How to Propose to a Girl

A man kneels down to propose to a woman in front of flowers.

Image courtesy of Photography by Calin - www.bycalin.com

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How to propose to a girl with whom you want to spend the rest of your life? This article is the first in the series and the result of months of research and brings you the ULTIMATE collection of proposal ideas! Enjoy it!

1 Police Pull Over Proposal

Arrange with a police officer to pull you over when you leave your home with her. Place the ring in your glove compartment and when you are stopped by the police, you reach for the glove compartment and take the ring out.

Here is an example of a guy who staged his proposal with the help of his colleagues.


2 Forced Landing Proposal

If you can fly a private plane, pretend you have to do a forced landing and write the proposal among the landing instructions.


3 Post-It Notes

This works if you live in an urban area. Ask your friends to use post-it notes to create the message that tells her she is the one with whom you want to spend the rest of your life.


4 Fireworks

If you really want to impress your girl, go crazy and prepare electric candles (in case the wind blows) and a private fireworks show just for the two of you. Make sure you hire a videographer to immortalize this amazing moment. Here is a video to help you! Happy Proposal Planning!


5 Marry Me Cake

One of the most creative marriage proposal ideas was to have a baker make a delicious cake on which it was written “Will You Marry Me?” The couple went for a walk in the neighborhood and when they arrived in front of the bakery he got down on his knee and popped the question.

Also, you can ask the baker to place the ring on top of the cake and ask her to buy a cake.

Another version of this plan is to give your girlfriend a birthday cake on which you write the question. She will be totally surprised by this.


6 Proposal Over 365 Days

Start recording a clip on your girlfriend’s birthday telling her how beautiful she is, how much she means to you, and that you want to spend the rest of your days together. Do that every day until the next birthday when you show her the final clip and pop the big question in person.


7 Metal Detector

This is a super creative method to convince the girl of your dreams to say yes! Bury the ring in a secluded spot and take your girlfriend on a treasure hunt. Let her discover the “treasure” and live happily ever after!


8 Nesting Dolls / Matryoshka Dolls

Another interesting way to ask the extra special girl in your life to marry you is by inserting the engagement ring in the smallest matryoshka doll and wrapping the dolls for your girlfriend to discover. Make sure you have a bottle of champagne to celebrate the event.


9 Skywriting

If your soulmate likes drama, this is another great idea to propose to your girlfriend. Invite her to a walk in the park and at the right time, the airplanes will show her and the world you want to spend the rest of your life together.

Here is where you can find companies that offer skywriting services.


10 Skydiving

This one is very simple if you have the strength to propose at the end of a plane jump. The idea is that you need to jump first (talk with the instructors to make sure you are ready when she lands). Arrange to have a photographer take a few pictures and at the right time, pop the question.

Please note that this is a very emotional video.


11 Proposal at 10,000 ft

For those who love a good adrenaline rush, here is a fantastic plan. Propose during a skydiving jump. Make sure you film the proposal using a GoPro. I don’t know too many videographers who can film you at that altitude.


12 Roller-coaster

Take her to an amusement park and take a roller-coaster ride. When it is safe to do it, ask her to marry you! Make sure you don’t drop the ring.


13 Flying Banner

This is another spectacular way to tell the extra special girl in your life to marry you! Hire a company that offers aerial advertising services, get the engagement ring ready and as they say, the rest is history. If you are the super adventurous type, arrange the proposal in front of friends and family members.


14 Hot-Air Balloon

A hot-air balloon is a beautiful occasion to view the landscapes, enjoy an adrenaline rush and of course, pop the question. She will remember the moment for the rest of her life! Make sure you have a camera ready and arrange with the pilot to take some photos at the right time.


15 Helicopter Ride

A helicopter ride is a beautiful occasion to view the landscapes, enjoy an adrenaline rush and of course, pop the question. She will remember the moment for the rest of her life! Make sure you have a camera ready and arrange with the co-pilot to take a few photos of the historical moment.


16 Top of the World

Arrange a trip to one of the tallest buildings in the area and once you are in the perfect spot, ask her to grow old with you!


