marriage PROPOSAL PLANNERS SINCE 2010
51 proposal ideas curated by proposal planners
Looking for the perfect way to propose? After planning more than 10,000 marriage proposals since 2010, we’ve seen what makes a proposal unforgettable. Explore 51 of our favorite proposal ideas—from simple and romantic to adventurous, elaborate and completely unexpected.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to marriage proposals. The perfect proposal isn’t the one everyone else is doing – it’s the one that feels right for the person you love.
After more than 10,000 proposals, one thing we know for sure: the best proposal isn’t necessarily the biggest or most elaborate. It’s the one your partner will love. We’ve been proposal planners for 16 years, and our extensive proposal planning experience means we’ve planned just about every kind of proposal imaginable.
Written by Michele Velazquez & Marvin Velazquez, Co-Founders of The Heart Bandits · Planning proposals worldwide since 2010 · Updated September 29, 2026
01 Quick ideas you can plan yourself
Not every great proposal requires a production. After planning more than 10,000 proposals, we’ve learned that some of the most meaningful ideas can be surprisingly simple. If you’re planning the proposal yourself, these are some of our favorite ways to create a memorable moment without overcomplicating it.
Propose on a Hike
For the active couple, consider proposing on a hike. The hike can be to a quaint place but of course it’s even better if the location has a beautiful view. If you two have done this before then it can be a hike to a meaningful location from your past.
Outdoors
Get a Chauffeur
Consider putting together a romantic itinerary around the city, chauffeured by your own private limo driver. This can even be in your own hometown and you have a stay-cation. This will make your partner feel pampered and adored. Pop the question at a pre-determined spot with a view and then hop back in and celebrate with a champagne toast. Have the limo drop you off at an awesome post engagement party next.
City
Include Special Lyrics
If you have special songs that are super special to you, find a way to print out the lyrics on something special and visually appealing. It can be on something as simple as picture frames or more grand like canvases or laser-cut wooden signs. On the proposal day, your partner can read the meaningful words right before you drop to your knee and propose.
Keepsake
Handwrite a Love Letter
Handwritten love letters are a lost art. They are even better if they’re written in cursive and on old-style paper. Handwrite a love letter explaining why you want to marry your partner and then have it as the focal point of your marriage proposal.
Bonus: Have multiple letters hidden along your partner’s trail home to create that extra level of romance.
Sentimental
LOVE THE IDEAS. DON’T WANT TO PLAN IT YOURSELF?
We’ll Handle the Proposal.
Choose one of our ready-to-book proposal packages or let Michele and Marvin create something completely custom.
02 Private proposal ideas
For the couple who wants the moment to belong only to them.
Wine, Dine, Propose
Set up a private dinner for two overlooking the ocean or on a cliff as we did for Jeremy above. Your partner will never suspect a thing and it will make for an epic story. When the time is right, you get on bended knee then a waiter takes your order. This is the perfect proposal idea for an introvert.
Dinner
For the Art Lover
Rent an art gallery and create a unique personalized exhibit that no other proposal ideas would have. This is a great option when it is too cold for an outdoor proposal and you are looking for ways to propose inside. You can have other artwork in the gallery be your photos or maybe love notes from you to your partner. Many art galleries are happy to help and be part of a special love story.
Indoors
On a Wine Excursion
If your partner is a wine lover then consider taking them to a beautiful winery. Many wineries across the country have gorgeous estates and offer private tastings. Arrange with the winery to have a private tasting and tour. At the end of the tour, pop the question at the winery or by making a custom-labeled wine!
Winery
Transform Your Penthouse
Save some money on a proposal venue by having someone decorate your hotel room or Penthouse! This type of idea has almost limitless possibilities for decor options. You can go with the standard rose petals, flowers, and candles all over or you can fill the room with a ton of balloons. You can add an element of flare by incorporating a private chef. If the room does not have a kitchen, consider having custom desserts such as cupcakes or macarons that say “She Said YES!”. If you are proposing in New York, check out our Penthouse in the New York Proposal Ideas page.
