Marriage Proposal

5 Creative Ways to Propose Marriage

2007-01-28T07:53:00.002-08:00

You have made the decision to ask your girlfriend to be your wife. You bought a ring and are ready to take the plunge. But now you are wondering how should you do it?

When you plan your proposal, take your bride-to-be's personality as well as your own into consideration before you decide on anything. If your girlfriend is a quiet person, don't plan a location that is public and noisy. There are many different ways to ask the woman you love to marry you. What you need to do is find the way that is right for the both of you. Here are some suggestions for memorable marriage proposals.

A Picnic Lunch
Buy a picnic hamper and pack a romantic lunch. Fruit, cheese, bread and wine all help to enhance the romantic feel of this marriage proposal. Finish your lunch with chocolate covered strawberries, with the engagement ring and proposal being the final course.

A Mystery Trail
Leave a path for your sweetheart to follow. Chose something romantic, like rose petals or candles. Leave a trail from the front door throughout the house. At different places leave flowers, chocolates, and champagne for your sweetie to find. At the end of the trail is where you will be, ring in hand.

A Puzzling Time
If your sweetie is a jigsaw puzzle lover, buy a blank jigsaw puzzle and write will you marry me on it. Cook her dinner, or order a meal from your favorite restaurant. After the dessert, give her the puzzle in a beautifully wrapped box and be prepared kneel and pop the question when she finishes it.

Restaurant Proposals
Take your sweetie to the restaurant you had your first date. If you call ahead most restaurants are more than happy to help you plan your proposal and might even be willing to write your question on a plate, or include it in the dessert menu.

A Christmas Proposal
At Christmas time wrap the engagement ring in a small box. Then place it in a larger box and wrap that as well. Keep doing this until the present is large enough to fool your sweetie. Do not put this gift under the tree, but instead hide somewhere in the house. After you two finish unwrapping your presents go and get this one. As she unwraps the gift you should be prepared to kneel down and ask her to marry you.

You want to make your first proposal special. Finding a creative way to ask the one you love to spend her life with you will make it be a moment to remember and tell your grandchildren about.

Dawn Arkin is a writer who loves to plan and attend weddings. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com which is a site for Wedding Invitations.

Marriage Proposal Tips

2007-01-28T07:53:00.001-08:00

Preparing for major life changes

It's true: If you get engaged, your life will never be the same. Knowing the changes you'll be making, and knowing you're ready and willing to handle them, is crucial to knowing the time is right to propose. First comes the stress of planning a wedding -- a major, though temporary, change all its own.

"Wait a minute," you say. "Isn't planning a wedding the girl's job?"

Um, no. We'll pretend you didn't say that.

Make no mistake, though: Planning a wedding will take a lot out of you, no matter your level of involvement. For instance, you're going to need to book a band or a DJ. Easy enough, right? How could it be any more difficult than buying a boom box? Well, don't forget about finding a catering hall, or possibly a caterer, as well as a florist, a photographer, and so on. Oh, and you'll have to make a guest list. And it won't be easy. And you'll get into fights over it. And a few months later, you'll get into more. All for a four or five hour event!

Which isn't to say that you won't have fun. You will. And, ultimately, this stress will be worth it. But rest assured, there will be stress. Soon you'll find your to-do list has the regenerative powers of a worm or a starfish. Just when you think you're done… ha! You wish! So it helps to know this ahead of time. Why? Because what if you literally can't handle this stuff right now? Like, what if you just can't figure it into your schedule? Perhaps you're a student. Or maybe you're working two jobs. You may be able to plan a wedding around your other obligations, but, then, you may not. Can you handle this sort of commitment? Do you have time for it? And, furthermore, do you think your girlfriend has time for it, too? Or look at it this way: Some weddings are more elaborate than others. Your girlfriend's probably been dreaming about hers her entire life. Will you guys have the spare time you need to plan a wedding that lives up to her dreams as well as your own expectations?

This brings us to our second major change.

You and your girlfriend are probably pretty close. You may even live together. But marriage is a whole other ballgame when it comes to thinking for two -- because, legally, you're kinda, sorta one. Maybe the best way to look at it is to think of marriage like double vision. From now on, you'll be seeing two of everything. Two plates on the table. Two embroidered robes for Christmas. And, of course, two wonderful, loving families to visit when Christmastime comes. (About the only thing that won't be doubled is enough time to visit both.)

