It’s one of the most important questions you’ll ever ask – will you marry me? If you’re planning a summer proposal, you have probably put plenty of thought into how you’re going to do it. You want it to be a memorable moment for you both as a couple, after all.
By popping the big question, you’re following a very ancient tradition. Getting down on bended knee can be traced back to Medieval times. Though chivalrous knights genuflected in front of noblewomen to ask for their hand in marriage, most people didn’t propose on bended knee. It wasn’t until modern times that getting down on one knee became widely popular, no doubt helped by romantic movie scenes. The use of a ring during a proposal dates back even further, at least to ancient Rome. In many cultures, the engagement ring is placed on the ring finger of the left hand, where the ancients believed a vein ran to the heart.
Summer is the perfect time to propose to your partner. With the warmer weather and gorgeous light evenings, the summer opens up many opportunities to pop the question in a special outdoor setting. If you want to plan a creative summer proposal and make a memory that will last a lifetime, read through our summer engagement proposal ideas. From the quirky to the romantic, we’ve got all bases covered. You’ll find summer proposal ideas that are as unique as your loved one.
In the early stages of your proposal planning, why not take inspiration from the ring you’ve chosen for your future husband or bride? When selecting jewellery for someone we love, we generally pick a piece that reflects their personality. Whether you choose it because it suits their taste and aesthetic or because it reminds you of them – you’ve made a choice that embodies them.
Once you’ve chosen their engagement ring, look at the design, stones and metal colours. How could you echo these in your proposal? Will the ring look especially gorgeous at sunrise or sunset? Would its style suit the magical setting of a secluded wood or a striking, exhilarating mountaintop? Is it simple or eclectic, fitting for an oceanside or wild-flower meadow proposal? Or is it an elegant or extravagant ring that should make its grand entrance at a luxury hotel or on the grounds of a stately home?
If you’re struggling to interpret the style of the ring, seek guidance from friends and family. Bringing in helpers for your proposal is always a good idea, whether for creative input or help on the day, capturing the special moment on camera. If you’re someone who might be prone to going a bit OTT with your proposal plans, discuss them with someone who knows your partner well. They’ll soon let you know if you’re on the right track.
In the summer, when the sun beams, water makes the most idyllic backdrop for a proposal. You’ll know whether your partner is most relaxed by the ocean, a lake, river or babbling stream. Although it’s nice to propose at a favourite waterside location, why not do something extra special and seek out a beautiful spot your partner has never been to? Being somewhere new can amp up the element of surprise.
Try to create a few minutes of silence by the water before you ultimately pop the question. It will ensure both of you are relaxed and fully immersed in the romantic setting. Remember to take pictures of their engagement ring in front of the water, catching the sparkles from both.
Though not the best plan for a partner who whinges about blisters and aching legs on hikes, a long walk that culminates in a proposal is a fitting choice for the couple who loves to be active together.
Choose the first walk you did together, one your partner loves, or research a hike with a stunning viewpoint that you can stop at to propose. You need to consider your partner’s comfort, so bring plenty of supplies to ensure they’re not grumpily thirsty and hungry by the time you pop the question!
For a photo that will blow your partner away, why not ask a friend, family member or photographer to take a picture of the proposal from a distance, silhouetting the pair of you against the sky. You can present this photo to your partner, framed, in the days or weeks following the proposal or on the eve of your wedding.
Sure to win the heart of a partner who loves the boho aesthetic, organise a twinkling campsite. Summer is the ideal time to pull off this sweet night under the stars, with less chance of a soggy campsite.
String lanterns and bunting from the trees, dot about candles in jars and set a small, crackling fire for toasting marshmallows as the sun sets.
Choose whether to propose as the sun sets, under the stars or as the sun comes up. Preparation is essential here; it can take a lot of time and effort to achieve this fairy tale aesthetic. You’ll almost certainly want to bring in reinforcements for the camp set-up. Find a friend who “gets” the look you’re aiming to achieve, and they can create it for you while you get ready to arrive with your partner.
