Your nervous, very nervous…your palms are sweating, your feet are sweating, in fact, there isn’t a part of you that isn’t sweating! Your about to ask the most beautiful woman to be your wife. If your like me, you have absolutely no idea how you are going to ask the love of your life to spend your lives together. So you start a frantic search. For ideas, for inspiration, for anything to show her how much you love her! A marriage proposal is a milestone in your life and should be treated as much!
Fret not, Megan and I are here to help! We’ve scoured the web in search of the most memorable, amazing, tear jerking proposals and brought them all here to (hopefully) get your creative love juices flowing.
1. The James Bond - Hire a proposal videographer and photographer. Rent some advertising time from your local movie theatre. Who knows, given the awesomeness of this romantic gesture, the movie theatre might do it for free! Doesn’t hurt to ask either
Have the proposal photographers and videographer film you asking your special girls father for permission for his daughters hand. Here’s where you get to be James Bond and sneak around to set things up. Get one of her friends, family members, or anyone you trust to take her to the movies on a specific day and time. This is where the ad space comes in. Have the theatre put your proposal movie on the big screen. While she’s watching your awesome action movie/proposal take place on the big screen, come in, get on one knee (you must do this, every girl has dreamed since she was 3 about a guy getting on one knee to propose), and pop the question.
Can’t quite envision it? Here’s a link to the marriage proposal: http://youtu.be/pnVAE91E7kM
Talk about raising the bar! This guy’s proposal was epic…I mean made for the movies epic…literally! The first thing he did right was hire some professionals to capture this awesome memory. Second, he got creative. And last, but not least, is the element of surprise. Catching your loved one off guard is key to a “surprise proposal”. I know it sounds like a given, but there are a ton of proposal fails out there!
2. The Mission Impossible - This one’s all about timing and having some awesome friends and family that can help you. Plan a getaway, this doesn’t have to be to Hawaii, Italy, or anything crazy, it could just be a trip to you local metro area. Get yourself something that plays videos. A portable DVD player, a cell phone, a PSP…doesn’t matter. Next record short video clues or love notes directing your bride to be to each location (your accomplice should already be aware of each destination). In each location there should be a surprise. Flowers, singers, a new dress for the night out, you get the idea.
All of the destinations should require some effort on her part. Packing clothes, finding clues, etc… There should be someone videotaping and photographing the entire process. Preferably professionals so that the final product is spectacular! Don’t forget the extra kudos you’ll get for being able to share the moment with your family.
Here’s the link to this stellar proposal: http://youtu.be/oVbX-4n0D4s
Once again, this proposal was memorable because the guy took his time to plan an amazing moment, got his friends and family involved, and captured the whole thing to share with loved ones for years to come.
3. The Kansas City Shuffle - If you’ve ever seen “Lucky Number Slevin” you’ll know that the Kansas City Shuffle is when everyone looks right and you go left. This ones about deception. First you’ll need to come up with an excuse to have a videographer and a photographer follow you around. It could be an old friend that needs some footage for his portfolio, or that it’s a gift for her in some way. Next your going to plan a short trip to all of the places that hold a significant meaning for your relationship. Maybe the place you went for your first date, where you met, or where you had your first kiss. Your last stop is where your proposal will take place. This is where you’ll want to have everyone who is important to you hiding. Make sure you have a distraction lined up so that she’s not looking around. A friend playing guitar, someone singing, a string quartet….whatever you think she’s going to like the most. We suggest music only because it has such an great way of setting the mood. If you guys are in to clowns or magicians that’s cool too…lol…whatever keeps her attention on you. Remember, we want her looking right while you go left. While she’s distracted, have your families come out of hiding, but to her back so she doesn’t see them. They can be holding a sign that says “will you marry me” if you’d like. Ask your future wife to turn around. While she’s confused as to why your families are present on your über romantic date, pull the ring from your pocket and ask her to turn around again. The Kansas City Shuffle…gets them every time.
Here is a great example of this amazing marriage proposal done right: http://youtu.be/uN91CarVat8
4. The Bachelor – By the name, you’ve probably already guessed what this one is all about. Imagine being in a romantic setting surrounded by candles on the show “The Bachelor”. Your first step will be to spill your heart out in a letter to the girl of your dreams. Next, surprise your future wife with a limo to pick her up and drive her to this Bachelor-esq rendezvous point. There you should have a beautiful candle lit path leading up to you, who is also surrounded by candles. That’s it! Now, just say the special words and live happily ever after. Our only suggestion to go with this video, is to hire a professional. You’ll see what we mean when you click the link. Shaky camera work could ruin your memory forever.
Here’s the link to this awesome proposal: http://youtu.be/Dx3chnPjFL4
5. The Tribute to Love - If your looking for a simple and romantic proposal that’s a little more low key without the frills and thrills of the productions mentioned above, this is the one for you! Find yourself a beautiful spot in a park or somewhere that holds a significant meaning to you both. Set up a shrine to your love. Take pictures from your home. Write love notes and hang them from a tree. Write promises to her. Spill your heart out and tell her all about the depths of your love. Be a hopeless romantic. Leave a box on the ground with a key and a note that reads “read my promises before opening”. Inside the box should be a note asking her to marry you. Plan for you two to meet at this special location for a picnic. When she arrives, make sure to have the photographer and the videographer hiding and out of sight along with yourself. You can even invite your parents for this memorable occasion. After she’s opened the box you can step out of hiding to get on one knee. The proposal photographer and videographer should stay hiding until after she’s said yes to get the most genuine reaction.
This amazing proposal idea comes from The Yes Girls. You can see their video here: http://youtu.be/gwYChdZYEpA
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The one common thread you’ll find in all of these fun and amazing marriage proposals is that there is a photographer and videographer present to capture the moment she says YES. You and your future wife will want that memory to look back on and cherish for the rest of your lives! Plus it makes a great gift for your families
Don’t forget guys, this is your chance to be the knight in shining armor, Prince Charming, the man that every girl dreams about since the first time they saw Cinderella. Don’t be afraid to make a grand gesture and make a fool of yourself. That’s what love is all about. Taking big risks and reaping the rewards. Grand gestures don’t have to cost a fortune either. Remember what your momma taught you… “it’s the thought that counts”, so put some thought into your ideas for your engagement proposal and we promise your princess will swoon over your efforts.
If you’d like more information from Chicago proposal photographers Corlis and Megan Gray, feel free to fill out our short contact form. You can get to it by clicking the link at the bottom of this post, to the left in the first tab, or in the menu at the top of the page. You may also email us at info@chicagoillinois-weddingphotography.com.
Corlis and Megan are also Chicago’s premier wedding photographers specializing in amazing photojournalism and editorial styles.
If you need some help with ideas for engagement or planning your perfect proposal, Check out The Heart Bandits
Looking for an amazing marriage proposal videographer? Check out Amor in Motion
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