Planning a wedding is a major commitment. It goes without saying that marriage, itself, is a major commitment, too -- that's the whole point. So when you choose to propose, you're choosing to make some major life changes. And they're nice changes, really. But it's still good to know what you're in for.

Here's a litmus test: Can you see yourself calling your girlfriend your "fiancé" for the next six, twelve, or however many months it takes to plan your wedding? Or can you at least see yourself admitting you goofed up every time she complains that you called her your "girlfriend"… yet again? This is the sort of thing you'll want to know you can handle. It's a small change, you know, but you do want to call her your "wife."

Ready to say "I do"?

Maybe this all sounds daunting. In the end, though, only one person will know if you know your girlfriend well enough to get married. Only one person will know if you know she's "The One." And only one person will know if the time is right for you to make the major life changes that marriage calls for. That one person is someone you know quite well. It's you.

Dana Dana@compucall.co.il Compucall-Web Marketing

For more marriage proposal tips visit our site: http://www.best-marriage-proposals.com

Marriage Proposals - Get Everyone Involved

2007-01-28T07:52:00.003-08:00

Sometimes the best things in life everyone knows about except you. The best surprise you can give someone is when everyone they know - family, friends, co-workers - all know about it first! The unsuspecting person is not only surprised by your gift, but also taken back at the fact she had no idea and everyone else did.

When planning how to propose to your girlfriend you might want to think about taking things to a grand scale. The office is usually the least expected place for you to propose to her, so it is time to get to work on her co-workers.

Find out when she takes lunch, or when she will not be in the office. Make sure to get there not too long after she leaves so you can maximize the amount of time inside. Before you go in you should have a reasonably good idea on what you want to do for the marriage proposal. This way as soon as you round up her co-workers you can begin the planning.

Now everyone is going to want to chime in with their ideas. Do not be so quick to ignore them. Remember, they work there everyday, so they might have a better idea to fit certain situations or circumstances. You will also have to keep the general wedding chatter to a minimum. If some people there did not know that the two of you had talked about marriage then you are bound to get bombarded with questions about it all. You do not have much time to talk, so keep it to the basics and stay focused on the plan.

Since you are going to be showing up to her workplace to propose, you will most likely need some time to get inside and set anything up if needed. This means you need an inside accomplis to help you out. Get a close friend or co-worker to take your girlfriend out to lunch or keep her in a certain location of the building for that time period. Things have to be on a tight schedule so make sure they are aware of that. If you agree to have her out of the office at 2pm and back at 3pm, then stick to these times carefully. Otherwise you risk being seen or worse, not being able to do the marriage proposal.

If any outside items or people need to be there, be sure to clear it with your girlfriend's boss first. For instance, if you are going to jump out of a cake (for the record, I do not recommend doing this) then make sure the boss is ok with a huge cake coming into the building. Also make sure security knows about this. The last thing you want is to be stopped at the door and frisked because you are rolling in a huge cake through the front doors.

There are many other things you can do in order to lead up to the momeny, but that is for another discussion. These tips will take care of the basics and absolute necessities that you need in place in order to pull off a marriage proposal at her workplace. Lastly, make sure you tell everyone that this is to remain a secret! Let them know that she has no idea you are going to propose so they do not ruin the surprise.

For more marriage proposals, ideas, stories, and tips on the big day, visit the author's website (http://www.myproposalideas.com).

Got Cold Feet When It Comes to Creative Marriage Proposal Ideas?

2007-01-28T07:52:00.001-08:00

Aaagghh, trying to develop brilliant marriage proposal ideas, is enough to drive you crazy. Not only that, but after all that planning, you still are on edge waiting to see if she'll say "Yes!" And to top it all off, after all is said and done, not only will everyone be looking at her engagement ring but they'll also be asking...... "so, how did he pop the question?"

