Star Wars Customized Engagement Ring
Have you ever considered making a custom engagement ring? Not sure where to start? Making custom jewelry for your proposal can be a very romantic touch to your perfect proposal– especially if you find a way to make the ring unique to you and your girlfriend’s relationship.
Take this guy for instance. Joe and his girl love Star Wars. So what better way than to incorporate their mutual interest by using it as a symbol for their love? He came up with a concept for the ring of her dreams that would be reflective of their love for Star Wars by modeling certain details on R2D2’s design. He took his idea to CustomMade.com, and they executed it in a way that was beyond what he had dreamed.
Check out his concept drawing and the pictures of the actual ring.
Impressive, right? And of course his girl was very excited and please (as you can see in the Youtube video below). Custom rings are becoming a popular trend in the proposal circuit. Would you consider such a unique and original way to express your love?
Photo Credit: Custom Made
Nikki
What to do when your proposal doesn’t go as planned
Kisses in the rain can be romantic (Hello "The Notebook" fantasies), so don't let a little rain deter you from your proposal plans. (Photo courtesy of EasilyEntertainedBlog.com)
Inspired by the guy who still pulled off a fantastic proposal despite Hurricane Sandy changing his plans, we thought we’d clue you in on some secrets on how to be prepared when the unthinkable happens. After all, after all that planning for your perfect proposal, are you really going to let a little bit of Murphy’s Law keep you from the one you love? We think not.
1. You plan an outdoor proposal and it rains…
Nothing is more unpredictable than the weather. And when you plan a beautiful walk in the park or a carriage ride on a sunny day, nothing can put a bigger damper on the plan than rain. But why let a little water stop your proposal? Rain can be one of the most romantic settings during the great outdoors (unless crazy wind is thrown into the mix). We say, go with the flow! Some of the most romantic moments in movies and on TV happen in the rain. Remember the Notebook? Yeah, a lot of girls fantasize over that kiss. And check out this proposal from the famous 90s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Skip ahead to minute 1:50 to see what we’re talking about.
2. You plan a romantic camping trip that got cancelled…
So your car broke down, your lady caught the flu, or a hurricane decided to hit town– why throw your plans out the window because of the unexpected? This is when you channel your inner child and set up camp in your living room. Microwave s’mores anyone? She’ll find the effort endearing and very romantic. It’ll definitely be a memory neither of you will ever for get.
3. She gets injured mid proposal…
So you planned something adventurous and heart-racing! Sounds great… until your future wife twisted her ankle hiking, broke her arm when she fell out of the white water rafting vessel or got whiplash bungee jumping. Whatever you do, DON’T freak out. First, make sure your wife gets the medical attention she needs. Then, after you know she’s okay, pop the question and work a little “for better for worse” wordage in there. She’ll complete melt. Just remember to wait until after she’s been attended to. Proposing while she’s covered in blood or in agony is not the way you’re going to want to start your marriage.
4. The people you counted on to execute it, failed…
So you planned a big proposal and asked people to help you pull it off. Either something happened to them (like traffic or family emergency) or they just really missed the ball. Either way, you have two options 1) reschedule the grand event or 2) find a way to delay her to buy you extra time or 3) propose anyway in a more simpler fashion. The most important thing to remember about planning elaborate proposals is to always have a Plan B that’s unique to your original plan. And remember, sometimes simpler is better. After all, she’s wanting to marry you– not the proposal you planned.
Nikki
Man Proposes Despite Cancelled Plans
Hannah moments after her fiance proposed where the finish line would have been for the NYC Marathon. Photo by Damon Dahlen, AOL.
When Sandy struck the Northeast, the hurricane left a path of destruction in many areas. Unfortunately, the New York City Marathon was cancelled as a result.
For Martin O’Donoghue, that put a snag in his plans. You see, he wasn’t just excited for the marathon. He had planned his entire proposal around it. The idea was to have a sign at the marathon that said “‘If you finish in five and a half hours, I’ll marry you.” He wanted to propose to her at the finish line. And, if her time didn’t quite meet his quota, he was prepared to have it changed with a magic marker.
Despite the cancelled plans, he decided to not let a hurricane dampen his romantic dreams and took his bride-to-be Hannah Vahaba to where the finish line would have been in Central Park and just go for it.
After all, when the time is right– you just know!
This is a great example of how sometimes, you have to go with the flow and not bank on having the perfect, flaw-proof proposal. Hannah is proof that it works. She said, “YES!”
What would you do if your proposal plans were cancelled?
Nikki
World’s Best Jumbotron Proposal
If you are an avid Engagement101 reader, you might be aware of my dislike of jumbotron proposals. Well, this one had me bawling it was that moving.
Apparently this soldier had two weeks of R&R during his year long proposal, but didn’t tell his girlfriend. After 8 months of the deployment, he came home during an Atlanta Braves game where his girlfriend would be at with some friends. While she was sitting there, the jumbotron came on with her name and a proposal….but of course she knew it couldn’t be from her man. He was in Afghanistan.
Actually, he was behind her.
Not only was it a surprise proposal, but it was a surprise homecoming too. But what was truly heart warming was the cheers from everyone around. They got a standing ovation before he even got down on one knee and eventually the stadium resounded in a chorus of “USA” chants.
