You only get one shot at a proposal (well, normally!). So it needs to be right. At the top of a mountain at sunset? On a sun-kissed Caribbean beach? Or in an exclusive restaurant? All of those may make the moment special, but if you want something a little more personal and affordable, a simple proposal at home can be just as good.
There’s the obvious, of course – the romantic, candle-lit dinner for two and the engagement ring dropped into a glass of champagne. But what other ways are there to tell that special someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with them?
Here are some simple proposal ideas that are wonderfully romantic, budget-friendly, and create that special memory that’ll last a lifetime.
Let’s start with the one that everyone knows – the engagement meal. A meal of their favourite dishes, a bottle of wine, and a delicious dessert all lead up to that moment when you pop the question. Be careful of the old ‘hiding the ring in the food’ trick, though. If things go wrong, a perfect proposal can turn into an ‘Oops!’ moment when the engagement ring gets swallowed!
While you might plan the menu carefully, don’t get too hung up about planning the proposal itself. You’ll know the right moment to ask, perhaps when you’re reminiscing about your first meeting or remembering one of those funny or memorable moments you share. And just for tonight, forget about the washing up. It can wait until tomorrow!
The doorbell rings, your partner goes to answer, and spelt out in cute paper lanterns or a big bunch of balloons are those magic words “Will You Marry Me?” Your partner turns, and you’re there on one knee, the ring held up. How romantic is that? If you have a video doorbell, make sure the surprise isn’t ruined by turning the camera off for a few minutes. This is a great way to let the whole neighbourhood know too, so don’t be surprised if your proposal at home triggers an impromptu party.
It’s always a wonderful treat, a lazy Sunday, breakfast in bed, and the chance to chill out and relax for a few hours. Why not seize the opportunity to add a little surprise with the croissants and coffee? A charming way of popping the question is to make your partner a delicious cappuccino, complete with a stencilled message in chocolate powder on the top. Again, avoid hiding the ring in the porridge, as nobody wants a sticky, gooey engagement ring!
A proposal at home doesn’t just have to be restricted to you and your partner. It’s a celebration, so why not encourage the whole family to get involved? Think up an excuse for a family barbeque or get-together where everyone’s in on the surprise except your partner. A word of advice, though – you might want to be reasonably sure that they’re going to say ‘yes’ first to avoid any embarrassing moments in front of the whole family.
Start with a cryptic clue, and lead your partner on a merry chase around the house and garden (or even further afield), leaving little clues at key points. Put together a scavenger puzzle that gives little hints about what’s at the end of the chase. If they haven’t guessed it by the end of the hunt, that’s your cue to pop the question. A scavenger hunt is one of those simple proposal ideas that allows you to get creative and have fun together.
If you and your partner love gardening, this is a wonderful way to propose. Imagine digging in the garden, finding a treasure box (which you had previously hidden strategically), and opening it to find an engagement ring and a charming ‘Will You Marry Me?’ message? Or why not hide the ring in a packet of seeds? As the flowers grow, so does your relationship together. With every year that your flowers bloom, you’re reminded of that special moment. Forget-me-nots are the quintessential flower that represents eternal love. Or why not tie the ring to a rose bush using a ribbon?
A relaxing soak in the bath – there’s nothing quite like it to help you unwind at the end of the day. When your partner gets home from work, offer to treat them to a gorgeous bubble bath with all the trimmings. Let them put their feet up while you get everything ready. Top of the list has to be plenty of bubbles and the fizzy luxury of a bath bomb, complemented by scented candles and a few handfuls of rose petals. Floating on the top of the bath is a tray with a special little gift inside; a perfect diamond engagement ring. Now, that’s what you call a bath bomb surprise!
If you already have children with your partner, they can be part of your proposal at home. They’ll be super happy to be a part of this incredible moment, and involving your children can bring a whole new level of joy to the event. Why not ask your little ones to create some artwork that spells out the message? Or, for older children, ask them to capture the moment on their camera phones that you can share on social media afterwards to let friends and family enjoy it too.
If you haven’t got children together but do have pets, they can play a role in that purrfect proposal. Imagine your beloved kitty strolling into the room with a ribbon around its collar and that gorgeous engagement ring attached. Or your pup bounding in with a basket in their mouth and a special message from your partner? Alternatively, you can get a collar tag engraved with the magic words if you want to give your partner their engagement ring yourself.
We all love a movie night – a big bowl of popcorn, your favourite film, and a surprise at the bottom of the bowl! Whether you love a good rom-com or prefer an action film where the hero saves the day, you can create your own Director’s Cut with a totally different ending.
