12 Proposal Ideas: Classic and Creative

So you’ve made a big decision in your mind. You want to get married. Congratulations, that’s massive news. Let’s hope he/she says yes! This is a time not only to express your love but to create a story that you will have to cherish between you for the rest of your lives. Maybe one to tell the grandkids?

Here are 12 proposal ideas for you and, who knows, maybe you’ll be commemorating the special day with one of our Star Maps. Don’t count your lucky stars yet though. First we need to get your partner’s status from ‘friend’ to ‘fiancée’!

1. Treasure Hunt

Write a series of clues leading to somewhere special, where you will meet them and propose. Why not attach a loving gesture or memory with each clue?

2. Hotel Room Proposal

Rent a hotel room and fill it with chocolates, flowers and anything else he/she likes. Create a trail of flowers (or petals) leading to the door of the hotel room. Surprise! This can also work from home. If you do it from home, you could use candles (and/or flowers). Another option is using a ribbon with notes attached, each with a special memory.

3. Pudding Proposal

Put it in his/her dessert or, like in the movie ‘Mickey Blue Eyes’, ask the chef to put it inside a fortune cookie. That didn’t work out too well for Mickey (Hugh Grant) but you might have more luck! You can also do this at home or with a picnic, either inside a dessert or a glass of Champagne.

Tip: try to choose a dessert which isn't too rich or dense so he/she will easily be able to distinguish the ring from the food. Otherwise you might have to wait for a day or two to get it back!

4. Somewhere Personal

Choose somewhere which is already special to you as a couple. Depending on where it is, you might want to go there beforehand and set up a few romantic surprises! If it’s somewhere personal to you already you probably won’t need to think of an excuse to take him/her there. Otherwise you can always think of a reason for going somewhere near there and then subtly nudge him/her to get to the final location.

5. Written in the Stars

This isn’t just see-through marketing. We think it would make for a really wicked proposal. Put your faith in your star-crossed path and buy a Star Map in advance. Put it up in your home while he/she is away and surprise them with it. Fill you apartment with flowers, add some mood music and remember to get down on one knee when he/she sees the map. You can get any proposal you like printed onto the map. If you use this one, please send it in. We would LOVE to see it!

6. Sky Banner

Hire a skywriter to spell out your proposal in the air. Just don’t miss it!

7. Advertise in a newspaper

This one is a great idea if your boyfriend/girlfriend has a daily paper they read. Even if they don’t, you can just pretend you found an interesting article!

8. Glow-in-the-Dark Stars

Sometime before going to bed, take fate into your own hands and get the stars to align with your proposal message. Wait for the surprise when the lights go out!

9. A Romantic Walk

You can do this the old-fashioned way (which is often the best way) and take a stroll in the park, around fields near where you live, in the countryside or beside the sea. Wait for the right time (in the conversation) and the right spot along the walk and get down on one knee. Alternatively, you can up the tempo with a hike to the top of a hill and propose (when you’ve got your breath back).

10. What Are Friends For?

To do this you’ll just need to find three trusted friends. You can choose the setting such as somewhere beautiful or personal to you. Get your friends to hold up the signs ‘Will’ ‘You’ ‘Marry’ and then you hold up the ‘Me’ sign. Alternatively, get a fourth friend and stay beside him/her, ready to get down on one knee!

11. Go on Vacation

Choose somewhere you think they will love and then the specific location to propose. The Eiffel Tower is a classic but maybe your special someone would prefer to see the Ancient Pyramids of Egypt or the Colosseum in Rome. They make a beautiful photograph and the vacation might help you get that ‘yes’ you’re looking for!

12. Written in the Sand

Tell your loved one that you’re drawing a picture and to turn around. If you need a reason, you can make it into a game of ‘How well do you know me? What will I draw?’. Then write your proposal in the sand. Maybe get a friend hiding to capture his/her reaction!

Good luck!