Hotel
Rooftop Proposal
Some of the most popular proposal ideas we plan for our clients often include a rooftop venue. Therefore add some personalization to it so that your partner knows that you truly “get” them. Just look above for what we did for Pete and Dily. This is truly the perfect way to get engaged! You don’t even need to have a luxury high-rise skyscraper either. You can do it at your own apartment building if needed.
Skyline
Hire a Private Chef
Include a private chef in your proposal idea to add some extra romance and personalization. Have the chef cook up your partner’s favorite food in a 3-5 course meal to add that element of elegance. The proposal can be incorporated into the dessert with a special cake that asks your partner to marry you.
Culinary
Propose in a Garden
In the right season, proposing in a garden can be a charming idea. With the plants, flowers, and beautiful trails and pathways it’s a lovely place to propose since you can revisit this location and reminisce on your proposal. Just add a picnic or photos and it will be instantly romantic.
Garden
Culinary Proposal
If you and your partner share a love for cooking, you can both either take a cooking class together or you could invite them over to cook a “special recipe” with you. The surprise can be the dessert with the message asking them to marry you!
At Home
03 Public proposal ideas
For couples who want family, friends, or a whole city in on the moment.
Surprise Them with a Flash Mob
These spontaneous dance routines are still a very popular grand display of affection. They can be a great proposal idea for someone who loves to be the center of attention and also for someone who wants to incorporate their friends and family. Make sure and search to find the best dance team like the dancers that we offer for our Flash Mob proposal packages. You don’t want this to go viral on Facebook or Instagram for the wrong reasons!
Performance
Make a Grand Gesture
For a true city experience, consider proposing on a billboard in Times Square or in Las Vegas. This is one of the most eye-catching ways to scream out your love to your partner so that she will never forget. For people that love to be the center of attention this, could be the best of all proposal ideas!
Billboard
A Cappella Serenade
Imagine your partner’s surprise when you are out for a walk and a group of singers stops you to serenade your sweetie with a special song! When you are ready, turn to your partner, present your engagement ring, and drop to your knee for that perfect proposal. This is a great way to show your partner love on your proposal day.
Music
Neon Signs or Marquee Letters
Large proposal signage creates an immediate visual reveal, but it works best for someone who genuinely likes grand gestures. For a more personal approach, use their name, a meaningful phrase or details from your relationship.
Signage
04 Romantic proposal ideas
Classic, tender, and built around the details only your partner would notice.
Recreate Favorite Trips
Just like our client Manuele did in the picture above, consider having something from one of your favorite trips recreated. His favorite trip with his then-girlfriend was going to Paris, where he first fell in love with her. Because of this, he chose the Eiffel Tower and we made it out of roses and moss to create one of the most amazing backdrops for a marriage proposal!
Travel
Suspended Romance
Propose outside the box by hanging things from trees or a ceiling you would typically put on the ground for your proposal. Consider things like picture frames, paper airplanes, love notes, etc. Of course, you may need a permit so you’ll want to be sure to check with the venue first before hanging items on trees.
Installation
Highlight What Matters
Spruce up any location by adding a ton of your memories to it. This of course includes framed photos but can also include mementos from your relationship such as concert tickets, Christmas ornaments, favorite/memorable clothing items, etc. Do this by creating the perfect romantic scene for your proposal and tell your unique love story.
Personal
Go Overboard with Candles
Candles are the classic element for romance and a necessity for sprucing up an idea. Set up candles somewhere super romantic such as a beach, a park with a view, or a rooftop. You can create a pathway or a heart and presto….You have a romantic and budget-friendly proposal!
Candlelight
Spell Out the Proposal
Make your proposal message extra large by literally making the message extra large. Spell out your partner’s name or a sweet message on the ground at your proposal location by using rose petals, candles, or anything else romantic or symbolic. You then “stumble” upon this message and your partner will be shocked when they see you popping the question. If you are proposing in LA, we have a MARRY ME package on our Los Angeles Proposal Ideas package.
Typography
Bring in a Grand Piano
Just like candles are classic elements, having a piano in your proposal will add that timeless touch to your proposal. Have a piano set up in a romantic space such as a rooftop or penthouse with a view. When you walk in, there is a pianist who begins playing your special song.
