You’re planning the perfect marriage proposal for the love of your life and surely want that resounding ‘a hundred times yes!’ However, planning a magnificent proposal that is just what your partner would expect in terms of effort, prior planning, and execution are easier said than done. 

The proposal is, in many ways, the start of your marriage so it needs to tick a lot of boxes in terms of expectations. Here’s how you can plan and carry out a perfect marriage proposal that will be remembered through the generations. 

Perfect Marriage Proposal Ideas: ready to pop the question?

Before setting the stage for a great proposal, you need a recipe for success and some planning for the big day. Here are a few of the considerations you can make a list about, to tackle one by one.

1. Read The Signs

A perfect marriage proposal is the culmination of a great relationship, but you have to make sure your partner is also emotionally and mentally at the same stage you are. 

You need to take time to ascertain if they are ready to move to the next level and what their reciprocation says about them. 

There’s no harm in enlisting the help of friends to have a better take on the matter! Relay stories about married couples or newly married ones and gauge your partner’s reaction, and body language as those are just as important as words.

2. Ask The Parents

For most people, their parents’ approval and happiness are essential especially when they are taking a big step like contemplating marriage. 

Before planning your proposal, visit your parents and your partner’s parents and get their blessing. You can ask them to keep it a secret until you are ready to propose!

3. The Ring Says It All

As any married person will tell you, the ring is of paramount importance when asking someone to marry you. 

Unfortunately, many people start looking for the perfect engagement ring months in advance! Since the engagement ring is to be worn for the rest of your partner’s life, it is not a decision you can take lightly. Make a mood board to ascertain the kind of cut and style your partner prefers (their existing ring collection can be a good indicator).

You can also ask jewellers for advice about engagement ring styles that are classic, timeless, or likely to be fashionable for many years to come. 

An engagement ring can be as personalized as you like, but it should never be too dependent on a trend as it is meant to be worn for a lifetime and may also potentially become an heirloom. 

Another essential caveat is to get the ring size right and if there is no way to know for sure (as many people’s ring size can fluctuate slightly), always get a little bigger ring so that it can be resized later as per need.

4. Be One With Your Partner’s Heart

After all the time you’ve spent with the person you want to marry, you must have a vision in mind for their sense of style, interests, and what they love about life. For example, do they love travelling or great food or have other particular interests? 

Thinking from their point of view is a beautiful starting point when you’re planning the perfect marriage proposal. 

Ideas for you

The perfect marriage proposal combines wondrous elements that all appeal to your beloved’s interests and styles. 

It can be an intimidating prospect but remember you already possess all the knowledge you need if you know your partner well. 

As any new bride will tell you, it is more about the effort and thoughtfulness that has gone into planning the perfect marriage proposal.

5. An Ode To You

Everyone doesn’t love travelling, and many people adore the comforts of home. If you have a partner who is a total homebody and loves their space and solitude, you can pop the question in the space you share. 

Decorate the main living area or the bedroom with roses, pictures of the two of you, balloons, candles, lanterns, banners, or any décor element you prefer, and pop the big question. 

You can also use this opportunity to share a poem, song, or paragraph you have written about your partner and why you treasure them deeply. With at-home proposals, the more customized, the better!

Related: Best Romantic Valentine’s Day Proposal Ideas

6. A Day Out

Some of the most romantic proposals are often carried out in austere, scenic locations such as on a picnic or a hike. 

Perhaps they just happen as a surprise during a regular day out makes them even more special! Plan a special picnic with all your loved one’s favorite dishes, and even invite your friends to hide out at the location to take pictures and jump in to say congratulations!

7. Signage Works

All the great proposals in movies happen with a gigantic sign that says ‘will you marry me?’ If your partner loves chick flicks and popular romantic films, you can always use signage for popping the big question. 

It can even be at a family affair at a restaurant or event, although you’ll need to debrief everyone not to give any hints away beforehand. 

