Propose in Sydney at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, which frames the Opera House the way its own steps can’t. Or Bradleys Head, or the Bondi-to-Coogee clifftops.
Get Engaged
Everything you need to set the scene. Where to propose, the ring, who can help, and how to actually pull it off.
A great proposal isn't one decision. It's a series of them. Take them one at a time and it'll be less overwhelming.
Start with the place. Everything gets easier once you know where. From there you sort the ring, decide whether you want help pulling it off, and pick your moment.
Where to Propose
All location guidesThe place does more work than anything else. Somewhere that means something to the two of you beats somewhere that just photographs well. Start here.
Charles Bridge is yours alone at dawn, before the tour groups. Petrin Hill, Letna and Vysehrad round out Prague’s proposal spots. Each has its hour.
Climb the Round Tower on an evening it opens late, or take the golden spire at Vor Frelsers Kirke if she has a head for heights. Rosenborg’s gardens are calmer.
The Times Square proposal is the one you have to shout over. New York does it better at Bow Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park at golden hour, or the DUMBO arches.
A gondola under the Bridge of Sighs is the obvious Venice proposal. San Giorgio’s bell tower and the campi behind San Marco are quieter. Timing wins.
Proposal Advice
All adviceThe parts nobody warns you about. When to do it, what to say, and how to keep your nerve.
Before the ring, a few honest questions about money, timing, and whether you agree on the big things. Worth sitting with for an evening.
The unique part isn't a flash mob. It's the detail only you two would catch, the proposal built around your own story instead of a script.
Blanking on the words is the most common regret. What to say when you propose, how long to make it, and what to leave out.
Inspiring Engagement Stories
All storiesRead how other couples actually did it. Take what fits, skip what doesn't.
It was the Fourth of July weekend, exactly one year after Christy and I had first met.
I moved out to New York City for grad school in the summer of 2011. I grew up in Downey, CA my entire life and I needed a change of scenery.
It was Saturday, April 26, 2014. I knew that it was the big day! I started off that normal Saturday by taking Kate to one of her favorite restaurants in California: P.F.
The reason the proposal happened at NYCC wasn't for The NERDIST to tape it, it was for the extra tickets. NYCC sold out fast and I wanted her dad to be there to witness it.
Proposal Vendors
See all proposal vendorsIf you want a photographer hidden nearby to catch the moment itself, or a planner for something bigger, here are the proposal specialists worth knowing.
The questions you're already asking
How do I keep the proposal a surprise?
The more people who know, the more likely one of them slips. Tell almost no one, and handle the ring, the venue, and asking her dad while she's at work. Clear your search history, hide the paperwork, and act normal. Nothing tips her off faster than you suddenly behaving out of character.
Full guide: Keeping it a secret →What do I actually say?
Don't wing it, and don't over-script it. Beforehand, think through what she means to you, how she's changed you, and the future you want together. Keep it about the two of you, not a speech, and keep it short. The nerves will do the rest.
Full guide: What to say →Should I ask her dad first?
There's no universal answer, and anyone who says there is doesn't know her. It comes down to three people. Would she find it respectful or infuriating? Does her dad lean traditional? Are you asking out of real respect, or just going through the motions? If you do ask, make it a blessing, not permission.
Full guide: Asking her dad →