TOP FIVE PROPOSAL IDEAS

How nailing the proposal might just help seal the deal

Proposal season – aka the period between Bonfire Night and Valentine’s Day – is upon us, and with it comes the nerve-wracking planning around popping the question. Stumped on how to do it? A lot of people are. Put your own spin on one of these five creative (non-cheesy) proposal ideas. Whether you want to do it in a simple but unique way or you're ready to organise a super surprise with drum rolls, there's something for everyone. Plus, to help you seal the deal, we’ve gone the extra mile and suggested an engagement ring style for every type of proposal. Well, what are bridal besties for?

Our top five proposal ideas

Over the past (nearly) two years the world proposed on TikTok, announced engagements on Instagram, and got married on Zoom. Technology brought us together, and the pandemic has forever changed the rules that have been notoriously tradition-bound.

From nailing the perfect ringfie to telling your family via Facebook, it’s safe to say, the digital age has changed engagement etiquette forever. But when it comes to seeking out the very best proposal ideas, even the most Gen Z of couples are captivated by the tradition of proposing.

For the generation who came up with prom-posals, scroll down for ideas that are all about flexing your creativity, flamboyant extravagance, and often, much more OTT than just getting down on one knee.

Outdoor proposal ideas

The list for outdoor proposal ideas is limitless. Choose your favourite outdoor spot at sunrise or sunset – where you met, where had your first date, where you first said ILY. A wooded wonderland, a lavender field, a pumpkin patch, would all make for the perfect alfresco proposal setting.

For anyone in London, there’s landmarks galore to choose as your backdrop. Begin your happily-ever-after with panoramic views at The London Eye, Tower Bridge or the Shard. Or, if your idea of the great outdoors is more countryside than cityscape, London is also ridiculously green – so much so that it falls under the UN’s definition of a forest. Yep, you read that right, a forest. From Richmond and Regent’s to Hyde and Holland, there’s no excuse not to get down on one knee amongst the birds and the bees in London’s parks. And for those with a flair for the dramatic you could create a seriously epic scavenger hunt. A trail of roses on a beach? Clues across town? A woodland trail? Not forgetting the pièce de resistance – a lavish proposal demands a look-at-me halo engagement ring. Scroll for the goods.

Home proposal ideas

Home is where the heart is, right? A simple home proposal can often be the most meaningful. And your wife, husband, or partner-to-be? Well, they’re the low-key type that doesn’t vibe with a grand public display of affection or attention. But just because they don’t want a Kimye-esque ‘Please Marry Me’ sign flashed across a baseball stadium jumbotron; doesn’t mean they don’t want something special. This is a milestone moment, after all. You want it to be memorable. With that in mind, here are our suggestions to help you get your homemade proposal right. (Spoiler alert: start ordering candles.)

• Make the home proposal-worthy – yes, that includes doing the laundry.
• Build up the suspense – a pathway of candles will add some proposal pizazz.
• Pop, fizz, clink – transform one room or space with a beautiful backdrop: flowers, more candles and a bottle (or two) of champagne should do it.
• Cook – the evening doesn’t have to end once that stunning solitaire is on their finger. If Harry can propose to Meghan over a roast chicken, then you can do it over their favourite food, too.
• And remember, just because the proposal is low-key – it doesn’t mean the engagement ring has to be. Scroll for standout solitaires that are anything but simple.