Proposal ideas and FAQs
There are a number of charming and creative ways to propose to the love of your life. Finding one that works for you and your partner is important, and that’s where my list of proposal ideas comes in.
In this post, I share some of my favourite customer engagement stories. I also answer some frequently asked questions about how to pop the question, based on the experiences I have learned from my clients over the years. Bear in mind that each couple is different, and what suits one, may not be appropriate for another. These ideas are to be used as a starting point, and it’s up to you to make them your own.
Ideas based on my customers’ proposal –
Paul’s San Fran. proposal to Natasha
Natasha's other half (now, husband) Paul, popped the question in San Francisco in view of the Golden Gate Bridge, during a trip-of-a-lifetime road trip around California. She asked me to illustrate the moment for his Christmas present, and I love how it's turned out!
Joseph’s woodland proposal to Amy
Joseph set out a gorgeously romantic scene which involved a tree that has a lot of history for them. With the tree being the focus of his proposal setting, he led Amy down the steps towards it with a sign saying “This way Amy”. He attached vintage lanterns and red balloons which read “You are loved”, on the branches of the tree. He also positioned an old-style ladder leaning against the trunk and nailed a Beaufort Street sign to it, and arranged candles around the base. At the bottom of the steps, in the clearing, he got down on one knee and popped the question.
Joseph went to so much effort to make it memorable for Amy but forgot to take any photos of the setup. So he commissioned me to reimagine the moment she said “I do” with an illustration. I have since drawn their wedding portrait, and x2 family portraits as their family has got bigger over the years.
Jaideep’s Brazilian proposal to Samantha
Samantha’s boyfriend, Jaideep, proposed in Brazil with the Rio de Janeiro skyline and Sugarloaf Mountain behind. He asked me to illustrate their engagement with landmarks they’d visited on holiday to frame them. I included the Iguazu Falls and Christ the Redeemer statue. He gave this to Samantha for her birthday as a truly personal gift.
Adam’s London proposal to Sammie
Sammie’s sister, Beth, got in touch to order a bespoke illustration of the moment Sammie’s other half, Adam proposed. She gave it to them as a wedding present. She explained that they got engaged in London standing in front of the London Eye. Beth explained that it took place after sunset with fairy-light-covered trees on either side. She asked me to include the phrase, “forever and always”, to make it extra personal.
They didn’t take any photographs and didn’t have anybody there to witness the event so an illustrated portrait was a lovely way to recreate the occasion.
Amber’s military proposal
Amber and her fiancé got engaged and that night took photos at home. Their favourite photo was a picture of them kissing, with Amber holding her hand with her ring on up to the camera. Unfortunately, they weren’t so keen on the photograph’s background which shows their kitchen sink, so she ask me to recreate it without the background.
Two of my favourite customer engagement stories, written in their own words –
Kaitlyn's story
"I’ll start with this, I LOVE Christmas!!! My story is that my fiancé took me to NYC and proposed at the Rockefeller Tree where the year prior he had asked me to be his girlfriend. The night before (December 13) he told me I would not be going to work for the next couple of days because he had requested these from my new boss and I needed to pack a bag. He woke me up at 2:52 am to let me know that we needed to be out of the house by 3:30 am. By 3 pm we were in New Jersey about to board the train. He had gotten a room in time square with a terrace. We went to dinner and walked to the tree. The year prior we were under the tree where I fangirled over being there because it has always been my dream to go to NYC at Christmas time. There was a photographer there that took random photos of us and approached us after letting us know he took them and asked if we would like to buy them. I knew very early that he was special and I knew I was very lucky to be with him.
Back to this year, so we’re at the tree and he’s looking for a photographer to take our picture. He found a guy who he thought it might have been the same guy from the year prior, it was!!! So he asked him to take pictures and I told him I wanted to pretend like he wasn’t there like last time. So, we were talking, kissing, hugging...when he asked me if I knew how much he loved me. I said yes and he asked me about 3 more times before he got down and asked me to be his wife. We both cried and everyone around us were cheering and clapping. It was truly an amazing experience. The following day it snowed and we were able to watch the snow fall from our hotel terrace and even had a mini snowball fight.”
Emily’s story
"Me and my fiancé (Dan) got engaged on Christmas Day this year, it was a complete surprise! We have been together for 4 and a half years, lived together for 2 years and have know for a long time that we want to spend the rest of our lives together. However, I was definitely not expecting a proposal on Christmas morning! On Christmas day, my fiancé had wrapped up all my presents, a bottle of gin, chocolates, a beautiful Tiffany necklace and then there was one huge present left. He said this is a jokey present and just for a bit of a laugh (I imagined it would be a cat related present as we have a little kitten). As I unwrapped the box, inside was a smaller box wrapped up (still rather large), I unwrapped this to find a smaller round box (like a cake tin) wrapped up again, I unwrapped this and it kept going, just like Russian dolls, until I finally unwrapped the smallest circular box and found a little box wrapped in gold paper. At this point, my other half was on one knee in front of me, took the box from my hand and opened it, asking "Will you marry me?". I burst out crying, managing to say yes and he put the ring on my finger. To make it even more special, the ring belonged to my auntie who sadly passed away last Christmas, it is absolutely perfect and I'm still in shock that we’re engaged!”
Frequently asked questions about proposing
What is the most romantic way to propose?
There isn’t a “one size fits all” answer because couples differ from one to another. Different people consider different things romantic, so it’s important to put care into your proposal. Go above and beyond to show your other half what they mean to you, and include elements that you know they will love. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Sometimes the most romantic ideas are sentimental touches which don’t cost much or are free. Place your other half at the centre of your plans, and you can't go far wrong.
How should I propose?
Ask yourself what your partner would love. Would they like to be asked in public, or prefer an intimate proposal when it’s just the two of you? Some people prefer grand gestures, whilst others would be most comfortable in a low-key setting such as at home, or in a familiar place.
What do I say when I propose?
There is no right thing to say. It’s important that what you do say is meaningful and comes from the heart. Be yourself and don’t regurgitate someone else’s words. The essential thing is not to forget to actually ask the question!
Should I have a ring when I propose?
Again this is down to what you think your boyfriend or girlfriend would prefer. Many people appreciate being presented with a ring their partner has chosen specifically for them, whilst others would be grateful to choose their engagement ring themselves.
What should I do after they have said “yes”?
You don’t want it to be anticlimactic, so have a plan for what you’re going to do after you have got down on one knee. Go for a romantic meal, drinks in a classy bar, go away for the weekend, or visit your friends and family to celebrate.
If you are planning a laid-back engagement, you can still put the effort in to do something to mark the occasion. You could chill a bottle of champagne, book a couples massage, buy a tree to plant, or take some photographs to commemorate the moment.
Now that you have some creative marriage proposal ideas in your back pocket, use them as inspiration to ask your love to spend the rest of your lives together. Try not to worry about what proposing should look like and instead think of what is important to your partner and your relationship. Don’t forget to take some photos so I can use them as a reference to create an original piece of art for your home. If you do forget, don’t worry – I can use what you tell me to bring the moment you got engaged to life in the form of an illustration too.
