Before we get into it, let us start by saying how excited we are for you and your future fiancée! Why? Well, if you’re reading this blog, it seems pretty likely that it’s because you’re ready to figure out exactly how you’re going to pop the question!
Of course, planning the perfect proposal can also come with a bit of pressure, and you might not yet have settled on exactly how you want to propose. Thankfully, we’re here to help and have pulled together lots of inspiration, from simple proposal ideas if you prefer to keep things private all the way to unforgettable proposal ideas that will blow their mind.
Simple proposal ideas
Not everybody wants to be proposed to in front of others or for it to be made a huge deal of, and there’s no reason it has to be! So, if you and your partner prefer to keep things a bit more low-key, these simple proposal ideas might be better suited to you two.
Curled up in bed
For those who love a good cuddle session, the bed may be the perfect setting for your proposal. Depending on what you think would work best, there are a few ways this could work.
For instance, you could just casually roll over in the morning (presumably getting the ring out of your bedside cabinet) and ask them first thing.
Alternatively, if you reckon you can get up and move around quietly enough, you could set up some balloons and confetti in your bedroom and then bring them breakfast in bed before popping the question.
Either way, even if they’re not typically a morning person, there’s no way someone can remain grumpy after this.
Under the Christmas tree
If you’re going to propose, you might as well do so during the most wonderful time of the year – Christmas! Luckily, there are lots of options when it comes to Christmas proposal ideas.
One way could involve waiting until the 25th itself and popping the ring in their stocking for them to find on Christmas morning.
Or, if you simply can’t wait until then, when you decide to decorate your tree, you could have a bauble that asks the question for you and hand it to them to put on the tree (let’s just hope they notice it!).
Whatever it is you decide to do, a festive proposal is only going to make everything more joyous!
Watching the sunset
If you’re lucky enough to have a lovely garden area, going outside and waiting until the sun begins to set could be a simple yet beautiful setting for your proposal.
Timing is key with this, so you might want to Google what time the sunset is beforehand. However, you could easily make a whole evening of it by eating outside and just enjoying each other’s company.
Don’t forget, you’ll also be able to get some absolutely stunning engagement photos with gorgeous orange and pink hues from the sky in the background.
Romantic proposal ideas
We’re sure they’ll adore whatever way you decide to propose, but we have come up with a few extra thoughtful options that we reckon will really wow your other half. With all of the below romantic proposal ideas, you can also add another heartfelt touch by preparing some sort of proposal speech.
Recreate your first date
Everybody loves a bit of nostalgia, so it’s time to walk down memory lane and take it back to where it all began by recreating your first date as closely as possible. Depending on what you get up to, you might have to get a little creative, but it will be worth it!
The only thing that will be hugely different is that instead of agreeing on a second date or having your first kiss, you’ll end this date by getting down on one knee and asking them the all-important question.
Create a scrapbook of your relationship
For something a little bit more sentimental, why not propose using a scrapbook? Gather lots of pictures and mementoes from throughout your relationship and collate them into this one book, with the final filled-in page saying, ‘Will you marry me’.
Another great part about this idea is that it serves as a sweet token, marking the big moment that they’ll cherish for life (as well as the engagement ring… obviously). What’s more, you can still continue to use the scrapbook during the wedding planning process until it’s completely full.
No idea where to start? We’ve actually already written a whole guide all about how to make a scrapbook full of ideas and tips.
At the beach
For those thinking about proposing abroad, a beach proposal couldn’t be more romantic. Think about it; you’ve got the sound of the ocean and the soft sand under your bare feet.
To really set the mood, set up some candles along with a blanket for the two of you to sit on. And if you’re not sure what we mean, you can easily find photo inspiration floating around online!
The most important thing to think about with this one is whether there’s going to be a lot of people around. With that in mind, your best bet may be on an evening when it will be even more picturesque and atmospheric—essentially, it would be like the sunset proposal we mentioned previously but taken to another level.
Unforgettable proposal ideas
Now onto some unforgettable proposal ideas that are more extravagant and will require some pre-planning on your part.
Organise a scavenger hunt
Make things fun and adventurous by setting out some clues for your other half to follow with a scavenger hunt proposal.
Send them here, there, and everywhere with the aim of totally throwing them off the scent. We bet that they’d never guess that the treasure at the end of the hunt is, in fact, you getting down on one knee and asking them to marry you!
Create an engagement video
This idea is more suited for those who have the necessary editing capabilities, but a wonderful way to put those skills to good use is by creating an engagement video.
How you go about doing this is completely up to you. A few ideas we reckon would work include your own movie trailer, recreating a music video, or even a classic compilation of cute relationship moments. If you want to be cheeky about it, you could also try sneakily getting some clips of you with the ring with them while they’re blissfully unaware.
After they’re done watching the video, it will probably be clear what’s going on, and all you’ll need to do is have the ring ready to ask whether they would do the honour of marrying you. (And if you don’t have the ring sorted yet, our guide on popular engagement ring styles can help you get clued up!)
At a concert
If you and your partner love a good concert, this one’s for you! Next time you spot an upcoming concert from one of your loved ones’ favourite artists or someone you both enjoy, be sure to book some tickets. Ahead of time, try getting in touch with the artist’s management, event organiser, or the venue to see if you can get them to help out with your proposal and turn it into a grand gesture.
And if that doesn’t pan out, it’s okay. Instead, when their favourite song starts to play, you can turn to them and get down on one knee. Those around you will probably notice, and if you’re super lucky, you might still be able to get the artist’s attention anyway.
Those are all of the different proposal ideas that we came up with, and we hope we’ve helped you think more about what you might want to do.
But what about after you’re engaged? Well, then it’s time to celebrate with all your nearest and dearest, and we’ve actually got another helpful guide that goes through everything you need to know about planning the perfect engagement party.
Perhaps you’ve got other friends who are also proposing around a similar time to you? Well, you’ll want to congratulate them by sending one of our engagement cards their way. Here’s a sneak peek at the types of cards our talented community of creators have come up with:
As you might be able to tell, we love celebrating all of life’s special moments here at thortful. In fact, over on our blog, you can find lots of other wonderful articles ranging from what to write inspiration and happy reads to how-to guides and special occasion inspiration.
