Looking for romantic ways to propose? Here’s how to surprise your partner with original ideas.
We know all about those pre-proposal nerves. If you’re having a complete mind block amongst all the anticipation, we can help you out. Read the following suggestions so that you can be inspired for a fun and different proposal to surprise your partner with. Just don’t forget that the perfect proposal is only perfect if it is reminiscent of the two of you’s relationship. Thinking about taking the go big or go home approach? Hire a photographer to capture that special moment.
To make matters more simple for you, we’ve included a rating of ease and cost for each plan, so that you can choose the proposal that best suits you.
Ideas for public proposals
1- Go to your favourite place that you share together– outside or inside it doesn’t matter! When you arrive, ask someone to take a photo of the two of you together, and when the camera flashes, drop to one knee and pop the question!
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
2- Organise a musical surprise for your partner – hire a musical arrangement of your partners favourite song, or ‘your’ song that you share together. To really personalise the moment, ask the performers to include your bride/groom-to-be’s name in the song.
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 3/5
3- If you love the drama of it all – go and see a favourite production together and get in touch before with the stage manager to see if you can propose after curtain call. A thoughtful way to commemorate the moment would be to see if you can have an ad placed in the playbill, something to have and to hold forever!
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 2/5
4- Street art surprise – find a caricaturist and have them draw a picture of the two of you with the words ‘Will you marry me?’ and ‘Yes!’ above your heads.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 2/5
5- They won’t suspect anything fishy – go to an aquarium and ask the divers to hold up a ‘Will you marry me?” sign against the glass at feeding time. Just don’t forget to waterproof it!
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 2/5
6- X marks the proposal…? – Organise a treasure trail with a series of clues leading to your proposal. Make sure the hunt goes all over your favourite places which are meaningful to you and your partner.
Effort: 4/5
Cost: 1/5
7- The DJ has us falling in love – propose on the dancefloor! Request their favourite song and pop the question on the mic.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
8- Love is in the air – hire a plane to spell out those special words ‘Will you marry me?” in the sky.
Effort: 4/5
Cost: 5/5
9- A current affair – you and your partner like keeping up to date with the world around you? Well it’s time to bring your fiance up to speed on how much you love them. Take out an ad in your local paper and read up on the week’s events together.
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 4/5
10- Stereo hearts – if your partner always has the radio blaring, why not call in and pop the question live on air? Just make sure they’re tuned in!
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
Ideas for a destination proposal
11- This is NOT your captain speaking– plan a romantic trip away together, and ask the cabin crew if you can make a special announcement whilst on board. Literally go to the skies and beyond for this proposal.
Effort: 4/5
Cost: 4/5
12- It’s amore – channel the romance of Italy and rent out a Vespa to tour the city with your beloved. Make sure they wear a helmet, and when you pass it to them, they will find the ring waiting for them inside.
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 3/5
13- A sandy surprise – head down to the beach and get creative in the sand, sculpting a castle…then when your partner looks away place the ring on the highest tower. Just make sure your creation isn’t swept away into the ocean, as your partner surely will be by your surprise.
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
14- Unwind in a hotel together – after a day filled with excitement exploring your new location together, head back to a hotel and have a drink. Once you and your partner are feeling relaxed, head up to a suite and make sure the hotel has arranged all the necessities for a romantic proposal. Petals, candles and champagne should all be involved, and then propose.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 2/5
15- The adventure of a lifetime – nature lovers? Then go exploring on a hike and once you reach the peak of your climb, ask the question. Just make sure the ring isn’t lost on your journey before you start the rest of your journey together!
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
Ideas for a DIY-inspired proposal
16- A family affair – gather all your nearest and dearest to help you surprise your sweetheart. Have everyone dress in a t-shirt or carry balloons that spell out ‘Will you marry me?’. Make sure you take a group photo and the phrase is spelt out for your future fiance to see.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
17- You’re a star – and they should know it. A very easy DIY proposal is to simply find glow in the dark stars, spell out your proposal and then wait until bedtime to turn out the lights for the most unexpected surprise.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
18- Spell it out – similar to the proposal idea above, but just in a different room of your house. Use magnetic letters to write out ‘Will you marry me?’ and surprise your partner when they next go to the fridge. A meal they won’t forget!
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
19- A throwback proposal – go old school and chalk out your love for your partner in the streets. Low key and artistic, there’s lots of room for experimentation with this idea.
