13 replies to this topic

[briankoz]

Hello!

I just thought I'd write a little bit about some common "mistakes" I tend to see people do when planning a proposal.

One of the main things I see are guys doing simple and basic proposals. These aren't necessarily bad, but a few little things can make them a lot better. Tons of guys think that a nice restaurant and perhaps a nice hotel is the "perfect" proposal ... others think that throwing around $500 on a limo and a nice evening out is even better and more special. Now tell me, would you think more of someone who spent hours upon hours working on a special, unique, and creative proposal for you that you could brag about to everyone, or would you think more of someone who just forked over some money to a limo or restaurant and did everything in under a few minutes? Most of the best proposal ideas I've worked with can be easily done for free or at least under $50, and they'll stand out forever.

Simple things can make a huge difference. Are there things the two of you have in common? Do you have a special place? Perhaps a special inside joke or anything else? Try to incorporate as many things as possible into it.

One of my recent clients asked me if I thought dinner and a stay at the Hilton was a good idea because he was trying to one up his buddy's proposal. He was ready to fork over several hundred dollars, but after we worked out a plan, his new proposal idea would cost less than $20. His girlfriend worked at an apartment complex owned by her parents, which was a unique opportunity. I won't go into too much detail, but the end result was that when she had to make a bunch of scheduled stops at several apartments, he left little hints (but not too obvious) at each place of the two of them. Finally, in the last apartment, he had it all arranged with a nice dinner, candles, flowers, etc. as a surprise and she walked in to see all of this in total shock. There was a lot more to this one as well, but can you already see a huge improvement? Now tell me, which one will she remember more or think of how romantic you are???

Or how about thinking of all the past memories the two of you had together ... I'm sure you can be creative and incorporate all of this into something. Now that will stand WAY above any nice restaurant.

All I recommend first doing is just sitting down and really thinking of your girlfriend/boyfriend and what makes her/him/the two of you so special and how you can incorporate everything into one good idea. It will take you a long time -- possibly even longer than finding an engagement ring, but it will be something that will always be remembered!

If you need any help or have any questions, feel free to e-mail me!

Take care,

Brian

[mike42]

Great tips, Brian.

[Ian]

I need help:) I'm planning on proposing Christmas eve or Christmas day. I'm in a wheelchair so I can't get on one knee. She has asked me to spend Christmas eve day with her at her moms house. I'm thinking sometime that day would be good. Or should I wait until Christmas day? Other than asking her I don't have any ideas. Please help:)

Thank you

[hermann]

Ian, on Friday, Dec 15 2006, 12:13 PM, said:

I need help:) I'm planning on proposing Christmas eve or Christmas day. I'm in a wheelchair so I can't get on one knee. She has asked me to spend Christmas eve day with her at her moms house. I'm thinking sometime that day would be good. Or should I wait until Christmas day? Other than asking her I don't have any ideas. Please help:)

Thank you

Wait until after Christmas eve dinner... maybe after everyone else has gone to bed, and it's just the two of you enjoying a quiet Christmas moment later in the night, with all the twinkling Christmas lights behind you and all around you. And by all means, you definitely do not need to "get down on one knee" to propose. Do it whatever way works for you. Congratulations to you, and best of luck!

[michael123]

Hi,

Nice Tips Brian.

[michelle frederick]

hermann, on Friday, Dec 15 2006, 10:55 PM, said:

Ian, on Friday, Dec 15 2006, 12:13 PM, said:

I need help:) I'm planning on proposing Christmas eve or Christmas day. I'm in a wheelchair so I can't get on one knee. She has asked me to spend Christmas eve day with her at her moms house. I'm thinking sometime that day would be good. Or should I wait until Christmas day? Other than asking her I don't have any ideas. Please help:)

Thank you

Wait until after Christmas eve dinner... maybe after everyone else has gone to bed, and it's just the two of you enjoying a quiet Christmas moment later in the night, with all the twinkling Christmas lights behind you and all around you. And by all means, you definitely do not need to "get down on one knee" to propose. Do it whatever way works for you. Congratulations to you, and best of luck!

Yea, but at christmas everyone is so stressed out, I think I would wait until after the holidays

[MichelleB]

The more simple the proposal the better. My fiance proposed to me while walking in a park on a nice summer day. Nothing extravagant and flashy, but it's more honest and felt more real. Hope that helps!

[buttons]

Great tips. I will agree, the cheaper the proposal the better it is. Creativity is key and shouldnt cost hardly anything for something special and memorable.

...if only i were creative.

[GabeC7]

Great ideas!
I'm planning on proposing to my girlfriend at the end of the month. I still don't know exactly how I'm going to do it but I know its going to be very intimate and romantic. I got her this amazing platinum ring and I have this great speech prepared. As much as I am excited to be engaged to her, I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees the ring.

[shelby]

I would suggest you to be simple and honest and the atmosphere will automatically become romantic. I don’t think there is anything beautiful than simplicity. You two together can make any place a romantic one!

[HeartAndStone]

I agree...
and music, invest in good, sentimental music. Hire a band that will play your girlfriend's all-time favorites, and try to gell all the small details as well. Express your love creatively, and sometimes it's your 'unexpected act' that matters.

Edited by HeartAndStone, 17 August 2010 - 07:34 PM.

[theheartbandits]

Wonderful tips Brian. I am a professional Marriage Proposal Planner and that is some seriously good advice. I always tell my Clients, please do not Google a proposal and use it. The proposal needs to include private memories, the story of the relationship, and inside jokes. It has to be personalized to make an impact. Men spend thousands of dollars on an engagement ring but they don't want to seem to put the same investment in to a proposal. Some men certainly can plan their own proposals, but some men really need help. Proposal planners can be extremely affordable. Anyway, great advice again.

[BigPapi]

We met in the median of a major street of a major city. Can't say but I'll bet some of you have been there.

We live in that city and I want to propose in the middle of the median where we met and then head to dinner at the first plce we dined together which happens to be across the street from where we met (but we went there days after we met)

any thoughts?

Or should I propose in the restaurant? I am not big on making a scene.

[davidelevi]

I'm not big on proposing, but if I were you I'd be careful with jewellery in the middle of a major road with a lot of traffic. Snatching is possible but unlikely, but far more likely is to drop things and have them roll under a car, a foot or in a hole somewhere.