five years, so, naturally, Justin needed to plan a good proposal. On her birthday he got all of their family members together and enlisted the help of friends and family to make a video for Cassie.

Cassie comes on the scene at 2:25 and gets to watch a video with a special song that Justin put together for her with everyone saying, “Say yes!” intertwined with moments from their relationship that was caught on video. As the song ends around 6:30, it says, “Open the door behind you.” Cassie starts saying, “This is not for real.”

She emerges on to the balcony to find Justin, waiting to propose (6:50), and below her family awaits with lanterns. After proposing, it takes a while, but the lanterns are released in recognition of Justin and Cassie’s new journey together.

I love that this happens on her birthday. What a wonderful way to recognize her and all the birthdays they will have to share together for the rest of their lives.

Emily