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
20- The writing is on the wall – time to get very hands-on and make a DIY ‘Will you marry me?’ sign using any material you can find. If this isn’t your area of expertise, then why not hire an artist to create it for you. Go on a walk and come across this giant sculpture resting against a wall and surprise your loved one.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 2/5
Ideas for a stay-at-home proposal
21- Love is all around – literally plaster the walls with your loved one, with photos of the two of you everywhere. Alternatively, hang photos from balloons that fill the room for an extravagant surprise.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
22- You light up my life – create a trail of candles in your apartment that lead to a circle of small candles with the engagement ring placed in the middle. Just don’t forget to turn the lights out and be careful with the flames!
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
23- A very good morning – if your partner is a heavy sleeper then this will surely be a surprise wake up for them. Simply slip the ring on their finger before they awake and then wake them up to champagne and strawberries.
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
24- Caught in a web of love – find some red ribbon and tie it from one spot to another throughout your home, attach notes of love or memories and photos to each string, and wait for your partner at the end of the trail.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
25- Wined and dined – are the two of you foodies? Time to chef up a five-star meal of their favourite foods and propose over dessert. If this isn’t your forte then why not hire a chef to do it for you.
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 3/5
26- You’re the missing piece of my puzzle – order a custom puzzle with a photo of the two of you together and the words ‘Will you marry me?’. Perfect for a rainy day proposal. Pop the question when your partner clocks on.
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 2/5
Ideas for a tech inspired proposal
27- Broadcast your love – if your partner is a music lover then add an unexpected addition to their Spotify playlist with a proposal, or if podcasts are more their thing, then record your proposal in that format.
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 1/5
28- I.L.Y – make posters that spell out your proposal, take photos of your friends holding them and then text them to your partner.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
29- Our love has gone viral – design a website with the proposal displayed one it, leave a note somewhere where your partner will see it so that they type in the link and…surprise!
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 2/5
30- Live stream your love – as it says, set up a live stream and create your own virtual theatre as your family and friends watch the special moment.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
31- Life update – update your social media status to ‘engaged’ or ‘fiance’ and scroll through your phone with your beloved to see if they approve of your latest status update!
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
Ideas for a scrumptious proposal
32- Restaurant romance – surprise your future-bride/groom by placing the ring on the dessert trolley at your favourite restaurant.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
33- Party rings – arrange their favourite sweet treats in a hamper or a gift basket, and hide the ring amongst everything in there. Wait for them to work their way through the goodies until…surprise!
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 2/5
34- Eat your feelings – order a cake and get the pastry chef to decorate it with the words ‘Will you marry me?’.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 3/5
35- Cheers to us – print a custom label to put on a nice bottle of bubbly to toast your engagement with after they say yes!
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 2/5
36- The dish of the day is love – ask your favourite restaurant to give your partner a ‘specials’ menu provided by you, and on their list your proposal as the meal of the day/
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 3/5
Ideas for proposals at work
37- A bright start to the working day – surprise your future fiance by sneaking into their office before they arrive, write your proposal in the room and hide until they read it.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
38- Baby it’s cold outside – be a lovely caring partner and offer to defrost their car before work. Scrape off all the ice and write your proposal in the frost on their front window. A wintry surprise.
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
39- Not your average working day – at the end of your partners working day, schedule a last minute conference, surprise them and whisk them away for a romantic proposal.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
Ideas to be caught on camera
40- Lights, camera, proposal! – congratulations you and your partner have won a photo shoot, or that’s what you’ll tell them anyway! Hire a Flytographer and propose mid-shoot, the perfect idea as you get the before and after, which can become an engagement shoot.
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 2/5
41- Capture your surprise – ask your photographer to hide until the moment you propose and then capture the surprise on your partners face forever with a photo of the special moment.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 2/5
42- Picture perfect – tell your fiance that you guys have been selected as models for a casting call and then propose when the flash goes off. A professional polish to your proposal.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 2/5
Ideas for a playful proposal
43- Fake it til you make it – why not make your intentions clear! Show your partner a ring catalogue asking which ones they like and when they pick a few out, put the catalogue away and ask ‘what about this one?’ as you propose with the real ring.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
44- A big delivery – why not have yourself wrapped in a box and delivered to your partners front door? Place a note on top addressed to them, and once they unwrap it, jump up and surprise them with a proposal.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
45- Open and see! – hide the ring inside a kinder egg or in a tube of crisps.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
46- I want a love like one in the films – everyone has their favourite romantic movie, so why not act out your partners, ending with your proposal at the end. A good example would be the scene in Love Actually where the whole restaurant is lit up and he proposes to her while she is up on the terrace floor of the restaurant.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 3/5
Ideas for a winter or autumnal proposal
47- A leafy surprise – wait until the leaves have fallen from the trees and organise them to spell out your proposal on the ground. Perfect for the outdoorsy partner!
