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51 Proposal Ideas Curated By Proposal Planners
Are you tired of reading generic wedding proposal ideas online? Want to have the Perfect Proposal Idea with the help from a proposal planner? Well good thing you've found The Heart Bandits — the world’s leading proposal planning company. Since 2010 we have created unique marriage proposals for clients worldwide. You can read all about our Proposal Planning expertise on our About Us page here. If anyone can help you determine how to propose to your partner, it is us! This guide below is a fantastic guide of 51 Proposal Ideas Curated By Proposal Planners that will help you in your quest for the best way to pop the question!
What Is the Perfect Proposal Idea?
Before we start, a word of caution. There is no one size fits all approach to marriage proposals. Every person is unique; therefore what a person considers the “perfect proposal idea” will differ from person to person. For best results, hire us to create a customized proposal idea created just for your partner. We have designed thousands of proposal concepts ranging from reserved and simple to personal and elaborate and we would love to work with you next. Until then, here is a list of some proposal ideas we have helped plan in the past to help get your creative juices flowing. We can help you pull off any of these ideas so don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance:
Private Proposal Ideas
1. Wine, Dine, Propose
Set up a private dinner for two overlooking the ocean or on a cliff as we did for Jeremy above. Your partner will never suspect a thing and it will make for an epic story. When the time is right, you get on bended knee then a waiter takes your order. Make sure to have champagne ready to be served as well to end the night off right! This is the perfect proposal idea for an introvert.
2. For The Art Lover
Rent out an art gallery and create a unique personalized exhibit that no other proposal ideas would have. This is a great option when it is too cold for an outdoor proposal and you are looking for ways to propose inside. You can have other artwork in the gallery be photos of you two or maybe love notes from you to your partner. Many art galleries are happy to help and be part of a special love story.
3. Get A Chauffeur
Consider putting together a romantic itinerary around the city, chauffeured by your own private limo driver. This can even be in your own town and you have a stay-cation. This will make your partner feel pampered and adored. Pop the question at a pre-determined spot with a view and then hop back in and celebrate with a Champagne toast. Have the limo drop you off at an awesome post engagement party next.
4. On A Wine Excursion
If your partner is a wine lover then consider taking them to a beautiful winery. Many wineries across the country have gorgeous estates and offer private tastings. Arrange with the winery to have a private tasting and tour. At the end of the tour, pop the question at the winery or by making a custom-labeled wine!
5. Transform Your Penthouse
Save some money on a proposal venue by having someone come in and decorate your hotel room or Penthouse! This type of idea has almost limitless possibilities for decor options. You can go with the standard rose petals, flowers, and candles all over or you can do something like fill the room with a ton of balloons. You can add an element of flare by incorporating a private chef to cook dinner for you two if the room has a kitchen. If the room you booked does not have a kitchen, consider having custom desserts such as cupcakes or macarons that say "She Said YES!". If you are proposing in New York, check out our Penthouse in the New York Proposal Ideas page.
6. Consider A Rooftop Proposal
Some of the most popular proposal ideas we plan for our clients often include a rooftop venue. Therefore add some personalization to it so that your partner knows that you truly “get” them. Just look above for what we did for Pete and Dily. This is truly the perfect way to get engaged! You don't even need to have a luxury high-rise skyscraper either. You can do it at your own apartment building if needed.
7. Hire A Private Chef
Include a private chef in your proposal idea to add some extra romance and personalization. Have the chef cook up your partner's favorite food in a 3-5 course meal to add that element of elegance. The proposal can be incorporated into the dessert with a special cake that asks your partner to marry you.
8. Propose In A Garden
In the right season, proposing in a garden can be a charming idea. With the plants, flowers, and beautiful trails and pathways it's a lovely place to propose since you can revisit this location and reminisce on your proposal. Just add a picnic or photos and it will be instantly romantic.
9. Culinary Proposal
If you and your partner share a love for cooking, you can both either take a cooking class together or you could invite them over to cook a “special recipe” with you. The surprise can be the dessert with the message asking them to marry you!
Public Proposal Ideas
10. Surprise Them With A Flash Mob
These spontaneous dance routines are still a very popular grand display of affection. They can be a great proposal idea for someone who loves to be the center of attention and also for someone who wants to incorporate their friends and family. Make sure and search to find the best dance team like the dancers that we offer for our Flash Mob proposal packages. You don’t want this to go viral on Facebook or Instagram for the wrong reasons!
11. Make A Grand Gesture
For a true city experience, consider proposing on a billboard in Times Square or in Las Vegas. This is one of the most eye-catching ways to scream out your love to your partner so that she will never forget. For people that love to be the center of attention this, could be the best of all proposal ideas!
12. A Cappella Serenade
Imagine your partner’s surprise when you are out for a walk and a group of singers stops you to serenade your sweetie with a special song! When you are ready, turn to your partner, present your engagement ring, and drop to your knee for that perfect proposal. This is a great way to show your partner love on your proposal day.