17 Street Caricature

This is a very romantic idea, and your girlfriend will never suspect it! Talk with a street caricaturist to draw the scene of you asking her hand in marriage. When you walk down the street and pass by the artist’s stand, just ask her casually to look at the drawing showing the proposal scene.


18 Magic Trick

For this idea to work, you will need to plan well in advance and use the help of a magician. Invite your girlfriend to a magic show. The magician will casually invite a volunteer (she will be the one) on stage to demonstrate a trick, and at the right time… the magic will happen!


19 Propose on the Radio

For this idea to work, you will need to plan well in advance and use the help of a magician. Invite your girlfriend to a magic show. The magician will casually invite a volunteer (she will be the one) on stage to demonstrate a trick, and at the right time… the magic will happen!


20 Your Favorite Park

Do you have a park you both love? If yes, this should be among your favorite spots to propose to your girlfriend. I would pick the spot where he first kissed, where he had the first date and so on. After all, you want to feel comfortable at the time when he pops the question.


21 Airplane

This idea is for the adventurous types and involves the collaboration of the flight attendants and the captain. During the flight, the captain will announce an extra special moment and that is your cue to get down on your knee and proposed to the love of your life.


22 Ring in an Ice Cube

This idea is perfect if you want to propose to your girlfriend at home. You might want to cook a perfect dinner or even better, hire a chef to do that for you. Freeze the ring and make sure she does not see it before. Buy a bottle of expensive champagne or white wine and during dinner, place the cube discretely into her glass (or ask the chef to do that for you).


23 Street Art Proposal

Hire an artist to draw a beautiful marry me scene and take your girl to the place. Make sure you have a wedding photographer or a friend capture the moment she says yes and the emotions that follow.


24 Serenade

This is probably one of our favorites when it comes to engagement proposals. Is a very romantic way to declare your passionate love and ask the woman of your life to spend the rest of your lives together. If you are gifted with the golden voice, she will be absolutely impressed.

Alternatively, you could hire an artist to help you.


25 Marry Me Bookmark

If your better half is a book aficionado, this could be the perfect proposal idea for you. Create a “marry me” bookmark in place and strategically in the book she loves to read before going to bed. When she notices the bookmark, take the ring out, get down on one knee and let her know she is the one.


26 Fortune Teller

Ask a fortuneteller to create a story about your girl marrying a handsome fellow in the near future. For this, your girl should have her eyes closed and at the perfect time, the fortuneteller will instruct her to open her eyes. She will see you down on one knee, offering her the splendid engagement ring.


27 Christmas Morning Proposal

This is self explanatory. Please watch the video below.


28 Glow in the Dark Proposal

Use glow in the dark paint to write the question on the dining room wall. Ideally, you hire an artist to prepare the scene. Use smart plug to schedule the “blackout” during dinner, and that will be the perfect time to propose.


29 Surprise Engagement Picnic

Ask her out and organize a surprise picnic in her favorite spot. Pop a bottle of champagne immediately after she says yes.


30 Snowman Proposing To a Snowwoman

If you live in a colder climate, this would be a very cute backyard proposal. Build a scene depicting a snowman proposing to a snowwoman. When she comes home, invited her out and kneel next to the snowman.


31 Snowman Proposal

Ask your girl to help you build a snowman and when you are done, pop the big question.


32 While Travelling

Coordinate this with the hotel staff and you will have a perfect proposal opportunity in your hands. Ask them to prepare a surprise romantic candlelight dinner on the beach and propose! Alternatively, have a Marry Me Sign on the beach.


33 Business Trip

If the woman of your dreams travel a lot for business, find out her itinerary and arrange an impromptu visit. This is the best done if you have an accomplice (maybe a colleague of her can arrange a business meeting or a dinner in a particular restaurant).

If you prefer the business meeting, be there before the “meeting” starts and write on the whiteboard the question. When she enters the room, you will be ready.If you like the restaurant idea, ask her colleague to go to the washroom and text you so you can take her place and propose.


34 Restaurant (Big Budget)

If you have a bit of money, this idea is for you! Invite your girlfriend to the restaurant. Book the whole restaurant and a flash mob who will sing a song, followed by your proposal.