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
48- The light of my life – string some fairy lights outdoors to light up your proposal, in a simple but stunning backyard proposal surrounded by your nearest and dearest.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
49- Don’t say s-no-w, say yes! – make your partner feel like they’re in their very own winter wonderland and sculpt a snowman proposal, tell your future-fiancé to look outside and then mimic the scene yourself when they turn back around.
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
50- Your love lifts me up – a nostalgic proposal, write ‘Will you marry me?’ on the underside of a kite and watch your partner react as the question takes to the skies and love lifts them up.
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
Ideas for spring and summertime proposals
51- I bloomin’ love you – choose a floral setting for your proposal, a botanic garden or a park in bloom.
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
52- Proposing is no picnic – but it could be! Why don’t you surprise your partner with a pre-arranged picnic that you happen to ‘stumble upon’ in a special spot. Get family and friends to pack a hamper of wine and cheese, or perhaps delicious sweet treats. Then propose when you arrive.
Effort:2/5
Cost: 1/5
53- Written in the stars – there is nothing more simple and romantic than just laying back with your partner on a summer night to stargaze. Propose under the stars and enjoy the moment. Bonus points if you pick a lunar eclipse or something unique like that!
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
54- Pick of the bunch – a wholesome summer activity like fruit picking is not the typical proposal scene but has a certain earthy feel to it that would definitely appeal to an outdoorsy fiancé. Tell them you’ve found the perfect pick, and place the ring (in a box) for them to find.
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
55- X marks the proposal – this idea needs careful execution but is very romantic. The night before a trip to the beach, write a love poem and bottle it up, then bury it in the sand for your future bride/groom to unearth the next day. Make sure you find it together and then propose once they have read it.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
Ideas for surprise party proposals
56- Birthday bash – plan a ‘surprise birthday party’ but pretend to spoil the surprise by arriving early. Then for the actual surprise when you propose and all your family and friends arrive for a birthday x proposal party!
Effort: 3/7
Cost: 2/5
57- Proposal party – there is no time quite like the present, so why not propose at a party? Get all your family and friends together then pop the question in front of everyone. Drinks will be in order once they say yes!
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 2/5
58- Park proposal – make sure all your family and friends are hidden from sight whilst you propose in the fresh air. Once they say yes, everyone will appear and be ready to celebrate with the two of you.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
Ideas for a destination proposal
59- Start as we mean to go on – ring in the New Year with a proposal, to fill your partner with excitement for the year to come! Celebrate with champagne and party the night away.
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
60- And they called it puppy love – is your fiancé an animal lover? Surprise them with the puppy or kitten they’ve been talking about and tie the ring to their collar, so when they meet their new pet they pick it up and see the double surprise!
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 2/5
61- Be my Valentine (forever)? – go old-school and write sweet little valentines day cards like the ones you wrote to friends at school. Trail them around the house for your partner to find on the days leading up to the 14th. Then when the big day arrives gift them some chocolates and replace one with the ring!
Effort: 1/5
Cost: 1/5
62- You light me up – Bonfire Night could be the scene for a sparkling proposal to light up the sky. Go to a fireworks display and ask the professionals to include your own special display, and write ‘Will you marry me?’ in the sky.
Effort: 3/5
Cost: 2/5
63- A not-so-spooky surprise – this is one for the Halloween lovers out there! Host a pumpkin carving session at yours, and at the end when the pumpkins are being judged, reveal yours with ‘Will you marry me?’ carved in it.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
64- Love you a latke! – Build up to Hanukkah with a hint for all of the eight days beforehand, and then on the day…propose!
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
65- An egg-citing proposal – for an Easter themed proposal create an easter egg hunt for your loved one with notes telling them how much you love them, and why! The final egg should be a large, golden egg with the ring inside for the ultimate surprise.
Effort: 2/5
Cost: 1/5
So there they are! Our most unique proposal ideas, and now hopefully you have some of your own to surprise that special person in your life. Remember to tell us how it went after and share all the details of that emotional moment. We can’t wait to hear!
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