If you are considering proposing to your boyfriend, you are not alone.  More and more women are taking their future into their own hands and popping the question to their beloved. But while there is a ton of advice on how a man should propose to his girlfriend, how are you supposed to propose to a man? If you are looking for proposal ideas to your boyfriend, we have you covered.  But first, let’s discuss why you may want to propose to him.

Reasons To Propose To Your Boyfriend

There may be several reasons for you to consider proposing to your boyfriend.  Here are a few:

Tired of Waiting

One obvious reason would be that you are simply ready to get engaged and tired of waiting for him to make the move.  As long as you don’t think you will look back and regret that you did the proposing and not him, then go for it.  You will want to be sure that he is the kind of guy that wouldn’t get turned off by a female proposing to him, but will likely already know that at this point.

Non-Traditional Couple

If traditions bore you then try spicing things up and be the one to propose!  Again, this is something you will already know about him by the time you get to the point that you may propose.

Already Have Children

If you already have children together and you know he wants to be a family, you may want to propose to him.  It may be because you just want everyone to have the same name.  It could even be that you know he is already overwhelmed with dad life (not that you wouldn’t be too).  But if you are ready to get engaged and already have kids, then take the leap!

Not In To Gender Roles

If the idea of waiting around until your prince gives you a fairytale proposal makes your eyes role, you may be one that wants to propose yourself.  Why wait?

It Is Empowering

Women can do anything.  I mean, NASA just had the first ever all women spacewalk! So there is no reason we can’t do this and feel like a badass because of it!

Proposal Ideas For Him

Now that you have decided that you do want to be the one to propose, you are going to need proposal ideas for him.  Just like if you were to plan a traditional proposal, you want to first know what kind of proposal he would like.

Where To Propose To Him

The first thing you will need to decide is if you are going to propose in public or in private.  This decision should be based on what you both would be comfortable with.  If he is an extrovert and is totally keen on you proposing to him, then an outdoor, public proposal could be a hit.  But if he is shy or he is on the fence about a woman proposing, you may want to opt or something private so he is not embarrassed.

How To Propose To Him

There are so many different ways to propose. You could go the romantic route and set up candles and other sweet decor. You could also do something we call a “statement proposal” where you display the proposal in a grand way.  Here some other proposal ideas to your boyfriend:

Something For Him

Try something he has always wanted to do.  Skydiving is a great example.  Then, find a way to incorporate your proposal into that new adventure.

Rock Climbing

A lot of guys like doing athletic activities.  So consider having the proposal message displayed at the top of the rock. Propose once you get up to the top.

Sports

Speaking of athletic, many guys also love sports!  You could go the obvious route and propose on a jumbotron if he would like that kind of attention.  However, if you could get his favorite athlete or team to somehow be a part of the proposal, that may really impress him. Another idea to consider if you are looking for a proposal idea is to put the proposal message on the back of his teams jersey.

Hire Private Chef

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach right?  True.  It’s true.  So a great proposal idea is to hire a private chef and surprise him with candles and a special dinner to set the proposal scene.

Flash Mob

A Flash Mob is a great way to propose to a guy that does love to be the center of attention.  Just please, please, please be sure he is going to say yes because all eyes will be on you during this proposal.

Skywriting

Skywriting is a great proposal idea because it is as grand as a billboard but no one will be watching you propose.

Billboard

Again, for someone that DOES love to have all eyes on him, a billboard in Times Square could be the perfect proposal idea.

Scavenger hunt

For the adventurous guy, send him on a scavenger hunt.  Have him go to places that are special to the two of you.  Examples are; where you had your first date, shared your first kiss, and where you said I love you.  You are at the end, waiting to propose.

Vacation

Plan a vacation somewhere gorgeous and exotic.  Ask him to marry you during a quiet moment when it is just the two of you.

Something Techy

A lot of men love technology so consider a proposal that involves it.  If he loves video games, propose in one!  Really step it up and have Christmas lights choreographed to a proposal.  There are so many ideas here.

Keep It Masculine

Whatever proposal idea you choose, keep it masculine.  While there are always exceptions, most men don’t love flowers, rose petals, and a lot of ornamental decor.  There are plenty of ways to keep things romantic and personalized while not being girly.