35 Restaurant (Low Budget)

You don’t need to break the bank to propose in a restaurant. Talk with the general manager in advance. When you arrive, they will tell you that your table is not ready and instead they will ask you to have a drink in a private room. Decorate the room with pictures of the two of you and your wedding photographer will be ready to capture the moment she says yes.

If they don't have private rooms and you are comfortable, propose in front of everybody!


36 Commercial Break Proposal

Generally, women love romantic movies and here’s your opportunity: find a classical movie (Casablanca comes to mind) and record it. During the movie, insert a clip where you ask her to be your wife forever! Yes, this might take a bit of technical skills, but she will be super impressed, I can guarantee you that.


37 Choir Proposal

If you have a good voice, you might want to use Christmas to pop the question. Ask the choir to help you propose, invite her to a Christmas carols concert and at the right time, the children will invite both of you on the stage where you propose. They could also sing a proposal song.

Here are our favorite proposal songs:

  • Perfect–Ed Sheeran
  • Marry You–Bruno Mars–this video clip captures a live proposal.
  • All of Me–John Legend
  • Make You Feel My Love–Adele
  • Let’s Stay Together–Al Green
  • Better Together–Jack Johnson
  • Marry Me–Train

38 DJ Proposal

Invite your girl to a club, and during the night, ask the DJ to announce your proposal. For this idea to work, you want to make sure you feel comfortable proposing in front of hundreds of people and also, that she says yes.


39 Acro Yoga

If you and your girlfriend are into Acro Yoga, here is an amazing idea on how to pop the question.


40 Romantic Destination Vacation Proposal

If you are planning a trip together, use the opportunity to propose to her. Tour Eiffel, gondola ride in Venice, bicycling in Provence or Tuscany are only a few ideas.


41 Advertisement

If your girl commutes to work, buy a huge advertising sign outdoor in which you pop the question. Offer to drive her to work and place the ring in the glove compartment. Stop by the sign and ask the question. Do not use her name and you can share the cost with several other guys looking for a creative way to propose.Alternatively, buy a full page in her favorite magazine and show it to her on the weekend.


42 Sunset

Sunsets are splendid and give you great opportunities to propose. Pick a spot where you can see the city skyline or the perfect landscape and be yourself. Create a bit of ambiance using Christmas lights, candles, playing music, etc.


43 Sand Written Message

This one is self explanatory and you can make it more interesting if you take your girlfriend on a cruise and you stop on a deserted island where your friends already wrote “Marry Me!” in the sand. Add a table, two chairs and lunch the crew will provide and you have a perfect proposal.


44 Pop the Question on Stage During a Concert

Invite her to a concert and ask the band if they could dedicate a romantic song to your girl. Pretend you don’t know anything about that and at the end, go on stage and ask her to marry you.


45 Vineyard Tours are Perfect

Take your girl to a vineyard tour and after enjoying a glass of wine, go to a private place and pop the question. You can hire a photographer or videographer to help you pull this off and immortalize the moment.


46 Message in a Bottle

Again, you need a friend to help you with this. Take a walk along a beach on which a few minutes before a friend planted the bottle and ask the friend to watch the bottle (so nobody takes it) and to take lots of photos using a long lens.

Even better, hire a pro wedding photographer to do that.That bottle contains a handwritten message to her. Use aged paper to make it look authentic. Open the bottle and tell her to read the letter. In the letter, explain why you want to spend the rest of your life together.


47 Snowboarding/Skiing Proposal

If you both like snowboarding or skiing, start descending the slope, ask her to stop and pretend you have to arrange your boot. When you are on your knee, offer her the ring.


48 Clever Raven Proposal

What do you get when you combine a man that proposes to his girlfriend during a live performance with a trained raven? An uproar of applause from the audience, of course.


49 Scavanger Hunt

One of the most difficult things about proposing to your significant other can be coming up with a unique way to do it. You could set up a scavenger hunt, and when the love of your life finds the final clue, you can kneel down on one knee and proposed with all of your heart.


50 Website

If you are technically inclined, this idea could be perfect for you. Build a webpage where you ask the question and set your girlfriend’s browser landing page onto that website. The page will start a slideshow with images of the two of you, and the last slide will feature the question: Would you be my wife from now and forever?


