Best Proposal Ideas: Engagement Ring is all you need
By Devorah Isenberg 
, Friday, December 09, 2011 3:20 AM
In our modern era of viral video hits and reality TV moments, it’s no wonder that the proposal has been supersized. Instead of a simple and heartfelt declaration of love, modern grooms-to-be are devising intricate surprises designed for maximum “wow factor” and YouTube hits. But the truth is that the best proposals don’t happen in a helicopter hovering over the Grand Canyon or at halftime at the Super Bowl. A proposal is the moment that you go from being girlfriend and boyfriend to being an engaged couple—it’s all about you. If you are planning to propose to your girl soon, remember that all you really need is the engagement ring and yourself for the world’s best proposal. It might not make the headlines or the most-watched clip of the week, but it will make for a romantic story the two of you will tell over and over.
Instead of searching the Internet for proposal ideas, think about her. What does she like to do? What are some of your most treasured memories as a couple? What does she find romantic? Once you have a few unique moments or elements jotted down, do a little Internet research to come up with ways to weave together the proposal. Remember, the best proposals are the ones that are most personalized, not the most publicized.
Here are some basic proposal ideas that you can personalize by adding elements that will remind you of your life together:
- Create a “scavenger hunt” through your home with little cards that refer to special moments or memories. The last stop, of course, will be you, waiting with the engagement ring in hand.
- Incorporate her favorite treat into the proposal. For example, if she loves gourmet cupcakes, arrange with the shop to present her with a cupcake with “Will you marry me?” written on it.
- Recreate your first date, down to the last detail, before proposing in the exact spot that you shared your first kiss. There is nothing more romantic than showing her how much you remember every moment of your life together since the very beginning.
- Recreate the most romantic scene from her favorite romantic movie—whether that means showing up in front of her house with a boombox on your shoulder or kissing her in the rain a la The Notebook.
- When all is said and done, the most romantic proposal idea requires no fancy setting and no props save the engagement ring. Just tell her, from your heart, why you love her and want to marry her. You can do this at home, in a restaurant, or outside a gas station. It might not make a dramatic story but it will make for one special proposal.
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