13. Propose With Neon Signs or Marquee Letters
Spelling out "Marry Me" is all the rage in the proposal world right now. Hang a neon proposal message from an arch or have 4 foot marquee letters spelling out your proposal message.
Romantic Proposal Ideas
14. Recreate Favorite Trips
Just like our client Manuele did in the picture above, consider having something from one of your favorite trips recreated. His favorite trip with his then-girlfriend was going to Paris, where he first fell in love with her. Because of this, he chose the Eiffel Tower and we made it out of roses and moss to create one of the most amazing backdrops for a marriage proposal!
15. Suspended Romance
Propose outside the box by hanging things from trees or a ceiling you would typically put on the ground for your proposal. Consider things like picture frames, paper airplanes, love notes, etc. Of course, you may need a permit so you’ll want to be sure to check with the venue first before hanging items on trees.
16. Include Special Lyrics
If you have special songs that are super special to you, find a way to print out the lyrics on something extravagant. They can be on picture frames, canvases, or even on laser-cut wooden signs. On the proposal day, your partner can read the meaningful words right before you drop to your knee and propose.
17. Highlight What Matters
Spruce up any location by adding a ton of your memories to it. This of course includes framed photos but can also include mementos from your relationship such as concert tickets, Christmas ornaments, favorite/memorable clothing items, etc. Do this by creating the perfect romantic scene for your proposal and tell your unique love story.
18. Handwrite A Love Letter
Handwritten love letters are a lost art. They are something everyone appreciates but hardly anyone gets nowadays. Handwrite a love letter explaining why you want to marry your partner and then have it front and center as the focal point of your marriage proposal.
19. Go Overboard With Candles
Candles are the classic element for romance and a necessity for sprucing up an idea. Set up candles somewhere super romantic such as a beach, a park with a view, or a rooftop. You can create a pathway or a heart and presto….You have a romantic and budget-friendly proposal!
20. Spell Out The Proposal
Make your proposal message extra large by literally making the message extra large. Spell out your partner's name or a sweet message on the ground at your proposal location by using rose petals, candles, or anything else romantic or symbolic. You then "stumble" upon this message and your partner will be shocked when they see you popping the question. We've even seen people spell out the message on a jigsaw puzzle and once put together, it reveals the proposal message! If you are proposing in LA, we have a MARRY ME package on our Los Angeles Proposal Ideas package.
21. Bring In A Grand Piano
Just like candles are classic elements, having a piano in your proposal will add that timeless touch to your proposal. Have a piano set up in a romantic space such as a rooftop or penthouse with a view. When you walk in, there is a pianist who begins playing your special song.
22. Display Milestone Photos
One way to add personalization to any proposal idea is to display your photos around the proposal setup. You can even get artistic and add similar filters to the photos such as black and white, sepia, or special color coding. Let us help with the proposal design to fancy it up!
Adventurous & Outdoor Proposal Ideas
23. Propose In the Snow
A winter wonderland can always bring a beautiful look and wonder to a scene. The contrast of rose petals on snow or candles out in the cold is something that automatically creates a sense of romance. If you plan on proposing in the winter, include snow in your big moment.
24. Propose on a Hike
For the active couple, consider proposing on a hike. It doesn't necessarily have to be a difficult hike either. The hike can be a quaint place but of course it's even better if the location has a beautiful view. Set up something really special at the top of the peak. An example could be a romantic sign or a note displayed creatively.
25. Plan A Proposal On Stage
We get so many requests to propose on stage after a Broadway show. This is a really cool idea which can lead to the ultimate surprise proposal, but does require a lot of lead time to arrange it with production (and it's not always possible) so keep that in mind. If you need a hand, hire us to plan it for you.
26. Hot Air Balloon
For the thrill seeker, take your partner on a romantic and adventurous hot air balloon ride over a gorgeous countryside. There are many areas throughout the country where there are beautiful views. Upon landing surprise your partner by getting on bended knee. This is an amazing way to ask the big question!
27. Charter A Helicopter
If your partner loves flying, consider proposing on a private helicopter ride over the city. Just make sure they are not afraid of helicopters or heights! We want this to be the best moment of their life, not a scary one.
28. Plan A Romantic Picnic
Having a really romantic picnic is a great proposal idea. Include your partner’s favorite food, colors, and your special photos. You can make the picnic especially romantic with other elements such as romantic pillows, lanterns, framed photos, and flowers or rose petals. This is a great proposal for most seasons; spring, summer, and fall. Bonus idea: Plan a scavenger hunt and have the picnic be the final location!
29. Propose Underwater
Show the depths of your love by proposing underwater. There are many ways of doing this. You can take a dive and have her find something hidden in the water like a message in a bottle. Make sure to secure the ring so you don’t lose it! You can also do other options like an aquarium with scuba divers that display a proposal message to your partner.
30. Skydiving
Take your partner on an adventure of a lifetime! Take a skydive from 10,000 feet in the air and as you're coming down to earth, your partner sees a large banner that asks her to marry you! This is a thrill seeker's dream!