How Can A Proposal Planner Help?

Hiring  Wedding Proposal Planners can help you take your marriage proposal to the next level.  Here is how hiring The Heart Bandits can help:

1. We have a male Proposal Planner on our team so he can help keep a guy’s perspective in mind as we create ideas.
2. We help create a proposal concept for him that is romantic but still made for a man.
3. We have all of the vendors, venues, and connections you need to pull off the perfect proposal.
4. You will have one single point of contact for your whole proposal instead of having to communicate with several vendors while trying to keep things a surprise.
5. You will have a professional team at your fingertips to help you get through the entire proposal process and think through everything.  (what if it rains, what if he suspects something, should I invite friends, etc.)

Need more proposal inspiration, read this article about a woman’s proposal to her boyfriend.

Almost every city in the country has a beautiful public park.  They are green spaces that are usually full of trees, grass, and possibly a lake or other water feature. When you think about it, these public parks are a great place to propose!  Why not? They are beautiful, clean, and your partner probably wouldn’t think anything of you taking them there for an afternoon or evening stroll.  Yet if you stop to think about how to propose in a public park, there can be many pitfalls you’re not thinking about.  You should think about these things especially if you’re planning something exceptionally romantic.  Below are some pointers to keep in mind when you’ve decided on proposing in a public park:

Park Jurisdiction

As a proposal planner, it’s important to always remember that every piece of land in the country is owned by someone.  That someone can be a private resident, the city, state, or the federal government.  When you have found a park that you want to propose at, the first step is to figure out who has jurisdiction there.  A simple Google search will usually do the trick.  Try also looking at that city’s Parks and Recreation Department as well.  You need to make sure that what you’re planning is allowed at that location.

Permit for Your Proposal?

Once you know who has jurisdiction, you should find out whether you need to file a permit for your proposal plans.  If so then you’ll probably need to pay a fee or retainer. Try to speak with someone that works in the Parks department and let them know your exact idea.  For example, if you were planning a Central Park proposal idea, you’ll know that you can do picnics there without a problem but if you decided to add a chair or table, then you’ll definitely need a permit.

Remember that if you need a permit, you should always start this process early.  To obtain the permit, most permit offices require several days to weeks lead time to approve and send.  These days are usually business days so keep that in mind!

Think of the Children!

Yes you must think of the children!  But in the sense that you don’t want them ruining your proposal.  Yes children are lovely and beautiful but not exactly conducive to creating a romantic environment.  Once you have chosen a park, you need to decide on a date and time that it will happen.  Make sure the location you choose is not full of dogs or screaming children.  The last thing that you want is to have your proposal setup interrupted screaming children or a runaway dog.  It might be a good idea to scout the exact spot exactly one week before your proposal date at the same time so that you can see what the crowd will be like 1 week later and adjust accordingly.

Stay Out of the Kitchen

In addition to the children playing or playgrounds near by, it’s always best to steer clear of another area.  Unless you’re planning on cooking yourself, its best to avoid areas with picnic benches and public grills.  You want to bypass the ants and other critters that are naturally attracted to these spots.  Also the smells might be too distracting too.  You  don’t want to be getting on bended knee while a few yards away someone is cooking up onions for some hot dogs.

Pick the Perfect Location

Now that you know what places to avoid, then what should you actually look for?  Most people looking to pop the question seem to always want the same thing.  That is a beautiful location with a view that is secluded.  But guess what? If it’s a beautiful location with a view, that means that EVERYONE else will want to be there too!  Unfortunately, views and seclusion don’t go hand-in-hand.

You have to determine if the view or the seclusion is more important to you. If the view  is the most important part then consider proposing at an off-hour.  If seclusion is more important, then look around at the park for a small clearing that may not have the clearest view but still may have a slight view.

Check the Calendar

This one is easy to forget about but it’s very very important! You need to look at the park’s calendar and ensure that other events are not taking place on the same day as your proposal.  If there is then they may detract from your proposal plans.  That would be “No Bueno!”. Check the local city calendar and the newspaper for events on the day that you’re thinking of. Also, it’s generally a bad idea to propose in a park on a public holiday as public parks tend to get crowded.