51 Zipline Proposal

Zipline proposal: Ziplining is a great way to propose because it's thrilling and fun for your partner. You can either plan the proposal by yourself or work with the company to set it up. If you're nervous about how your partner will react, have your friends around to support you.


52 Hiking

Go for a hiking trip with your girl and when you reach the summit, set a camera to film the moment and tell her how much I love her and that you want to spend the rest of your lives together.


53 Propose Under Chinese Lanterns

Chinese lanterns are very romantic and create the perfect atmosphere for your proposal. For this, you need a quiet day as the wind will ruin the plan. Ask your girlfriend to help you launch a few Chinese lanterns and when you are done, propose to her.

Wedding photography captures a magical moment as the bride and groom share a tender kiss beneath a luminous full moon.

54 Swimming With the Sharks

If you really want to impress your girlfriend, take her swimming with the sharks and propose to her.


55 Airport Proposal

When you are on your way out of the country, you can propose to your girlfriend at the airport. This might not be for everyone, but it can make a great story for years to come.


56 Book Club Proposal

If you are both members of a book club, ask someone to read a "book" about your love story and propose.


57 Graduation

During the graduation ceremony, ask the love of your life to spend the rest of your lives together.


58 Movie Night

Prepare a clip about your love story, and book a private screening room to propose. After she says yes, your friends and family can join you for celebrations.


59 Surprise

Hire a band, prepare your speech, and get down on one knee! The rest will be history.


60 Homecoming Proposal

Tell your girlfriend you are out of the country and surprise her! For this, you will need her family to collaborate.


61 Marry Me Puzzle

If you want to propose at home, Buy a “Marry Me Puzzle” and solve it together. If you want, invite some friends to a puzzle solving contest. When you are done, read her a love letter and ask the question.


62 Photo Shoot

Hire a pro wedding photographer. Share the plan with the photographer and during the photo shoot propose to her. The beauty about the plan is that after she says yes, you can also do your engagement proposal and you will have plenty of photos to show to the world.


63 Memory Lane Gallery

Prepare a room that features photos together and give her a tour. Make sure you have a friend film the moment.


64 Wedding Bouquet Toss Proposal

At one of your friends' wedding ask the bride to gift the bouquet to your girlfriend and then propose.


65 Wakeboarding Proposal

Invite your girlfriend to wakeboard with you and propose to her.


66 Ice Scratched Proposal on Her Car Windshield

For couples who live in a colder climate, this will work like a charm! During a cold night, get out of your house and scratch the question on her windshield.


67 Slip the Ring in Her Favorite Chocolate Box

Does your girl love chocolate? Who doesn’t? Then it is easy! Rig a chocolate box and place the ring inside it. Offer her the box on Valentine’s Day or at Christmas and be there when she opens the box. I am sure you know what to do next.


68 Screensaver Proposal

Set the computer screensaver to say “Marry Me” and have the ring ready.


69 Holiday Lights Say Marry Me

For this plan to work, you need a wing man. Create a display made of fairy lights (Christmas lights) and take your girl out to a romantic dinner. She might be disappointed you did not pop the question during dinner but will be impressed when you open the door and she sees the Christmas lights arranged in such manner to say “Love You! Marry Me!”


70 Twinkle Lights in the Wood

Prepare a gorgeous scene abundant in twinkle lights in a beautiful forest.


71 Screensaver

Set the computer screensaver to say “Marry Me” and have the ring ready.


72 Will You Marry Me Party

Throw a party with a few friends and family members and, at a predetermined time, ask her hand in marriage. Before you do that, talk with your girlfriend’s parents to make sure you have their full support. Also, they can help you pull this off and warn you if the idea is not a good one.


73 Surprise Engagement Party

Hire an artist to draw a beautiful marry me scene and take your girl to the place. Make sure you have a wedding photographer or a friend capture the moment she says yes and the emotions that follow.


74 Lost Hotel Reservation

Book a hotel, work with them to "lose" your reservation and hire an a Capella choir to create a romantic atmosphere. Read her a love letter and then propose.


75 Jack O Lantern

If your girlfriend loves fall and Halloween, carve a four pumpkins to say “Be Mine 4 Ever” or go with the classic question, like the guy in the video below.