Joel asked me to marry him on Valentine's Day. I had no idea that he was going to propose so it was a total surprise. However, he called my parents several weeks before to ask for their permission for my hand in marriage. He then swore them to total secrecy. He also called his parents several days prior to proprosing to me, to alert them as to what was going down. He cooked me a 7 course meal at his apartment. Then we watched an episode of "24," his favorite tv show. Hence, it had the feel of a very typical evening. After "24" ended, he presented me with my Valentine's day gift......which surprised me. He "re-gifted" a stuffed animal that I had given him during our first Valentine's Day together. The stuffed animal was a running joke in our relationship...as he admitted to me years after-the-fact that that was probably the worst gift I had ever gotten him and that most grown men do not wish to receive fluffy green frogs as gifts. Anyway, he delighted in my puzzled expression for awhile as I simultanelously pretended to appreciate the regifted frog. A number of minutes passed and then he said matter of factly that he actually had one more gift for me. He took my hand and led me into the his bedroom. He had candles lit throughout the room and rose petals sprinkled across the bed In the center of the bed, was a small box. He led me over to the box, got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. He opened the box and then forgetting tradition and overwhelmed with excitement, I took the ring out myself and put it on my finger. I than began kissing him. He stopped me because I never answered his question. After I responded with an emphatic "Yes!" the rest is history......

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Have no fear. Here are some marriage proposal ideas which you are free to take full credit for and present as your own:

- Marriage proposal ideas: #1 Do it outside...the proposal that is.. pack a 5 star, upscale picnic with champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other such gourmet luxuaries. If you have one, go to one of your favorite natural spots for the picnic. Present her with a list of 100: unique things that you have done together, inside jokes, favorite moments, etc. After she has eaten the delicious meal and read the list, she will be like putty in your hand..... Pull out the ring and ask her if she will be yours forevor

- Marriage proposal ideas: #2 Do something special to a momento that you have from one of your dates. i.e. Frame a movie ticket stub from the first movie you went to together. Go back to the place where you had your first date. Reminisce about all the good times you've had together since you've started dating. Present her with the momento and talk about how you've had so many adventures together and how you never want that to end. After she's squealed over the momento and how thoughtful you are, pull out the ring and pop the question. This will be a night that she will remember forever and you will look like one, romantic stud.

- Marriage proposal ideas: #3 Have a t-shirt printed up that says "The next Mrs. _______ (insert your last name)." Cook a romantic dinner at home for her. When the timing is right after dinner, tell her you bought something for her. Present the t-shirt (which should be elegantly wrapped up in a gift-box). As her eyes are bulging over as she reads the tshirt, pull out the ring and ask away.

- Marriage proposal ideas: #4 Take her to your childhood neighborhood. Show her some of the special spots that you loved growing up. At the last spot, get down on one knee and propose. Have a fabulous evening planned following the proposal

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

The Best Creative Ways to Propose

2007-01-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

Marriage proposals made over a romantic dinner at an elegant restaurant can be very romantic but they are not necessarily creative. Many women dream about the day that the man of their dreams proposes to them and hope that the day will be absolutely perfect in every way imaginable. In a recent study the majority of married women reported that they believe that their spouse spent a significant amount of money on their wedding proposal but that the lack of originality in the proposal had left the women feeling disappointed.

One creative way to propose for a couple involved in a long distance relationship is to plan a surprise visit and set up a scavenger hunt. You could have a friend pick you up from the airport so that your girlfriend doesn’t know that you are coming to visit and have the friend give your girlfriend instructions for the scavenger hunt. You could hide a number of small surprises such as candy, flowers and a CD as the first few stops on the scavenger hunt and then hide at the final location poised to propose when your girlfriend completes the game.

An outdoor enthusiast might appreciate a creative proposal during a camping trip. It’s a good idea to plan a quiet trip for just you and your girlfriend at a picturesque location. You could hide the ring in your sleeping bag to use in a surprise proposal. When it’s time to go to sleep after a long day of hiking and fishing, you could complain that there must be a rock or something underneath you and then pull out the ring and make your proposal. This creative proposal also contains the element of surprise as a camping trip is not a usual proposal location.

Another creative proposal idea is to place an ad in a local newspaper. You could place an outrageous ad in a newspaper asking anyone who was willing to get married to give you a call and include a fictitious phone number. Then when you and your girlfriend are reading the paper together, you could point out the ad as a joke and while she is reading the ad, seize the opportunity to pull out the engagement ring and let her know that you would love to marry her.

Proposing at a sporting event is a creative way to propose to a sports fan. For this proposal idea you could either arrange to have your proposal broadcast over the public address system or displayed on the large screen. If you are really adventurous, you could also contact the team’s public relations department and try to make arrangements to make your proposal on the field at halftime. They might be willing to help you stage a scenario where you are either chosen to win a prize or participate in a contest and while you are on the field, they would hand over the microphone to allow you to make your proposal.