Nowadays, light-up or neon signs are particularly fashionable for marriage proposals and wedding events. As far as ideas go, you can’t go wrong with a customized sign.

8. Where We First Met

If you had a love at first sight moment with the person you want to marry, recreating it is powerful and rather unique when considering marriage proposal ideas. 

You can choose elements about that day, or if you think the day was far too unique to recreate effectively, you can plan the proposal to resemble your first date with your partner. 

Adding special personal touches like a written letter or speech explaining how you felt about your significant other at that time and still feel now in a more profound way can be a perfect starter.

9. Find the Best Places To Propose

You can’t beat a destination proposal in terms of marriage proposal ideas, and here are some spectacularly beautiful international locations to choose from.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

This castle has been the artistic inspiration behind many of Disney’s castles due to its expansiveness and luxury. It can be the site of your proposal if you are willing to play a real-life Prince Charming to your significant other. Then, follow up with a photoshoot you’ll treasure for decades to come.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia in Turkey is absolutely idyllic, with small cottages, lush countrysides, incredible rock formations, and wild plains as far as the eye can see. 

It is one of the best places to propose. You can even choose to stay in one of the specialty ‘cave’ hotels that can be found there. So opt for a hot balloon ride to say what is in your heart and be in the skies (literally) when you hear that ‘yes’!

Bora Bora

Everyone loves an island holiday because it is adventurous, romantic, and a larger-than-life experience. Bora Bora in French Polynesia is known for its breathtaking scenery, ample privacy, and heavenly amenities. 

You can stay in their overwater bungalows, swim, sail, and propose to the love of your life. It is one of the best places to propose and guarantees that, yes, you’ve been waiting for.

Rome, Italy

As the saying goes, ‘when in Rome!’ Rome is a magnificent historic city with plenty of domes, cathedrals, temples, and various heritage sites. 

If your partner is a history and culture enthusiast, they will cherish this trip forever. Consider proposing the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain or the Temple of Venus and Rome; you may not get complete privacy, but the backdrop is to die for, so make sure you take pictures. 

Rome is one of the best places to propose if you’re looking to invest in a destination proposal. 

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– VB Tip –

Weigh up what your partner likes best in order to figure out how to make him or her feel more comfortable. Consider whether to make a grand proposal with friends and family or a more romantic and intimate one with just the two of you.

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10. Consider the best proposal songs

A spectacular marriage proposal needs a formidable soundtrack, especially if you and your partner love music. 

Your partner’s favorite song or instrumental can be an ideal track to play as you propose, and for your long years ahead as a couple, it will always serve as a beautiful memory that the two of you can dance on.

Here are some of the best proposal songs to use for your marriage proposal:

‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran- 

With lyrics like ‘darling, you look perfect tonight,’ it makes for an epic proposal song. – Listen to it!

‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri

Undoubtedly a favorite among the best proposal songs, ‘I’ll love you for a thousand more’ are the best words you can say to the love of your life. – Here’s A Thousand Years song by Christina Perri.

‘Make You Feel My Love’ by Adele

Another modern classic, this song is all about making your significant other feel appreciated. – Listen to Make You Feel My Love’ by Adele

‘Just Say Yes’ by Snow Patrol

Just say nothing is holding you back; just say yes’ is a lovely soundtrack for one of the biggest questions you’ll ever ask and one of the best proposal songs.

‘All of me’ by John Legend

 ‘You’re my end and my beginning.’ This song is decidedly one of the best John Legend songs, and it is about wholly and unconditionally loving someone. 

Planning the perfect marriage proposal can be daunting and complicated, especially with thousands or millions of proposals’ inspirations floating around the internet. 

Although there’s a lot of pressure in deciding whether to plan a simple, expensive or somewhere in between proposal, hopefully, these tips and strategies will help you plan the most incredible marriage proposal for your partner. 

One last tip…to really make it an epic proposal, hire a professional events planner like VB-Events to help.

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