76 Pumpkin Carving

Hide the ring and a letter in a pumpkin and ask your girlfriend to carve it. When she reaches the ring, ask her to marry you.


77 Fake Audition

If your girlfriend is a dancer or actor, use the video below as inspiration.


78 Jewelry Armoire Proposal

Buy your girl a jewelry armoire for your girlfriend. If you can, build or order a custom one for her. Fill every drawer with a small gift. In the bottom drawer, place the ring box and a great proposal line.

To make this more interesting, invite your family for the unveiling of the armoire. After you propose, celebrate the engagement with a party.


79 Fake Proposal Becomes Real

When your girlfriend walks in the park a couple (actors but she does not know that) ask her to film them. The guy proposes and suddenly, a flash mob appears and they sing a proposal song. At the end, you show up and propose for real.


80 Wall Message

Back in the day, the bride and groom each other and the altar as marriages were business arrangements between families. However, nowadays it is very common for couples to live together for a while before getting married.

This idea works perfectly if you just bought a place in the plan to renovate it. Write a beautiful message on the wall ending with the famous question. If you don’t think you can do a good job, spend a few hundred bucks and hired an art student to do that for you.

Prepare a candlelight dinner and, at the right time, turn on the lights so she can see the message on the wall.


81 Puppy Proposal

If you are not good with words, let the puppy do the deed. Ask your girl to go with you puppy shopping and then propose! You could also buy a puppy and tie the ring box to his collar.


82 Meditation Tapes Proposal

If your fiancée to be practices meditation or yoga using ambient relaxation tapes, record your proposal on them and be there when she practices.If she goes to a studio, you might want to approach the staff so you can propose at the end of a class.


83 Will You Marry Me Mug

One of the most creative ideas is that of serving coffee or tea to your girlfriend in a mug that changes colors depending on temperature. I am sure you get the idea. Here is where you can find those mugs (I have no affiliation to any of the vendors)

Alternatively, you can get a mug that has the message written on the bottom of the cup, so when she finishes her coffee she will see the question.


84 Scrabble Proposal

This is a very popular way of popping the questions for couples who love the game . Here is a little inspiration if you decide to go for it!


85 Game Prize Proposal

Participate in a trivia contest where unknown to her, she will win a wedding ring.


86 Dog Carries the Mary Me Name Tag

Create a custom marry me name tag/collar.


87 Storybook Proposal

Write a storybook and print it at one of your favorite photo labs. Ask her to read the story and when she is done, ask her hand in marriage. This is especially cute if your girlfriend is a teacher and you can convince the principal of the school and colleagues to help.


88 Ring in a Baseball

Rig a baseball to fit a ring box, take your girl to a game, and propose.


89 During a Basketball Game

Ask your girlfriend to be your wife in front of all the basketball fans like the couple below.


90 Marry Me Doormat

Buy a “Marry Me” doormat and take her to a romantic dinner. Ask your friends to place the doormat at the door before you return so you can propose.


91 T-Shirt

This idea is a classic one. If you have a child together, dress him or her in a Marry Me T-Shirt.

If you don't have a child, wear several T-Shirts telling the story of your love and the reasons why you are perfect for each other.


92 Lego

Use Lego people to create a proposal scene. If you are interested in creating a professional trailer, please contact Morgspenny Productions


93 Propose At a Botanical Garden, Zoo or Aquarium

If the girl of your dreams loves a particular botanical garden, zoo or aquarium, go there. Arrange a visit on a day with low traffic or see if you can “win” a tour when the establishment is close for the public.


94 Snow Written Message

Go to a scenic place and ask your friends to write a proposal message on the snow. When you reach the place, show her the message and the ring.


95 Photo Album Proposal

Create a photo album with images of the two of you. Invite her to dinner and give her the gift. This is best done on her birthday, on Valentine’s Day or at Christmas time. Make sure the last photo shows the ring box.


96 Bandage Proposal

Place the ring inside your closed fist and ask a friend to wrap your hand in a bandage. Tell your girl you had a small accident and ask her to remove the bandage for you. Once you open the fist, she will know.


97 Collector / Antique Shop Proposal

Take your girl to a collector of antiques or to a shop. Ask them to show you several objects and the last one would be her engagement ring. Get down on one knee and propose.


