Cascading crimson bouquets, heart-shaped boxes brimming with artisanal chocolates and, perhaps, the glint of a diamond ring this year? Though some criticise Valentine’s Day as a commercial exercise, others enjoy the opportunity to be romantic, showering their partner with gifts and carving out quality time to spend together. For couples who look forward to the hearts and roses each year, proposing on Valentine’s Day can make an engagement all the more special.
If you plan to pop the big question on February 14th, we’ve got Valentine’s Day proposal ideas to inspire this milestone moment. Whether you’d like to keep it low-key and intimate or orchestrate a grand, Instragrammable proposal straight out of a Hollywood movie, we have classic and unique ideas to give your partner the proposal they deserve. Whatever the budget, your marriage proposal on Valentine’s Day will mean it’s not only Cupid who’s shooting his shot on this famous day of romance.
The mysterious history of Valentine’s Day
The supermarkets won’t let you forget Valentine’s Day is approaching, with floral displays and shelves of cards and cute teddies front and centre. But for most, the origins of the day are long forgotten. St Valentine lends his name to this global day of love – but who was he?
Legend tells us that a third-century Roman Catholic priest named Valentine continued to secretly marry soldiers to their sweethearts after Emperor Claudius decreed that soldiers should remain single. The cruel Emperor ordered the priest’s execution, securing Valentine’s position as a future Saint. Another legend suggests Valentine helped Christians escape the brutality of Roman prisons. After his own imprisonment for these acts, Valentine fell in love with the jailor’s daughter, sending her the first ever ‘Valentine’ greeting, declaring his love and signing it… from your Valentine.
There is further debate as to why we celebrate on February 14th. Though it has been suggested it’s to commemorate the date of the Saint’s death or burial, others hypothesise that the Christian church used Valentine to shift focus from the mid-February Pagan fertility festival of Lupercalia. Though we can’t be sure of the true origin, we do know that by the Middle Ages, Saint Valentine was admired as a selfless and romantic figure. Valentine’s greetings, poems and cards have been sent from this time, firmly cementing February 14th as a day to express love.
Proposing on Valentine’s Day – why today is the day
If you’re still on the fence about whether Valentine’s Day is the right time to bend down on one knee, there are plenty of benefits to choosing this popular date. Romance is already in the air on the 14th, and you can celebrate your proposal date on this special day every year.
Year after year, Valentine’s Day rates up there with Christmas and New Year as the most popular date for getting engaged. It adds a sense of occasion, and with the shops overflowing with love-themed accessories at this time of year, pulling off your proposal ideas on Valentine’s Day is a cinch.
Romantic Valentine’s proposal ideas
Date picked? Check! Now, all that’s left to do is plan how you’re going to propose on Valentine’s Day. A solid plan will help deter those pre-proposal jitters and, importantly, will help you curate a marriage proposal that will mean the world to the person you love the most.
Browse our 12 Valentine’s proposal ideas to find romantic, creative, understated and extravagant ways to pop the question this February.
Don’t let the February chill put you off! Instead, utilise the lingering winter to find an enchanting spot to propose. Consider an outdoor ice rink or hop across the Channel to the ubiquitously romantic Paris, a city whose winter aesthetic is full of twinkling lights and glowing bistros. Tap into the snug winter vibes and propose to your partner while they’re wrapped up cosy in their woolly hat and scarf – an adorable look for those “I said yes!” social media snaps.
Follow the tradition of announcing an engagement in the press by organising for your proposal to be published in the local newspaper on Valentine’s Day. Present a delicious breakfast in bed to your partner, complete with the newspaper, and wait for them to spot the surprise.
A popular way to lead your partner to a romantic home-cooked candlelit supper or luxurious bubble bath, the path of scattered rose petals can be utilised when you’re proposing on Valentine’s Day. While your partner may be expecting to be led to delicious food or an evening of pampering, instead they could be greeted by a proposal written in petals, tealight candles or illuminated letters.
This Valentine’s Day proposal idea is perfect if you’re keen to go all out and give your partner a night they’ll never forget. Book a chauffeur to drive them around their favourite city in a luxury car, taking them to that restaurant they’ve always wanted to try and to their favourite show or club. At the end of the night, ask the driver to take you to an attractive landmark in your city to propose.
