Living together before you get married is very common these days, and many couples have spent a lot of time and effort on their homes, decorating them and accessorizing them to make them true reflections of their personalities. It makes sense then that proposing at home, a place that is private, intimate, and where you're surrounded by personal memories, is just as popular as proposing in a public place. Proposing at home can be very romantic as long as you put some thought into making it special.
You probably know your girlfriend well enough to know whether she'd prefer a lavish public proposal or a quiet intimate occasion at home, so don't be pressured into arranging something extravagant if you believe she'd rather you popped the question in the privacy of your own home.
Ideas for proposing at home
A home based proposal is a very personal occasion so the way you choose to do it will be equally personal. You can choose to do something cute that just fits in with your everyday routine, or you can arrange for her to come home and find you on one knee surrounded by roses and holding a sparkling diamond. Here are just a few ideas for proposing at home.
- Spell out the words 'Marry Me?' in fridge magnets or in chocolate letters on top of her favorite dessert.
- Write a love note asking her to marry you and slip it into the book she's reading.
- Pretend the two of you are going out for the evening and while she's getting ready upstairs turn the downstairs into a romantic grotto with hearts, candles and flowers.
- Place the ring in her jewelry box with the jewelry she wears every day and wait for a reaction.
- Slip the ring onto her finger while she's sleeping and wake her up with breakfast in bed.
- Create a word game or puzzle where the answer is 'Marry Me'
- Get home early and create a trail of petals and candles to where you are waiting with the ring.
Top tips for proposing at home
Proposing at home might sound like a wonderful idea, but it does take a little thought and preparation if you want it to be an occasion to remember. These four tips will help to make your proposal a success:
- Clean and tidy the house! This might sound obvious but the romance of the proposal will be spoilt slightly if last night's dishes are waiting to be washed, the floor needs vacuuming, and the laundry is hanging out to dry. Clean and tidy up, change the bedding and generally make the house a lovely place for the two of you to relax. Candles and rose petals are a nice touch to create a romantic atmosphere.
- Get some supplies in. Champagne is a must for any proposal so make sure you have a bottle chilling in the fridge along with some elegant champagne flutes. Whether you make a full romantic dinner, or just get some tasty nibbles followed by a sweet treat, your new fiancée will appreciate the effort.
- Set the scene before she arrives. Let any family members or housemates know to stay away, and put your phone on silent. The proposal itself is over in a minute. The evening you've built around it is what she'll actually remember.
- Make sure there's something for you to do after the actual proposal. Some couples might want to head straight for the bedroom, while others will get on the phone and start spreading the good news, but make sure you have alternative ideas such as watching a romantic movie she's been hoping to see, or getting out the old photos of the two of you to reminisce over. You could also combine a proposal at home with going out for dinner afterwards.
If you're starting to think a home proposal isn't quite the moment you imagined, our city proposal guides are worth a look.