98 Personalized Bottle of Champagne

Prepare a customize label and affix it to a bottle of champagne or wine. Prepare a special dinner and before you pop the champagne, pop the question.


99 Disneyland

Disneyland is a place where dreams come true. Ask your princess to marry you using a Disney movies compilation!


100 Fortune Cookie

Insert the ring in the fortune cookie using a paper towel and microwaving the cookie as you can see in this video.Make sure YOUR girlfriend gets the right cookie or you can end up in a hilarious situation like Hugh Grant.


101 Hitchhikers' Proposal

Hire an a Capella group to be your hitchhikers. Drive on a road with your girl and give the band a ride. Stop to “get something to eat” and at the right time, the band will start singing a proposal song.


102 Light Painting Proposal

This is a very complicated proposal, and you will need a photographer or videographer who understand light painting. When it comes to light painting, the sky is the limit and you can create amazing imagery. Once you finish shooting the photos or video, present it to your girl and the rest is history.


103 Art Gallery

Hire an artist to paint you proposing to the love of your life. Talk with the art gallery so they can tell you how you can pull it off. You will need a secluded area where you can ask the question and film the proposal.

Take your girl to the gallery. When you reach the spot… well, you know the rest.


104 Golf Game

Take your future fiancee to a golf game and retrieve the ring box from the whole.

Another way of proposing on a golf course is to write the question on a golf ball. At the right time, switch the balls.


105 During a Cruise

A great idea is to book a cruise and to arrange an original proposal with the help of the cruise staff. You could, for example, have a sunrise proposal on the deck of the ship when very few people are around or during one of the events.


106 Friends Carrying Banners

Order a “Will You Marry Me!” banner and ask a couple of friends to help you out. When you are having a romantic picnic, are on the beach or in another romantic setting, ask your friends to come and show the banner.


107 Cupcakes

Buy a box of her favorite cupcakes and ask the baker to decorate them with the famous words.


108 Cinderella Moment

Place the ring in the shoes she wants to buy – pretend you are getting her a pair of shoes, when she decides on the size, slip the ring in the box.


109 Flip Cup Game

Write on the cup “Marry Me” and ask her to join you on a flip the cup game.


110 Underwater Proposal

If you both like scuba diving, ask another diver to place the engagement ring in the box that you and the love of your life will “discover.”


111 Fishing Proposal

If your girlfriend likes fishing, we have a great idea for you. Hire a scuba diver to place the ring box on the hook.


112 Creative Proposal on the Beach

Everybody likes a long walk on the beach at sunset. Ask a few surfers to write “Will You Marry Me” on their boards and to come out of the water or walk towards you at the right time.


113 Northern Lights

The northern lights are the perfect opportunity for you to express your love and desire to spend the rest of your life with your soulmate. Book a Northern lights tour and ask the staff to prepare the most romantic setting possible with candle lights, a bottle of her favorite drink and of course hot chocolate.

When the staff wakes you up to see the northern lights, she will be impressed with your love (and the careful preparations) and say a definitive YES!


114 Helium Balloons

If you are the more introvert type and like to propose at home, you could create an arrangement of helium balloons spelling “Marry me!”


115 Paragliding

This is an excellent proposal idea for the adrenaline loving couples. Ask your future fiancée to join you in a para-gliding adventure. At the landing spot, place a banner with the words “Will you marry me?”


116 Fake Newspaper/Magazine

Ask a printing house to prepare a fake magazine (ideally the one she loves) and place it on the coffee table. In the morning, prepare her the best coffee you ever made and give her the magazine to read.


117 Ice Skating

If your girlfriend loves skating, it is a great idea to take her out and ask her hand in marriage.


118 Couples Spa

Book a day to a couple spa and at the end of the session, ask the staff to slip you the ring and you can propose.


119 Snorkeling

Propose while you are snorkeling (please use a replica ring in case you lose it).


120 Photo Booth Proposal

Take her to a romantic restaurant and on your way home, stop and take some pics in a photo booth. When the time is right, propose!


121 Crosswords Puzzle

Talk with a printer to prepare a crossword puzzle where you will masterfully insert the magical question.

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