31. Set Up On The Beach
The beach is always considered a romantic location, especially around sunset. With ocean views, soft sand, and relaxing sounds, it can be the perfect spot to get on one knee. You can set up something romantic and unexpected on the beach like the proposal we did for Raul above and your partner will have lasting memories of it forever.
32. Include An Adorable Sea Lion
If your partner loves sea lions or cute animals then you will win major bonus points with this perfect proposal idea! It's completely unexpected and will bring loving joy to your partner. Consider booking a package where the sea lion brings your partner a buoy that says, “Marry Me?"
33. A Picturesque Proposal
Does your partner LOVE Instagram? Then consider taking them on a photo tour along a scenic area of town right around sunset so that all the images would be Instagram-perfect. Your photographer will take all the photos and at just the right time, they’ll capture your proposal.
Elaborate Proposal Ideas
34. Incorporate Fashion
If your partner loves fashion, consider sending them on a shopping spree as part of your proposal. Ask their best friend to help you pick out some of their favorite local stores. Send them to each store and arrange for them to receive gifts before meeting you at the final proposal destination.
35. Light Up The Sky With Fireworks
If you have the budget for it, then fireworks are a great way to add the “wow factor” to all proposal ideas occurring at night. Just make sure to research the city rules and terms and allow yourself enough time to apply for a permit. You will want to work with a Proposal Planner and check with the Fire Department on this elaborate idea.
36. Cold Sparklers
An alternative to fireworks is to have cold sparklers go off right after your partner says yes. This requires a lot of planning but when done correctly, it can be an epic surprise. Cold Sparklers are a lot easier to deal with than fireworks since they aren't a fire hazard.
37. Create A Sand Sculpture
An exciting proposal idea is having a sand sculpture created. You'll be at the beach so that already adds the romantic element. When it comes to the actual sculpture in the sand, the possibilities are endless. It should represent important moments in your relationship.
38. Drone Display
For something truly exceptional, create an elaborate and customized drone display that creates artwork and written messages in the air for your love. This is truly unique and will create an incredible WOW factor! Your partner will not be able to say No!
Creative & Unique Proposal Ideas
39. Recreate A Music Video
As we did for Cincinnati Bengals George Iloka above, recreate a music video that is meaningful to your relationship. It could be a sappy song or you could add humor like George did.
40. Incorporate Your Initials
One way to really personalize your proposal is to include your initials. For a proposal idea like this, you could include your initials in rose petals, candles, or some other creative way.
41. Design A Picture Book
Picture books and memory books are great additions to your proposal setup. Use it as the proposal finale and you are sure to get a weepy yes. For the more technologically advanced, you could also create a movie slideshow.
42. The Happiest Disney Proposal
If your partner is a lover of Disney, consider a Disney theme proposal idea or proposing at Disneyland. Just keep in mind that Disney parks are a bit strict about what they allow at the park. Check out our blogs for more tips on how to propose at Disneyland.
43. Painted Artwork
Commission a professional artist to custom make a painting of you on bended knee for your partner. Display this custom artwork at a gallery and tell your partner you want to check out the gallery. To their surprise, the highlight of the gallery will be your proposal which is depicted in the actual painting!
44. Include Children
If you and your partner have children together or have young children in your family that are special to you (such as nieces or nephews), bring them in for your special moment. Have them wear a cute shirt or hold flowers as you propose. Just never let them hold the rings.
45. Work With An Artist
Have an artist waiting for you at a predetermined location. They can hand draw the proposal or another romantic scene from your relationship. They can even draw the very place you are standing the moment you propose.
46. Bring On The Cuddly Pets
There are many couples that are animal lovers and the proposer would love to have that precious pet included in the proposal. This can be a great idea but also can be difficult depending on the pet. We have planned pug-posals, proposals using cats, and even a petting zoo. If your partner is an animal lover, this could be the basis of a great proposal idea.
47. Using a Cool Ring Box
What is the point of having a really cool proposal and a really basic ring box? If the ring box is the size of a shoe box, then that can actually ruin a proposal because your partner might suspect you're hiding the ring box. As a solution, check out the slim, rotating ring box at Ring Stash.
48. Create A Custom Song
For the couple that looks as the details, you can have a song custom written by a professional songwriter. Have him or her play that song or have it performed as you propose. Your partner will always remember that song.
49. Pinterest Proposal
Follow your partner on Pinterest and find out exactly what their dream proposal is and then re-create it. Many partners actually have a Pinterest board created in the hopes of their partner finding it so that they get the proposal of their dreams.
50. Incorporate Holidays
If you are planning on proposing during a holiday, use that holiday as a theme. For example, if you are planning on proposing near Christmas, maybe you can incorporate customized Christmas ornaments on your tree.
51. Escape Room Proposal
Take your partner on a seemingly fun date to an escape room. Little will they know that at the end of the game, they will not only be solving the clues to escape but also to their own proposal reveal!