How To Save Your Proposal During A Natural Disaster

Last month we had 2 proposals in NYC and Rhode Island.  Both were threatened to be ruined by Hurricane Henri.  Several years ago, many marriage proposals were threatened by Hurricane Sandy. Extreme weather and natural disasters are real problems and you are going to want to be prepared if one of these events happen when you propose. 

What can you do?

First of all, stay calm. You do not want to get overwhelmed and worked up over this. Freaking out definitely won’t help anybody. You want to be calm and collected to think through your options and then make a decision that is in the best interest of you, your soon-to-be fiancé, and any family and friends you were planning to invite.

Above all else, put safety first. Is the natural disaster something that is going to threaten the safety of you or anybody else arriving at the proposal location? Do you have things to do at home to prepare for the storm or any other potential disaster? If you have things to do, especially together, maybe it is not the right time to propose.

If you are both stressed, it won’t be such a memorable occasion. You’ll be thinking of what else you need to prepare, how you’re going to get home, if it’s safe out there… It is definitely better to postpone so everybody stays safe.

Sure, postponing is disappointing. All of this time and effort to prepare something gorgeous feels wasted, but believe me when I say, it is definitely not. You are still going to use everything you prepared, just give it a few more days/weeks. It will be just as special-if not more so, because you waited so you can both fully enjoy the moment.

Planning to proceed? No problem, we’ve got some tips for you!

You may need to rearrange your plans if you are going to go forward with the proposal plans. If you were planning for an evening proposal, consider an afternoon proposal, way before the storm/disaster is set to happen. Also be sure to head out very early. When natural disasters are looming, many more people are out on the streets getting prepared. Traffic is higher and people are driving anxiously.

Give yourself time

This is probably one of the most important tips we can give you.  You are going to want it and need it. Plan to arrive early, plan for detours, plan for heavy rain. A proposal during a natural disaster is going to take a lot more planning!

Think about the location

If you were planning to propose outside, maybe get some reservations set up at a restaurant or a romantic place you think the both of you will enjoy. You could even move your consider your proposal plans into your hotel room or house.  You will want to adjust your plans accordingly so you are not outdoors getting wet during one of the most momentous occasions of your life!

Have a back up plan

Is the venue you were planning to use unavailable? Have a second idea. Is the spot you wanted to propose at blocked off because of natural disaster preparations? Have another favorite spot tucked away for this. 

If you want to propose outdoors, have some clear or pretty umbrellas set up and ready to go.  Scope out the backup plan so you know exactly what you are going to do if it comes down to that.

A fun idea to propose would be to tell her you got a hotel room for the night. But have the room set up into a romantic haven full of candles and rose petals to create the perfect atmosphere for a proposal. We can help you get this set up! It is a great way to still make it happen, enjoy a night away celebrating together, and relax even during a storm.

Consider Your Partner

Another thing to consider in all of this planning is your partner. What are they like? Are they someone that would feel sad or disappointed that their dream proposal didn’t happen? Would they have wanted a sunset proposal and family and friends there to celebrate?  Ask yourself these questions! Your sweetheart may not want to be drenched in rain, mascara smearing, and sad that this was the way it happened. However, if your partner is a trooper, likes a fun and exciting time, and you don’t think they would mind- go for it! 

There are a few ways to still plan a fun proposal during a natural disaster. The most important thing to consider is everyone’s safety. But if you have a way to make sure everyone stays safe, then by all means- propose! And let us help you along the way! 

We offer some amazing proposal packages to help you create the most romantic atmosphere and memorable day. Contact us today and let us brainstorm proposal ideas with you. We would love to help bring your proposal ideas to life!