It was truly a beautiful proposal. Check it out below.
Nikki
Michelle Obama and Ann Romney Proposals and Engagement Rings
It’s Election Day! One of these ladies will be our first lady for the next 4 years. We are not interested in talking about politics in this blog -make sure you vote though- just love and rings. Michelle Obama wears a classic round cut engagement ring. As for her proposal story? According to the Huffington Post, Barack took Michelle for a romantic candlelight diner and the engagement ring came with the desert!
Michelle Obama was also seen wearing a beautiful round cocktail ring in place of her engagement ring. Check it out!
Ann Romney wears a classic eternity wedding band. Apparently, Mitt proposed to her after only two months of dating, when they were teenagers! (Well, he didn’t really had a ring for her at this point.) She said yes but they waited a few years and Mitt proposed again, with a ring this time!
Want Michelle Obama engagement ring or cocktail ring style?
Looking for an eternity band like Ann Romney’s?
Images via: Radaronline, MiaDonna, UsMagazine
Renaissance Festival Proposals
Photo courtesy of Emol.org
Who doesn’t love a good time at the Renaissance Fair? The only thing that could make it better would probably be a proposal that made the storybooks jealous. But if you’re going to do pull it off, you’re going to have to do it right.
1. Have it be part of the show
This famous performers Don Juan and Miguel blind fold this chick to not only whip the end of a twig in her mouth, but also to let her prince get into the perfect proposing position. She is one happy fairy.
2. Make her endure a super long “woo”
Yes, this is a thing. Apparently you can contact the Renaissance Faire and have them work you into an act where some actors are teaching the audience how to do a proper “woo” for the ladies. They’ll pick a lady from the audience (your lady) have her stand up there for a good long while as actors try different approaches, when finally at the end, you get to woo her yourself. Check out these two proposals that did just that.
Skip ahead to minute 4:45 if you want to go straight to this fantastic proposal.
Skip ahead to minute 5:30 if you want to watch all the actors “woo” or to 11:30 if you don’t want to see the whole “woo and only the proposal.
3. Get into character
Some people REALLY get into the Ren Faire– like head-to-toe travelling gypsies who follow it across the country. If you’re one of those, go all out, wear the costume, and write a speech in the flowery tongue of ye old romance. If she’s the right girl, she’ll swoon.
Nikki
Skydiving Proposals
Doing daring and adventurous things as a couple together can be a great bonding tool and definitely a great hobby to keep the spice alive in your relationship. But how about when that adrenaline is pumping, you pop the question?
This guy talks his girlfriend into skydiving. He beats her to the bottom where he sets up a long sign that she can see while she’s falling (you can see it at minute 4:30 in the video). Talk about taking a leap of faith and jumping into this next step in life. She of course said yes. What a memorable way to propose.
This guy took an even cooler approach. He proposed RIGHT BEFORE they took the plunge. Talk about guts. That could have been a very long, sad jump down if she had said no. Best part is, he coordinated their families and friends to be there at the bottom to congratulate them. Check it out! Proposal is at minute 2:15.
Nikki
An engagement ring for Kourtney Kardashian?
Wow! Is Scott Disick about to propose to the mother of his two children, Kourtney Kardashian? Apparently, Scott has been spotted looking at engagement rings at Levinson Jewellers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was looking at “very large rings”. Would he find a ring pretty enough for her to say yes? After all, she turned him down before and has made it pretty clear she didn’t like the idea of getting married.
Image via Usmagazine
Want to go Kardashian style for your engagement ring? Check out our suggestions:
A New Kind of Shot Gun Wedding
Jewelry store in Iowa offers free shotgun with ring purchase. Photo courtesy of Daily Times.
We’ve all heard the term “shotgun wedding” but here’s a new spin on the old phrase. A jeweler in Iowa is running a promotion where you can get a free shotgun with a purchase of an engagement ring.
Apparently if a guy spends at least $1,999 he’ll get a voucher for a free Remington 870 shotgun.
The jeweler, Harold van Beek was quoted in another article saying, ““Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.So say: I’m hunting deer, and here is a diamond ring, dear.”
I guess it could be pretty good incentive to get a decent quality ring. Right?
The promotion runs through October 31st at Jewellery by Harold in North Liberty so hurry up and take advantage if you’re eligible. The only requirement (besides not being a convicted felon or drug addict) is to be eligible to own a gun according to Iowa regulations. Apparently there’s a gun safety course you need to take before receiving your license.
What do you think of this wonky engagement ring promotion?
Nikki
Seven Ring-Shopping Tips from Designers
If you haven’t checked out the latest episode of Engagement 101 TV, then you’re in for a treat. Episode 5 is all about figuring out how to buy the perfect engagement ring for your (hopefully) bride-to-be. Engagement 101 goes straight to the designers for their own advice.
What’s the kind of advice you’ll get by watching?
Vanna from Vanna K says the first thing to figure out is what shape diamond your lady wants. Isaac Gad from True Romance even suggests shopping together.
For the complete list of advice, make sure you watch the latest episode below! You definitely don’t want to miss it.
Nikki
