Throughout the ages, proposals and proposition ideas were exclusively the provinces of guys. All a woman needed to do was express surprise and acceptance. However, like with many other trends that are now more equal, the proposal environment has become a little more nuanced. Both may propose, which creates double the possibilities (and sometimes twice the pressure) to come up with a romantic and memorable manner to ask for his or her hand in marriage.

It might appear to be a daunting task, especially with millions (billions?) of proposal ideas on the internet. When deciding how to propose, the most important thing is to make sure your partner will love it and have fun! After all, it’s the experience both of you will remember and cherish for the rest of your lives.

The Secret to a Great Marriage Proposal

The secret to a successful proposal is to truly understand what someone you’re proposing to likes in life. For example, if they love animals, you could stage a puppy adoption with an added marriage proposal at the end. You could hire a flash mob to serenade them with your proposal if they love to sing.

We want you to have a unique and special proposal for you both, so we’ve compiled a long list of some of the most innovative ideas to start your creative juices flowing.

Private or Semi-private Marriage Proposal Ideas

Some people are extroverts, and some are introverts. If you know that your partner is shy or prefers not to be in the public eye too much, consider these ideas for a proposal with just the two of you or close family and friends.

Plan a treasure hunt

This is a great way to make a proposal if your partner loves puzzles and problem-solving. You can hide clues around your house or even around town, leading them on a merry chase to find the final prize – you waiting on one knee with an engagement ring. Check out this guide to buying an engagement ring.

Depending on how long you want the treasure hunt to take, you can make the clues as easy or difficult as you like. You can even incorporate your partner’s favorite things into the clues, such as books, movies, or TV shows.

Create your own unique puzzle

Using block letters, get a blank jigsaw puzzle and spell out your marriage proposal with words or romantic phrases. Once your partner puts the puzzle together, they will see your marriage proposal. You may also include a photo of the two of you in the middle…

You can do this in your own home or even create a giant puzzle outdoors. If you want to make it more challenging, make the puzzle harder to solve by hiding some pieces around the house or yard.

Fill a space with photographs of you and your partner

This is a romantic way to propose, especially if you have a lot of photographs together. You can fill an entire room with photos of the two of you, from your first date to the present day.

You can create a collage or scrapbook of your relationship, with handwritten notes detailing all the special moments you’ve shared together. At the end of the scrapbook, you can include your marriage proposal.

Make use of a book

This is a wonderful method to propose if you and your partner enjoy reading. You can find a book with special meaning for both of you and write your marriage proposal in the margins.

You can hide the ring inside the book, between the pages. When your partner reads the book, they will find your proposal waiting for them.

Hire a private chef

If your partner loves food, this is the perfect way to propose. A professional chef can prepare a romantic supper for the two of you.

You can incorporate the proposal into the meal. Matching the two phrases together is a fun idea. For instance, writing it on a dessert or concealing the ring in a piece of cake might be entertaining.

Hire a professional photographer

You’ll have something else to focus on besides just popping the question. This is a fantastic method to preserve the memory of your proposal for future generations. Proposing in front of a professional photographer will also help calm your nerves if you’re nervous about getting good pictures.

You can hire a photojournalist to document the entire day, from start to finish. This way, you’ll have photos of the moment you proposed and all the special moments leading up to it.

Check out those tips on how to take amazing engagement ring selfies!

Include your children in the activity

This is a fantastic approach to pop the question if you have children. You can include them in the activity, such as having them hide the ring or write the proposal. Plus, it will be a memory that you can all cherish for years to come.

Allow your pet to join the fun

You may include your canine or feline in the plan,  such as having them wear a sign that says “Will you marry daddy?” or “Will you marry mommy?” Your pet can also be a part of the treasure hunt, hiding the final clue or the ring itself.

Invite family members to dine with you

Proposing in front of your family is a more traditional way. You can invite them to a special dinner at a restaurant or home. You can incorporate the proposal into the meal, such as hiding the ring in a piece of cake or writing it on a dessert. Let the family in on the secret and give them roles to play.

Capture the moment in a photo booth

This is a fun and unique way to propose. You can set up a photo booth with props and then have your partner take photos with you in it.

You can have a sign that says “Will you marry me?” or even hide the ring in one of the props. This is a great way to capture the moment and have some fun photos to remember by.

Public Marriage Proposal Ideas

Suppose your loved one is a party goer or loves having a great time surrounded by many people, including strangers. In that case, proposing in a public place is a great idea!

Get a couple of pals or family together and create a dance choreography

This is a fun way to propose, especially if you and your partner love to dance. You can choreograph a dance routine with a group of friends or family members and then surprise your partner with it.

You may incorporate some unique actions into the mix, such as getting down on one knee or displaying a sign that says, “Will you marry me?”