Do you remember your first date? Why not take a trip down Memory Lane by recreating that first date together? Whether it was a picnic in the park, a coffee in the local café or a winter walk followed by hot chocolate and a slice of cake, your first date has a special place in your heart. By recreating it, you’re reminding your partner of that dizzy feeling when you first both realised that you were made for each other. Then pop the question to bring everything full circle and start on the next part of your journey together.
Throughout history, a gentle moonlight serenade beneath a fair maiden’s balcony has been a surefire way to fan the flames of love. And even today, there’s no reason why you can’t recreate this romantic proposal at home. A rendition of their favourite song (as long as it’s not Ace of Spades by Motorhead!) softly sung beneath the window in the light of a full moon is a wonderful way to say how much you love them. And it doesn’t even matter if you can’t carry a tune: it’s the thought that counts. Make sure you’ve let the neighbours know in advance, though, as a well-aimed boot halfway through the second verse of ‘I will always love you’ could spoil the mood a little!
Cosy nights in together are just the right opportunity to break out a jigsaw puzzle. But hang on, this one’s got something extra written on it… As they put together the puzzle, it spells out ‘Will You Marry Me?’ and you’ll quickly have your answer to this particularly puzzling question. If they’re not fans of jigsaw puzzles, you can play this game using other methods too. How about a set of dominoes inscribed with letters to make up your proposal? Or a game of Monopoly with an extraordinary Chance card included?
If you’re looking for ideas for proposals at home, they don’t come much better than that old classic, a trail of rose petals leading from the door. Follow the trail, and at the end, your partner finds you, engagement ring in hand and that all-important message spelt out behind you in balloons. It’s fun, colourful, and a great way to create a genuinely romantic moment on a budget.
In an age where every phone has a camera, we’ve all become photographers. However, a photo shoot with a professional gives you results you couldn’t replicate with that three-year-old smartphone. A photoshoot together is a romantic thing to do, and you get a set of photos that can’t be deleted accidentally if you drop your phone in a puddle! It’s also an ideal opportunity to propose and get your photographer to capture your partner’s reaction in a perfect snap. Those pictures can go on to form part of your wedding album, charting your story from your simple proposal at home to the big day itself.
Every year, we get a series of fabulous asteroid displays, where the night sky is filled with shooting stars. What better opportunity to spread out a blanket, break open a bottle of wine and gaze up at the night sky in all its glory? As the Perseid meteor shower streaks across the sky, it’s time to make a wish that your partner will say ‘Yes’ to your proposal. Make sure you say it out loud, though, so they can have the chance to make your wish come true. Unfortunately, this fantastic proposal at home doesn’t work if it’s raining or cloudy out, so make sure you have a Plan B in place, just in case.
If you’ve just moved into your first home together, or if you’ve decided that wallpaper really has to go, a DIY proposal is a cute way of telling your partner that you want to spend the rest of your life with them. You can paint the words ‘Will You Marry Me?’ behind pictures on the wall, and as they remove each one, the message is spelt out. If you want to keep a memento of your proposal, add a heart and the date on an area of the wall and put a little frame around it. That’ll remind you of the day you decided to ditch the magnolia paint and propose to your partner.
Roses are red, violets are blue… Poetry has always been romantically inclined, telling tales of entwined hearts and never-ending love. You don’t have to be the Poet Laureate or William Shakespeare to create a sonnet or two. But you have to speak from the heart and create a poem that signifies your true feelings. And the words don’t even have to rhyme. Google for free printing software, and you can even print off your poem for your loved one to keep. Or have it printed and framed so they can keep a permanent reminder of your poem and your proposal.
Like a Babushka doll, memory boxes are boxes within boxes filled with trinkets, keepsakes, and special reminders of your life together. Why not put together a memory box for your partner and then surprise them with the last box containing a perfect solitaire engagement ring? It’s the grown-up version of ‘Pass the Parcel’ and is a beautiful and simple way to tell someone just how much they mean to you.
Who needs Caribbean beaches or mountaintop sunsets with these wonderfully simple home proposal ideas to choose from? Simple proposal ideas are sometimes the best. They’re intensely personal to you and your partner and don’t cost a fortune, either. What could be better?
If you’ve splashed out on a beautiful ring for your ‘other half’, make sure you find the right insurance to keep it safe. Here at TH March, our team of experts are on hand to provide you with specialist insurance for your engagement ring so you and your fiancé can relax and cherish your special jewellery for many years to come.
TH March offers its customers access to elite levels of support. A dedicated claims handler will deal with your claims, easing the process for you. Get in touch with TH March today to discuss your jewellery insurance needs.