Music
Display Milestone Photos
One way to add personalization to any proposal idea is to display your photos around the proposal setup. You can even get artistic and add similar filters to the photos such as black and white, sepia, or special color coding. Let us help with the proposal design to fancy it up!
Photography
05 Adventurous & outdoor proposal ideas
For couples who’d rather propose mid-adventure than over dinner.
Propose in the Snow
A winter wonderland can always bring a beautiful look and wonder to a scene. The contrast of rose petals on snow or candles out in the cold is something that automatically creates a sense of romance. If you plan on proposing in the winter, include snow in your big moment.
Winter
Plan a Proposal on Stage
We get so many requests to propose on stage after a Broadway show. This is a really cool idea which can lead to the ultimate surprise proposal, but does require a lot of lead time to arrange it with production (and it’s not always possible) so keep that in mind. If you need a hand, hire us to plan it for you.
Theater
Hot Air Balloon
For the thrill seeker, take your partner on a romantic and adventurous hot air balloon ride over a gorgeous countryside. There are many areas throughout the country where there are beautiful views. Upon landing surprise your partner by getting on bended knee. This is an amazing way to ask the big question!
Sky
Charter a Helicopter
If your partner loves flying, consider proposing on a private helicopter ride over the city. Just make sure they are not afraid of helicopters or heights! We want this to be the best moment of their life, not a scary one.
Sky
Plan a Romantic Picnic
Having a really romantic picnic is a great proposal idea. Include your partner’s favorite food, colors, and your special photos. You can make the picnic especially romantic with other elements such as romantic pillows, lanterns, framed photos, and flowers or rose petals. This is a great proposal for most seasons; spring, summer, and fall. Bonus idea: Plan a scavenger hunt and have the picnic be the final location!
Outdoors
Propose Underwater
Show the depths of your love by proposing underwater. There are many ways of doing this. You can take a dive and have her find something hidden in the water like a message in a bottle. Make sure to secure the ring so you don’t lose it! You can also do other options like an aquarium with scuba divers that display a proposal message to your partner.
Underwater
Skydiving Proposal
Take your partner on an adventure of a lifetime! Take a skydive from 10,000 feet in the air and as you’re coming down to earth, your partner sees a large banner that asks her to marry you! This is a thrill seeker’s dream!
Extreme
Set Up on the Beach
The beach is always considered a romantic location, especially around sunset. With ocean views, soft sand, and relaxing sounds, it can be the perfect spot to get on one knee. You can set up something romantic and unexpected on the beach like the proposal we did for Raul above and your partner will have lasting memories of it forever.
Beach
With an Adorable Sea Lion
If your partner loves sea lions or cute animals then you will win major bonus points with this perfect proposal idea! It’s completely unexpected and will bring loving joy to your partner. Consider booking a package where the sea lion brings your partner a buoy that says, “Marry Me?”
Unexpected
A Picturesque Proposal
Does your partner LOVE Instagram? Then consider taking them on a photo tour along a scenic area of town right around sunset so that all the images would be Instagram-perfect. Your photographer will take all the photos and at just the right time, they’ll capture your proposal.
Photography
06 Elaborate proposal ideas
For moments that call for a little more imagination, production, and wow.
Incorporate Fashion
If your partner loves fashion, consider sending them on a shopping spree as part of your proposal. Ask their best friend to help you pick out some of their favorite local stores. Send them to each store and arrange for them to receive gifts before meeting you at the final proposal destination.
Experience
Light Up the Sky with Fireworks
If you have the budget for it, then fireworks are a great way to add the “wow factor” to all proposal ideas occurring at night. Just make sure to research the city rules and terms and allow yourself enough time to apply for a permit. You will want to work with a Proposal Planner and check with the Fire Department on this elaborate idea.
Fireworks
Cold Sparklers
An alternative to fireworks is to have cold sparklers go off right after your partner says yes. This requires a lot of planning but when done correctly, it can be an epic surprise. Cold Sparklers are a lot easier to deal with than fireworks since they aren’t a fire hazard.
Sparklers
Create a Sand Sculpture
An exciting proposal idea is having a sand sculpture created. You’ll be at the beach so that already adds the romantic element. When it comes to the actual sculpture in the sand, the possibilities are endless. It should represent important moments in your relationship. Check out the sand sculpture proposal we did for Chris.
