Puppies, Puppies, Puppies

We love doggies. A few months ago I fell in love with a King Charles puppy at a local pet store. James spent weeks thinking about stringing my engagement ring around the puppy's collar. He wanted to surprise me with the puppy and what a surprise it would have been to pick it up and notice the ring! I would have died. James ultimately decided that another dog would have been a huge commitment and something he and I had to discuss at length. We want to get another pup in the future, maybe in a few months he will surprise me with one ;)

** readers beware: you better be damn sure your intended fiance wants a pet.

We Love Wine

James admits that if he had given more time to our proposal, he would have proposed using a customized bottle of wine. As you know, he proposed in upstate NY and while planning the weekendfound this great winery not too far from where we were staying. They can customize the labels on bottles of wine to say anything you might want. They can even include a picture of the two of you!! Readers beware: they have limited off-season hours and can take weeks to create that special something for your special someone.

Snowy proposals

Take advantage of Mother Nature by using a spray can or bottle to pop the question on the front lawn or drive way or at a local park.

You can either buy some eco-friendly spray paint or you can do what my mom used to do when I was younger. Take an old spray bottle (think Windex or hair spray) and fill it with water and food coloring. Then spray "Will you marry me?"in the snow.

I could see this working a few ways.

#1: Set it up in a local park and take them for a walk (having a dog is a great excuse)

#2: Wake up early before they leave for work and set it up. Be standing in the door way so you can be there when s/he sees it!

#3: Come home early from work, set it up, and then have them pull into the drive way. You can be standing in the drive way or door (with the advent of cell phones it is very easy to give them a call to see when they will be coming home. This idea would be totally perfect if your intended is getting off early from work because of a snow day... because then you can spend the rest of the day together. Snow is very romantic.

I recommend having something lovely set-up inside as well. You could have wine and dinner waiting in the kitchen. You could have hot chocolate and dessert in the living room. You could have flowers and candles prepared in the bedroom.

Cheap and super easy =)

At the Airport (not the airplane)

I travel frequently, but rarely with my significant other. He does however pick me up at the gate fairly often. I am usually emotional after a long flight and time away from the comforts of him and our hound, Vanessa.

Cost: about $2 and the cost of the ring.

Time needed: 10 minutes? (trip to CVS and writing "Will you marry me?" on the poster.

I imagine you are planning on picking up your significant other from the airport anyway so bring the poster and make sure to get to the gate a little early. You need to get there before they do. When they see the sign get down on one knee if you chose. If they are not expecting you to pick them up, the surprise factor mixed with the proposal will be an awesome story and totally memorable.

Cookies =)

You can get some cookies from a local bakery made up to say "Marry me" A yummy treat and oh so lovely =)

Totally easy because you can give it at anytime, with very little planning. Put the ring in the box with the treats or present it as they open the box.

roses... not cliche

Roses... for most women totally romantic. Why not use rose petals (or her favorite flowers) to pop the question. You can set it up in her room or yours or at a hotel. Let the hotel know that you are doing this and they might help by offering champagne and candles. Have a trail of petals from the elevator to the hotel room or her front door to her room. Easy, lovely, and cheap.

By the light of candles....

Romantic, easy, and memorable.

Spell out "Will you marry me?" in candles... turn off all the lights and what a surprise they will find when they walk in the door. It might be after a late night at the office or a night out on the town. Words to the wise, never leave candles lit unattended.

Candles are cheap, I found these at Target.com

Handy with a computer?

This is another proposal at a restaurant- but it is super creative.

Time needed: you need to talk to the folks at the location (30 minutes?) and re-type the menu (30 minutes) and pick out the ring (varies)

Cost: Dinner and the ring =)

Select a restaurant that is either romantic or has significance in your life/relationship. (think: where you met, first date, favorite joint) Head down to the place and talk to the management. You need to have their support for this proposal. You need a copy of the menu so that you can retype it. When retyping it include an entre that says "__________, Will you marry me?" Drop the recreated menus at the eatery before your big moment. It would be awesome if they have their menus typed on paper and the inserted into those plastic covers (do you know what I mean?). If not, they may not even notice that she is getting a piece of paper instead of a plastic coated menu.

So ideally I envision someone looking at the menu, reading the "entre" and psedu- freaking out while mister/misses smooth gets down on one knee or takes out the ring.