Another creative marriage proposal idea is to purchase a book of poems and leave the first few pages intact and carve a heart into the remaining pages and sew the engagement ring to the back of the book. You could suggest taking turns reading the poems on each page and plan to have your girlfriend turn the final complete page to reveal the heart and ring that were hidden inside. This proposal idea is not only creative but also incredibly romantic.

Having the DJ of your girlfriend’s favorite radio program ask her if she will marry you is another creative proposal idea. You will want to make sure that you are aware of the exact time that the DJ will be sending your message so that you are able to ensure that you and your girlfriend are listening together when he makes the announcement. You could also arrange to have the DJ play a song that has a special meaning for you as a couple so that you can enjoy a dance together after she accepts your creative proposal.

Another creative way to propose is to include all of your family and friends in the event by inviting them all to a surprise party for your girlfriend. To make this proposal work, you would either convince your girlfriend that you want to have a quiet dinner at home or at a restaurant with just the two of you. Once you arrive at the destination all of the guests will reveal themselves and while all eyes are on the two of you, you could take the opportunity to profess your love and propose.

Still another creative way to propose is to hide the ring in an unexpected location. For example you could pretend to have a clogged sink and while you are working to fix the clog, you could reach into the sink and pull out the engagement ring. When your girlfriend is nearby, you could seize the opportunity to pull out the ring you had hidden earlier and say something to the effect of, “No wonder the sink is clogged, I’ll have to find another place to store this ring, how about your finger?” This whimsical proposal is both light-hearted and creative.

A variation on the traditional proposal at an elegant restaurant could be to have the waiter bring out the ring with the bill. You could have a little good natured fun with your girlfriend by going out of your way to drop hints that you would be proposing over dinner. If you keep up the act, she will be expecting your proposal with each course. After dessert you could tell her that you have something very important to ask and as she eagerly awaits your proposal, you could ask an inconsequential question about something completely irrelevant to your relationship. She will probably be furious at this point but her anger won’t last as the waiter arrives with the bill and the engagement ring and you let her know how much she means to you.

Finally a creative proposal idea is for the woman to ask the man to marry her, instead of waiting for him to propose. Many women anxiously await the day that the man in their life will propose but why not add your own creative twist by proposing to him instead. The woman is free to propose in any way that she finds truly romantic and can ensure that the proposal is both creative and romantic and that it’s a moment that they both will remember for the rest of their lives.

A great marriage proposal doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Many women are more likely to cherish the memories of a proposal that was inexpensive but truly creative. The creativity is what makes the proposal so memorable and what makes it a great story to tell their friends.

Masni Rizal Mansor is the publisher for My Wedding Dresses. Get the best discount wedding dresses and cheap wedding invitation card

Marriage Proposal Ideas for the Holidays

2006-12-10T06:52:00.000-08:00

One of the benefits of proposing marriage at this time of year is that family activities are inevitable. Proposing a day before a family gathering means you can share the exciting news with them in person the next day. Or you can take her parents aside to ask their permission in person and propose to her later.

Here are some ideas for how to integrate your marriage proposal into a holiday moment.

Christmas Proposal Ideas:

o Decorate the tree with lights and only one ornament – a ribbon or bow tied around a ring box.

o Write out your proposal in Christmas lights on your house.

o Write “Will you marry me?” with a Sharpie on the inside bottom of a box, fill it with balled-up tissue paper and then wrap is as a gift. She will dig through the tissue paper looking for the gift only to reveal your message.

o Make an advent calendar where each door she opens reveals a sentimental memory or reason you love her.

o On Christmas Eve, arrive at her house and when she answers the door, present the diamond engagement ring.

Chanukah Proposal Ideas:

o Give her 8 nights of romantic gifts with an engagement ring as the last night's gift.

o If she's a chocolate lover, give her a box of Kosher Godiva Truffles.

o If you feel like getting creative, you could dip real roses in chocolate and present her with your designed bouquet.

o Write out your proposal with rose petals in the snow.

o Purchase a “talking” or voice recording picture frame from RadioShack. Insert a picture of you and your sweetie and record your proposal for her to play back.