Beach
Drone Display
For something truly exceptional, create an elaborate and customized drone display that creates artwork and written messages in the air for your love. This is truly unique and will create an incredible WOW factor! Your partner will not be able to say No!
Drones
07 Creative & unique proposal ideas
The ideas that don’t fit any other list — which is exactly the point.
Recreate a Music Video
As we did for Cincinnati Bengals George Iloka above, recreate a music video that is meaningful to your relationship. It could be a sappy song or you could add humor like George did.
Video
Incorporate Your Initials
One way to really personalize your proposal is to include your initials. For a proposal idea like this, you could include your initials in rose petals, candles, or some other creative way.
Personal
Design a Picture Book
Picture books and memory books are great additions to your proposal setup. Use it as the proposal finale and you are sure to get a weepy yes. For the more technologically advanced, you could also create a movie slideshow.
Keepsake
The Happiest Disney Proposal
If your partner is a lover of Disney, consider a Disney theme proposal idea or proposing at Disneyland. Just keep in mind that Disney parks are a bit strict about what they allow at the park. Check out our blogs for more tips on how to propose at Disneyland.
Theme
Painted Artwork
Commission a professional artist to custom make a painting of you on bended knee for your partner. Display this custom artwork at a gallery and tell your partner you want to check out the gallery. To their surprise, the highlight of the gallery will be your proposal which is depicted in the actual painting!
Art
Include Children
If you and your partner have children together or have young children in your family that are special to you (such as nieces or nephews), bring them in for your special moment. Have them wear a cute shirt or hold flowers as you propose. Just never let them hold the rings.
Family
Work with an Artist
Have an artist waiting for you at a predetermined location. They can hand draw the proposal or another romantic scene from your relationship. They can even draw the very place you are standing the moment you propose.
Live Art
Bring on the Cuddly Pets
There are many couples that are animal lovers and the proposer would love to have that precious pet included in the proposal. This can be a great idea but also can be difficult depending on the pet. We have planned pug-posals, proposals using cats, and even a petting zoo. If your partner is an animal lover, this could be the basis of a great proposal idea.
Pets
Using a Cool Ring Box
What is the point of having a really cool proposal and a really basic ring box? If the ring box is the size of a shoe box, then that can actually ruin a proposal because your partner might suspect you’re hiding the ring box. As a solution, check out the slim, rotating ring box at Ring Stash.
Detail
Create a Custom Song
For the couple that looks as the details, you can have a song custom written by a professional songwriter. Have him or her play that song or have it performed as you propose. Your partner will always remember that song.
Music
Pinterest Proposal
Follow your partner on Pinterest and find out exactly what their dream proposal is and then re-create it. Many partners actually have a Pinterest board created in the hopes of their partner finding it so that they get the proposal of their dreams.
Research
Incorporate Holidays
If you are planning on proposing during a holiday, use that holiday as a theme. For example, if you are planning on proposing near Christmas, maybe you can incorporate customized Christmas ornaments on your tree.
Seasonal
Escape Room Proposal
Take your partner on a seemingly fun date to an escape room. Little will they know that at the end of the game, they will not only be solving the clues to escape but also to their own proposal reveal!
Experience
Common Questions
Answers from 16+ years of planning proposals worldwide.
Rooftop proposals and private candlelit dinners are among our most-requested settings, since they combine a striking backdrop with the privacy many couples want for the moment itself.
No. Simple ideas like a handwritten love letter, a scenic hike, or a candlelit picnic are consistently among the most emotional types of proposals. Every relationship is different so what works for one couple may not work for the next.
It depends on your partner’s personality. Private settings like a garden, rooftop, or private chef dinner suit couples who want the moment to belong only to them, while public ideas like a flash mob or a cappella serenade suit couples who love being around people or being the center of attention.
Simple proposal ideas can sometimes come together in a matter of days, while custom experiences involving private venues, permits, multiple vendors, or elaborate logistics may require several weeks or more. When possible, we recommend starting early so you have the best selection of locations and vendors.
Yes. This list is a starting point. Michele and Marvin design fully custom proposals from scratch around your relationship, your partner, your location, and your budget.