I give this proposal a 5 out of 5 on the shock value and would totally flip if I was proposed to this way.

Updated Version of the Ring in a Champagne Glass

Out to eat? When dessert comes make sure the chief knows you want this

Getting Engaged Over Dinner? Proposing Using Dinnerware

For anyone who loves food =)

Use this kit to make a dinner plate that says "Will you marry me?" Watch their eyes light up as the phrase becomes visible.

How to: Either get a dinner plate engraved from here or here. Directions on how to etch your own dinnerware (I would not say this is easy though)

Paloma's Nest, Handcrafted Modern Heirlooms

I really love this woman's work... pick any item and get "will you marry me" printed on it.

They will love that they have something they will always have. I love the thought of giving it to siblings or children so they can propose to the love of their lives.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18892706

Giving Her Jewelry Before Giving Her the Ring

Throw her off by giving her a necklace or bracelet.

Price: 0-100 (You have to chose another piece of jewelry to give her: I recommend this site)

How to: Purchase the ring and the other piece of jewelry, get it engraved to say "Will you marry me?" "Will you be my wife?" "Will you spend the rest of your life with me?" I love this piece, its inexpensive and cute. Keep in mind that this may take a few days or even weeks to be completed. You could also go to the mall and have it done at a kiosk. Give her the piece for a holiday or no reason at all... ask her to read it while you get down on one knee to propose (if you want to!)

How do they do that?

I recently heard a story about a woman who's bf put the ring on her finger while she was sleeping... I think that is an awesome way to propose (probably because I am a morning person and some of my favorite moments include laying in my cozy bed) but, how do they do it?

Please comment if you have proposed or if you were proposed to this way.

For those who enjoy a good glass of wine

We drink a good amount of red wine in our house... just ask James.

Why not present the ring tied around the stem of a glass of wine?

Prep Time Needed: An hour tops not including purchasing a ring

Cost: Cheap. The only expenses (other than the ring) would be purchasing wine, wine glasses, and dinner if they are needed

Here's How:

Idea #1:

Obviously you need to purchase a ring. You also need to have some wine glasses. For me and James we have about 20 so I would never notice if one was missing but if you only have two or four glasses I would suggest getting an extra one.

Purchase or acquire some ribbon or twine. You could get it at a CVS, a dollar store, or a craft store. You may have something suitable laying around the house. (think of the ribbons that towels, gifts, and some gourmet foods are wrapped in)

String the ring through the ribbon and then tie the ribbon around the extra wine glass and hide it somewhere. You can have the wine glass sitting on the table when they walk in the room.

Have her or him over for dinner. You can ask if they would like some wine pour it with your back facing them and when you return around they will notice the ring. I love this thought because it is casual and sexy. This, however, is coming from someone who adores wine. If you ask her or him for a glass and they decline you will have to wait or come up with something on the spot (which might not be so bad)

Idea #2:
Instead of leaving the glass on the table or handing them the glass, you could set it up and then place the glass in the cabinet. Bring home a bottle of wine from work and simply say, "hey baby can you get us a few glasses of wine" Be standing in the kitchen or dinning room door as she turns around

Idea #3:
Give this idea to a restaurant and see if they will do it for you.

A Simple Moment on the Beach

When I think of the beach I imagine sepia-toned photos or black and white images of people with tans and hair blowing in the wind. These kinds of pictures make everyone look gorgeous. Isn't that what you want your significant other to think of when they thinks of your proposal? Plus it makes it easy to decide on a theme for your engagement photos.

Who? The couple who lives near the shore, loves the beach, or will be on vacation near the beach.

When? I do not recommend a winter beach proposal as the wind can be unbearable.

Price: 0-50 (If you live near the shore and visit in the evening it could be free but you may have to pay for parking, beach badges, and maybe a stop on the board walk for ice cream if you chose to have wine or a basket of goodies that could cost you)

How: Take her to the beach: for a walk, to collect sea shells, to see the sunset. You can either have a friend set up a blanket with wine (or bring with you) if you want to set a "mood". Or you can forgo the extras and slide down on one knee with a sunset in the background. Either way you are a winner.

If you choose to have a friend set stuff up for you, I would select someone reliable and maybe ask them to stick around and get some shots of you to!