Simple but super cute, if you always buy your partner a box of their favourite chocolates for Valentine’s Day, this year pop their engagement ring in there and wait for them to discover it. You could even replace the chocolate description card with your own proposal note.
Keep your partner guessing and going wild with anticipation this February by sending them a cryptic note and a little gift every day from the 1st until the 14th. You could include letters that will eventually be put together to spell out your proposal, or you could use the notes as a scavenger hunt, culminating in finding the ring on Valentine’s Day. This creative Valentine’s Day proposal idea is both affordable and memorable.
If your partner is happy with heights, the sky is the limit when you propose Valentine’s Day. A flight above a twinkling cityscape or across the rolling countryside is a wonderfully romantic prelude to the proposal. You could propose midair, and why not try to organise a marriage proposal down on Terra Firma – a sign laid flat on a rooftop or “Marry me?” spelt out in a field?
If you know your limits and don’t have the creativity or planning skills to orchestrate the proposal you want, book an engagement planner to take the reins. You may love the idea of throwing a Valentine’s themed party, where you’ll propose while a band or DJ plays your partner’s favourite song. Or maybe you’d like to book a hotel and fancy restaurant where the ring will turn up nestled in the dessert but don’t know how to put all the puzzle pieces together. Avoid the stress and let a professional take charge, ensuring your extra special Valentine’s Day proposal runs smoothly.
If your partner is as sentimental as they come, give them all the “feels” by recreating your first date. Attention to detail is key! If you have photos from your first date, try to recreate your outfit, and if they allow you to, pick out their original outfit to wear. At the point where you said goodbye to them, be it at their front door or the taxi rank, bend one knee and bring things full circle. This Valentine’s Day proposal idea will make fond memories that neither of you will forget.
If you tend to head for some winter sun in the new year, why not book this holiday to coincide with Valentine’s Day, allowing you to pop the question while your partner is blissfully laid back on vacation? Proposing on holiday means you’ll have had plenty of quality time together and gives you the scope to get down on one knee in a special spot, such as a beach as the sun sets.
Tell your partner that this year you’d love to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special couples photoshoot… where you’ll ultimately ask for their hand in marriage. If this suggestion will make your partner suspicious, why not tell them you won a couple’s Valentine’s shoot on a local radio competition or at the office Christmas raffle? The joy of the professional photo shoot is that your partner will have time to get ready and feel confident in their appearance, and, of course, you get excellent quality photos capturing the look of happiness on both your faces at the big moment. Photographers are well-versed in the surprise proposal and will be able to stage the scene for you and play along.
Choose a jeweller you know your other half loves and reserve a Valentine’s Day appointment (allowing plenty of time to book this in-demand slot). After an elegant lunch in town or a romantic stroll through the frosty park, make your way to the jewellers. When your partner asks why you’ve brought them here, you can get down on one knee and tell them it’s time to choose their engagement ring. Cue popping Champagne bottles and a magical afternoon watching your partner fall in love with a ring.
Things to keep in mind when planning your Valentine’s proposal
Proposing on Valentine’s Day can take some forethought and budget planning. It’s not just the sparkling ring that’ll take its share of your engagement fund. You need to think about the added extras such as a special meal to share on the day (and don’t forget restaurants are prone to hiking up the price of their Valentine’s Day menu), and your outfit (and perhaps a special outfit for them too, so they’re happy with how they look in the engagement shots). You may need to book accommodation, a photographer, and a planner, and remember the added cost of all those little extra touches like the roses, candles, balloons, confetti and sweet treats.
You also need to keep in mind that hotels and restaurants, photographers and drivers get booked up well in advance for Valentine’s Day. So, unless it’s just you and your diamond ring on the day, plan your February 14th proposal well in advance.
Make it extra special – elevate your proposal this February 14th
You know how, where and when you’re going to propose and now it’s time to add that extra sprinkle of loveliness to the proceedings. Make your Valentine’s Day proposal their favourite memory with one of these added touches:
Proposing on Valentine’s Day is a romantic’s dream come true. Keep the romance alive by making sure your beautiful engagement ring receives the protection it deserves with insurance by TH March.