Add live music

This is a great way to propose if you and your partner love music. You can hire a band or musician to play a song and then propose to your partner during the performance.

You can dedicate a song to your partner and then propose at the end of it. What a great way to make your proposal unforgettable, like this song lyrics: “Unforgettable in every way. And forevermore, that’s how you’ll stay.”

Propose at a sports game

If you and your partner are fans of a particular sports team, you can propose to them at a game. You can get tickets for the two of you to sit in a special section, such as the front row or on the 50-yard line. You can spell out your marriage proposal on a sign and hold it up during the game.

If your beloved one has an active lifestyle, you might want to choose a ring adequate for his/her lifestyle.

Dancing night proposal

You can take your partner dancing and then propose to them on the dance floor. You can also hire a band or DJ to play a song and then propose to your partner during the performance.

Theatrical surprise proposal

You can buy tickets to a play or musical and propose to your partner during intermission. You can also hire an actor to propose to your partner and then have the rest of the cast come out and congratulate them.

Bouquet of roses

Ask your partner to meet you in a public place. Have eleven individuals give them a single rose as they walk along the road towards you to offer the final rose. You can hide the ring in the bouquet of roses and have your partner find it when they receive it.

Hire a cartoonist

Arrange a street-side proposal with a cartoonist. Create a picture of you two with word bubbles that say “Will you marry me?” and “Yes!” You can also have the cartoonist draw a picture of your proposal scene and then propose to your partner in front of it.

Propose at an aquarium

Make a proposal show out of your aquarium’s biggest fish tank. Put up a (waterproof) sign that says, “Will you marry me? Yes/No,” and have people vote as they pass by.

A message from the skywriter

This is a somewhat unusual proposal concept. Hire a skywriter to write out your offer in the sky for everyone to see!

The headlines on the morning news

If you want to make a really public proposal, you can buy advertising space on the morning news. You may use message scrolling at the bottom of the display during news or even display a message on the ticker tape.

Ideas for Outdoor Proposals

Plan an outdoor picnic

If you like to be outdoors and enjoy a romantic picnic together, you can pack a picnic basket with your partner’s favorite foods and drinks. Decorate the picnic blanket with flowers or candles, and hide the ring inside a piece of cake.

Take your partner on a hot air balloon or a helicopter ride

You may take a hot air balloon or a helicopter ride together, and then pop the question to your sweetheart while drifting in the air. You can hide the ring in the basket and have your partner find it when they look at the views. Decorate the basket with balloon or the helicopter with flowers or streamers, and have a bottle of champagne on hand to celebrate after you pop the question.

Proposal on the beach

You can propose on the beach and then have a romantic sunset dinner. You can hide the ring in the sand and have your partner find it while digging for shells.

Take a trip to the mountains

Take a trip to the mountains and then propose to your partner when you’re at the top. You can hide the ring in the snow and have your partner find it when pointing at something for them to look at near the ring. 

Proposal Ideas by Season

Here are some ideas for a proposal depending on the season.

Summer proposal ideas

• Music Festival: During the performance of a particular song by your favorite artist, stage a proposal if you and your partner enjoy live music events. If you can get a shout-out from the musician during the performance, it’s even better.
• Road Trip: Plan a lovely summer excursion with a unique spot for your proposal. On the road, put together a playlist of songs from your relationship journey and make some stops to participate in their favorite hobbies so that they’re relaxed and cheerful when you ask them.
• Fireworks display: Propose during the July Fourth fireworks display. Make a private message in sparklers that says “Marry me” with the help of a professional.

Fall proposal ideas

• Pumpkin proposal: You can carve a pumpkin with your proposal message and hide the ring inside.
• Apple Proposal: You can hide the ring inside an apple and give it to your partner. 

Winter proposal ideas

• Snow proposal: You can hide the ring inside a snowball and then give it to your partner.
• Igloo proposal: You can build an igloo or rent one and hide the ring inside.

Spring proposal ideas

• Maple sugar shack: As the snow thaws, the sap rises, and the maple syrup festivals begin, go into the woods for your romantic surprise. Sprinkle some maple syrup taffy over the snow to spell out, “Will you marry me?”
• Cherry blossom proposal: Is there anything more romantic than delicate cherry blossoms? Propose under a blooming tree for an unforgettable spring moment. Scatter some petals around to really set the scene.

Vacation Proposal Ideas

The Eifel Tower, Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge – how many couples decided to tie the knot after a romantic proposal in one of those locations? Vacation proposals are the most popular on social media and in movies. If you plan to make a grand gesture on your vacation, here are some ideas for you.