New Year's Eve Proposal Ideas:

o If you're at a party, work your proposal into the crowd's big countdown to the New Year.

o At the stroke of midnight, tell her how much you love her and simply whisper, "Will you marry me?" Then you can celebrate the rest of the night by sharing the news with all of your friends.

o If parties and crowds aren't your thing, you can plan the ultimate at-home proposal for midnight. Perhaps start the evening with a home-cooked meal by candlelight. Plan to watch a romantic movie, or even the New Year's Eve countdown on television. When the ball drops in Times Square, hug her and propose.

o Even better...leave the television off, and ask her to slow dance to a favorite song. At the stroke of midnight or when the moment is right, look in her eyes, and ask.

Select the proposal method that will have you the most relaxed before you ask. And don’t worry – no matter what way you choose to propose, it will be a special moment.

About The Author

Jill Renee is the president of Danforth Diamond, an online jewelry store specializing in high quality engagement rings and jewelry - on the Web at http://www.danforthdiamond.com/.

How To Do The Best Marriage Proposals

2006-12-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

Perhaps one of the most momentous occasions in a woman's life is when the man she loves proposes to her. Though not everyone would admit it, most every woman has spent some time daydreaming about just how that moment would be like. All aspects of the occasion would be gone through over and over again in her mind. Yet not that much attention is given to what goes on in the man's mind before and during the proposal. Little is known about what the guy goes through when he makes that decision to ask the woman he loves to share the rest of their lives together. If we give in to stereotype, the typical male is not expressive and is not comfortable showing and saying exactly how he feels. On the other hand, women are supposed to be expecting the most expressive and affectionate proposal.

If you are a man who finds himself in a quandary as to how to make the ultimate marriage proposal to the woman of your life, then fret no more. At The Best Marriage Proposals, you will find all the help that you need to make that night - or day, for that matter - the perfect time that you are both looking for.

At The Best Marriage Proposals, their main goal is to help people with proposals and engagement ideas. In their website, you can find some examples of the best (and tested) marriage proposals. More than that, if you have your own tried and tested ideas, you can also find joy in helping other people by sharing them. With more than 20,000 members to date, you will surely find whatever you are looking for at The Best Marriage Proposals website. More so, you will be able to reach a wide range of people if you choose to share your own experiences.

Not all the information contained within their website is focused on the actual proposal itself. You can also find articles about related topics. For women who are becoming frustrated because their men won't propose, there are resources for you. For those men who, unfortunately, got rejected, there are also materials that will help you get through this difficult moment.

You can also find resources on how to find the perfect engagement ring to give to your fiancée-to-be. The diamond is the traditional gem presented on this happy event. At The Best Marriage Proposals, you can find a lot of information that will help you pick out the right gem for her. Though the site's banner seems to focus on the proposal and engagement, by no means is the information contained in the site limited in this way. In fact, you can find some ideas on how to go about with your wedding vows.

There is no need to fumble your way about your proposal and engagement. There is help right at your fingertips. Visit Best Marriage and come up with the perfect proposal for the love of your life.

About The Author
John Caldwell has built the most comprehensive online resource on for marriage proposals out there! To get more information on the “dos” and “don’ts” when thinking of the perfect proposal, please visit: http://www.best-marriage-proposals.com

Will Sex Get Him to Commit?

2006-12-07T05:39:00.000-08:00

You may imagine that agreeing to have sex before you have a monogamous commitment from a man could lead to the commitment you seek. Wrong. If he gets to have sex with you before commitment, you lose some of your power to get him to commit. After all, why should he commit further if he’s already having sex with you? Yes, you may answer, but with sexual intimacy he’ll fall for me even more. Wrong again. With sexual intimacy before commitment, all you know is that his cock is in love with your vagina. You are beautiful, feminine, and have a gorgeous, fully shaved vagina. Of course, he’s in love with your sexual organs! What man wouldn’t be? But you want his love for you to come before his love for your sexual organs. My husband loves me (and tells me) and loves my sexual organs and tells me. But he had to like and love and commit to me first, before he got to experience mine, which he instantly loved, too.

By the way, “instant commitments” don’t count. If you’ve teased him to the point of nakedness or of being only an undergarment away from nakedness, and then ask him, “You do love me, don’t you?” do not be fooled by the answer “Of course I do.” That is his manhood talking. At this point his brain has been kidnapped by his throbbing manhood. All his brain blood now resides in his swollen one, and his is totally in charge of what his mouth says. “Of course I love you” means “Of course I love your sexual organs.” If you let a Good Man have sex with you before commitment, you risk losing that Good Man because you were too easy; you weren’t selective or demanding enough.

