Romantic Ways to Propose
Set Up Afternoon Tea
A traditional afternoon tea spread includes scones, sandwiches, cakes and patisserie, but if there was ever a time to customize, it’s now. If you’re a dab hand in the kitchen a homemade afternoon tea will have major wow-factor, but there’s also nothing wrong with ordering in, especially if you get the food from their go-to bakery — whatever you decide, just be sure to have the drinks chilling in the fridge.
This is a proposal that can feel super relaxed or incredibly elegant, so it’s down to you to set the mood — whether you go for cozy indoor picnic vibes or an intimate sit-down, candlelit affair, you know what’s right for you as a couple.
Think about how you’ll actually ask the question. Will you ice it on the cake? Will you get an engraved spoon or a stencil for their drink? Or will you just ask with a glass of bubbles in hand?
Lay Out a Candlelit Dinner
Speaking of candles, a candlelit dinner is a classic for a reason — it doesn’t get much more romantic. Recreate a restaurant meal you both loved, cook the signature dish you know they can’t resist or even order your ultimate weekend treat takeout.
To amp up the atmosphere, adjust the lighting, sprinkle petals everywhere, make a playlist, and get the drinks flowing. It’s up to you which course you choose to actually ask, but fun ideas include icing your question onto dessert, or balancing the ring (carefully!) on top of one of the dishes. Just make sure it’s visible enough not to be accidentally eaten (trust us, it’s happened).
Invite the Whole Family to Dinner
If you often host meals for your respective families and everyone gets along, this could be the ultimate place to propose at home. Some like to tell their loved ones ahead of time so they can have their cameras at the ready, while others prefer to spring the surprise on the entire group, not just their other half.
Either way, popping the question at a family dinner or gathering is a wonderful way to make everyone feel included, and initiating it can be as simple as standing up to make a toast. The reactions of your guests will make it even more emotional. Just make sure you know this would be something your partner would like!
If you’re considering this option during Coronavirus lockdown, how about getting everyone sharing a meal over Zoom? You can record your call so you have the proposal moment preserved forever.
Organize a Scavenger Hunt
No matter how big or small your house or flat is, you can pull off this proposal — all you need is time to plan and a little imagination. Starting at the front door when your partner arrives home, set up a series of clues that mean something to the two of you (from ‘where I first told you I loved you’ to ‘the place where you sort your socks’), leading to them eventually finding either you down on one knee, or offering up a gorgeous ring. Set up a camera on a tripod facing your final spot so you can record the experience and watch it back together once everything has sunk in.
Play a Game
We still love a good Scrabble proposal, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using board games to ask someone to marry you. Classics that require you to decipher a phrase or message (think Charades or Pictionary) are perfect for a built-in ‘will you marry me’ moment, but you can also get custom board games that require your partner to get to the very end and uncover your plan as they play. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even consider drawing up with your own.