Your hotel as a romantic proposal site

If you’re on vacation with your partner, you can propose to them in your hotel room. You can hide the ring in the room and have your partner find it, or you can ask the hotel staff to put the ring in a box and have them bring it to your room.

Tour guide

If you’re taking a tour of a local attraction, you can ask the tour guide to help you propose. The tour guide can hide the ring in a box and give it to your partner, or they can put the ring in a special place for your partner to find.

Airplane announcement

You can make an announcement on the airplane PA system and propose to your partner. You may hide the ring in a box and have the flight attendant pass it to your spouse, or you can request that the pilot assist you in proposing.

Proposal in a fairytale Disney style

If your partner is a Disney fan, this is the perfect way to propose. You can take them to Disneyland or Walt Disney World and propose in front of Cinderella’s Castle. You can hide the ring in a box and have the staff give it to your partner, or you can ask Mickey Mouse to help you propose.

Do It Yourself Proposal Ideas

For a simple but beautiful experience, consider making something with your hands to create this special moment.

• You can make your own proposal sign using construction paper and a marker. Write a sweet message on the sign, and then hide it somewhere your partner will find it. 
• You can do a scavenger hunt for your partner to find the ring. Hide clues around your house or neighborhood, and then have your partner follow the clues to find the ring.
• You can write a poem or story about your relationship and hide the ring inside. Give the poem or story to your partner, and then watch their reaction as they find the ring.
• You can bake a cake or cookies and hide the ring inside.
• You can write a song or do a dance… the possibilities are endless!

(Cuffing Season) Fall and Winter Proposal Ideas

• Carve pumpkins together and write “Marry Me?” inside one of them. 

• Make a gingerbread house and use miniature engagement rings as decorations instead of candy. Put a ring inside the house, and then get down on one knee to pop the question when your partner takes a bite.
• Wrap up the ring box in several layers of wrapping paper. Attach a note, “To my true love” When your partner unwraps the gift they’ll be surprised with both the ring and your proposal. 

• Cook dinner together and slip the ring ontop of one of the entrees.
• Make a pumpkin pie together and write “Marry Me?” in the crust.
• Get creative with customized proposal cookies or chocolates.
• Incorporate your family’s traditions into your proposal.
• Propose during halftime at the local high school football game (bonus points if you wear matching jerseys).
• Cook dinner for your loved one and set the table with candles and roses. After dinner, get down on one knee and propose!
• Plan a weekend getaway to a romantic location like Paris or Venice. On the last night of your trip, take your partner to a beautiful spot and propose under the stars.

New Year’s Eve Proposal

The ideal moment to ask your lover to marry you is New Year’s Eve. The night is full of possibilities, and there’s no better way to start the new year than by getting engaged. Here are a few ideas to make your proposal extra special:

• Pop the question at 12:00 a.m. As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, take out the ring and propose to your partner. It’s a moment they’ll never forget!
• Do it in front of a crowd. If you’re planning to watch the count down, use it as an opportunity to propose in front of everyone. It’s a great way to make your proposal extra memorable for everyone!

Ideas for Online Proposals

These ideas will work for a long-distance relationship or if you and your partner are into online gaming and social media. Adding an element of social media to other ideas that we describe could also work (and get you some extra likes).

• Livestream: Create a live streaming channel and invite all of your friends and family to watch the offer in real-time from wherever you choose to pop the question.
• Virtual proposal: Suppose you’re in a long-distance relationship and need to propose from across the world. In that case, a Zoom or FaceTime conversation might be used for the big occasion. You might propose to your sweetheart over the phone, in a group call with family members, or while on a date.
• Status of the relationship: Update your social media profile (for example, on Instagram or Facebook) with “fiance(e)” in your bio. Before they figure out what’s going on, ask them what they think of your feed and enjoy the confusion on their face.
• Video game placement: You can propose in a video game by hiding the ring image in the game. When your partner goes to that location in the game, they will find the proposal message along with the ring.
• Make a TikTok video: You can make a TikTok video and hide the ring in the video. When your partner watches the video, they will see the proposal message and the ring.
• An E-mail proposal: Send your partner an e-mail with a picture of the ring and a note, “I found this ring, and I think it would look great on you. Will you marry me?” Your partner can then reply with a “yes” or “no.”
• Insert a slideshow with text: You can insert a proposal slideshow into a presentation that you’re giving to your partner. The proposal message will appear along with the ring when your partner views the slides.

In Conclusion

These are just a few ideas to help you get started. The most important thing is to make sure your proposal is personal and unique to you and your relationship. With a little creativity, you’re sure to come up with a proposal that will be remembered forever.

Thank you for reading! We hope this helped give you some inspiration for your own marriage proposal. If you have any questions or want more information, please feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to help!

Read those extra tips for a perfect marriage proposal!