There’s no denying that when they see this endearingly cute campsite, your partner may well know what’s going to happen. But the anticipation will be part of the fun for them, and knowing what’s coming will make them soak up the atmosphere all the more.
Whether you’re a pro in the kitchen or willing to put in the hard work to impress the one you love, rustle up a sumptuous summertime picnic to share with your partner somewhere secluded as the prelude to your proposal. Don’t forget all the essential romantic ingredients for your picnic – their favourite foods, chilled bubbly (don’t forget the glasses), a picnic blanket, candles, and petals for strewing. Make their favourite dessert and present the ring with it at the end of the meal.
Want to add something a little more imaginative? Choose your picnic spot and close by, write your marriage proposal using the natural resources at your disposal – use flowers or pebbles on the grass or sketch the words into the sand. Take a stroll after your picnic and let them come across your special message.
If friends and family are very important to you as a couple, the summer is the time to throw an outdoor proposal party. Cater with a BBQ or with tables laden with all your favourite al fresco party foods. Organise music, including a live act if your budget stretches to it, and make sure you sneak in plenty of your sentimental couple songs throughout the evening.
All your guests could be in on your proposal plans, allowing you to pull off an extra special popping of the question. Let your imagination run wild – fun ways your guests can participate include:
With all that balmy sunshine, blue skies and soft summer pastel sunsets, why not suggest to your partner that you take part in a couple’s photoshoot. Little will they know that your chosen photographer will edit a marriage proposal into the background of one of your images.
When your partner comes to look through the final images from the shoot, they’ll be surprised to find the added extra. Make sure you choose a good photo for your photographer to edit – you don’t want your partner to be unhappy with how they look in the image! A silhouette-style picture works well for those partners who dislike their appearance in photos.
Why not show them the images over a romantic al fresco summer meal?
Are you and your partner city-folk through and through? Whether it’s the city you live in, the one where you met, or a city you’ve both been longing to visit, you can plan a stunning urban summer proposal with a cityscape backdrop.
Enjoy a trip to the theatre earlier in the evening or simply enjoy wandering through the city. Book a later slot at a restaurant, watch the sun go down behind the city skyline, or organise a romantic rooftop evening meal together. With delicious food, candles and a ring just waiting to be pulled out, you’ll create a summer evening proposal that suits your partner perfectly.
One for big gestures? Don’t forget to shout out your declaration of love for your partner to the city below from your rooftop position.
We’ve all looked up into the sky on a softly lit summer evening and spotted a hot air balloon gently passing by. If your partner has ever expressed an interest in a balloon ride, booking one for your marriage proposal is the ultimate romantic gesture.
You could pop the question in the air, organise for a message to be left in a field or garden that you’ll pass over, or get down on one knee once you’ve landed. There’s something particularly magical about this type of proposal, and floating above the area where you live with your partner makes for a very nostalgic experience.
The ring is such a vital part of the proposal process. However you choose to ask the all-important question, take every step to protect this asset whose sentimental worth is just as crucial as its monetary value. If you’re carrying out your summer proposal in the great outdoors, transporting the ring to a camping spot, up a hillside or to a tranquil watery haven, make sure you take care of it!
One important way to protect your partner’s engagement ring is to take out jewellery insurance as soon as you purchase it. An insurance policy gives you peace of mind to protect this most precious piece of jewellery against loss, theft or accidental damage. Whether it’s being hidden from your partner in the build-up to the big event or placed on their finger after that welcome “yes”, a comprehensive insurance policy ensures the ring is safe, whatever happens.
TH March are specialist jewellery insurers, established over 130 years ago. With all this experience insuring jewellery, who could be better placed to keep your engagement ring safe and secure? We know how important your jewellery is to you, from precious items like an engagement ring to inherited pieces and cherished gifts.
If you’re ready to protect your engagement ring, contact our specialist insurance experts at TH March. Find out how we respond to claims and make sure your jewellery is repaired or replaced respectfully, mindful of the sentimental value. From individual items to whole collections, TH March can tailor a bespoke policy that will make wearing your jewellery a joy.