Be patient. Get the commitment first. You need to have sex only with a committed Good Man.

It may take you several weeks or several months of dating a man to determine whether you want to have sex with him. This is not an unreasonable time frame for such an important decision. Again, it is totally appropriate to share your thoughts with a man regarding your qualifications of a Good Man and your fundamental needs. Also discuss how he sees your relationship, both now and in the future. If you decide that sex with this man is appropriate for you, then mutually commit to monogamy and go for it. If he is unwilling to commit to monogamy, do not agree to have sex with him.

About The Author

Py Kim Conant, the author of Sex Secrets of an American Geisha: How to Attract, Satisfy, and Keep Your Man, Hunter House Publishers. Looking for relationship, dating and sex tips? Visit Py’s website at http://www.AmericanGeishaHouse.com.

Top 20 Ideas For Marriage Proposal

2006-12-04T21:05:00.000-08:00

1. Rent a horse and carriage and take her for a romantic ride. Propose the old fashioned way on bended knee before getting into the carriage and riding away together. One of our clients did this in Richmond Park in London.

2. Cook and set an elaborate candlelight table (or get a professional caterer to deliver) for a quiet romantic dinner for two at home. Serve her a glass of champagne with the diamond ring in the bottom or ribboned to the stem.

3. Arrange a romantic weekend away. After a perfect day of relaxing and pampering for her - surprise her with the ring and proposal.

4. Create a treasure hunt for her on her birthday or other special occasion so that she is not necessarily expecting a proposal. Create clues that lead her to uncover one-by-one treasured memories of photos or past presents from your time together so far. The last clue should lead her to the ring box and a simple "Will you marry me" note.

5. Take her for a romantic picnic or boat ride outdoors and have a plane sky-write your proposal. Be ready to present the ring when she sees your proposal.

6. Hire a magician to entertain just the two of you. Have the magician make the box with the engagement ring mysteriously appear as the surprise ending of the last trick.

7. Take her back to the first restaurant where you dined and surprise her with the ring. You can arrange for the waiter to present it to her with the dessert.

8. Decorate a Christmas tree with lights and only one ornament -- a ribbon or bow tied around the ring box. Ask her over for a Christmas celebration for just the two of you.

9. For a very traditional approach, ask her father for her hand in marriage. When the approval is given, make plans for the next family gathering and make your proposal to her in private with diamond in hand. When she says yes, stand up and announce your engagement to everyone.

10. Prime a friend with harmless little secrets about the two of you, and have him pose as a psychic when you dial. Be sure to ask the right personal questions to make it look authentic. Have the psychic predict a diamond in her very near future. Then make your proposal on the spot.

11. If she likes sports, then take her to a local or professional sporting event and arrange to have your message displayed on the scoreboard after halftime..."Naomi...Will you marry me?" Have the diamond ready to present when she sees it.

12. Arrange to have dinner together at your favorite Chinese restaurant. Have the waiter give her a special fortune cookie with "Will you marry me?" in it. Or you could have it say, "You will receive a diamond in the very near future." And present the diamond in a box.

13. During dinner at your favorite restaurant, arrange with the waiter to have the diamond in a box as one of the choices on the dessert tray. Tell her she is the sweetest thing you know and you can't resist her any longer.

14. Rent a limousine for the evening and be inside when they pick her up at home or work. Take her to an elegant restaurant for a romantic candlelight dinner for two, then present her the diamond on the way home in the limousine.

15. For the chocoholic: Chocolate-dip the diamond box, and put it in the centre of a big box of chocolates when you are alone for the evening. She will always wonder what's in the largest piece of chocolate that she has seen. Pick it up for her and open it with a flair.

16. Invite her for some games at home. Use Scrabble letters and spell out "Will you marry me?" Have the diamond close by.

17. Plan a romantic train journey (the Orient Express does day trips) and propose en route as you pass some beautiful scenery.

18. Take her for a surprise picnic at the beach or in the woods. At the picnic spot, spell out "Marry Me" with stones, flowers or seashells. Put the diamond in her hand when she says yes.

19. Take her to the highest local peak, get down on one knee and make the highest commitment possible with the highest quality diamond you can afford.

20. Write her a song or poem especially for the occasion and sing/say it aloud or arrange for a professional singer/band.