Proposal Ideas for a Park

Now that you have finally chosen the perfect park and location while avoiding kids and barbecue pits, what will your actual proposal idea be? Below are proposal ideas for a public park to consider.

1. Personalized Picnic

A picnic is something that you can pull off rather easily and probably without a permit.  The biggest thing that you would have to do is to make it personalized to your relationship to make it special.  How about instead of just a blanket and pillows, you add picture frames and a memento from your relationship?  If you two took a special trip together maybe the flight tickets and a sweet note could work.

2. Musical Serenade

A musician awaiting your arrival is a great way to surprise your partner! This is especially true if it’s at a location with a nice view (with no crowds though).  Have the musician waiting to play your special song and after the song she is handed her favorite flowers.  You get extra points if you slow dance with your partner during the song.

3. Photo Shoot

If your partner loves taking photos and wants those perfect Instagram pics, this is the perfect proposal idea!  Tell her that you have scheduled a photo shoot at a beautiful park.  This way, she’ll get totally “glammed” up and will have the perfect look for the photos.  You propose right in the middle of the shoot with beautiful background scenery!

4. Elaborate Floral Display

This would be the hardest to pull off but it would  be the most memorable.  This one would most definitely require a permit and a florist to do the setup.  You take a stroll with your partner and then “stumble” a beautiful display.  It includes her favorite flowers that can be in an aisle, pedestals, arrangements, or even a gorgeous altar.  This display will blow her mind and will make for amazing photos!

How Can The Heart Bandits Help?

If you want to make sure you give your partner the best proposal at a park then it’s best to get some help! There are lots of ways you can blow it so make sure you hire a Proposal Planner to help you plan your public park proposal.  Here’s how The Heart Bandits can help.

• Finding the perfect park and working with permits department
• Getting any kind of insurance or permits paperwork in order for you.
• Helping create the perfect proposal idea that ties in your relationship and is something that your partner will love.
• Finding all the perfect vendors that will make this idea come to life.  That can be a florist, musician, actors, or photographer.   We have a network of trusted vendors that will allow you to be at ease knowing that it’s being handled by professionals.

If you are ready to get started planning your proposal, contact The Heart Bandits today! We will work with you to create an amazing wedding proposal.  We can help you create something original and romantic.  We can’t wait to hear from you!

If you are planning on proposing this Christmas, you are going to love this.  I have been waiting all year to share this New York Christmas proposal idea you will want to re-create.

The Story

Though Stephen and Jessica met in grade school, they didn’t reconnect until later in life at a block party.  They spent a lot of time going on fun dates around the city, traveling together, and eventually they fell in love.  Upon reflection, Stephen said he knew Jessica was “the one” at that block party, it was an immediate feeling.

The Proposal Planning

So many details stood out to us when we interviewed Stephan.  Jessica loves the seasons and corresponding holidays so he wanted to incorporate a Christmas theme into the proposal.  Our vision was a Christmas in Manhattan theme.  We set out to find a rooftop with a view of the iconic Empire State Building which would be the romantic winter setting for the proposal.  Of course, we made sure our rooftop also had an indoor space in case the weather was uncooperative.  We then went Christmas tree shopping to find the perfect tree for our Christmas theme proposal.  Jessica loves yellow, white lights, and a rustic look so we took care to get ornaments and lanterns that played to this theme.

The Proposal

On the day of the proposal, Stephen took Jessica to the private New York rooftop that we rented out for his proposal.  She was completely blown away when she walked out on to the roof and saw an aisle of rustic lanterns and pine branches.  As the guitarist sang, “Say You Won’t Let Go,” by James Arthur, he walked her down the aisle.  They reminisced on all of the photos of their time together which were displayed romantically on the tree.  Stephen then guided her to the proposal ornament and then dropped to his knee to propose.  Jessica said “Yes!!”

Since Stephen described Jessica as family-oriented, we knew that their families needed to be included.  We had them waiting inside of the proposal venue with Champagne and brought them out to surprise her post-proposal.

Christmas Proposal In NYC

Are you planning a Christmas proposal in NYC?  If so, you are going to need an amazing New York Christmas proposal idea.  Here are some tips on how to plan the perfect NYC proposal during the holidays.

Bring In Christmas Decor

Take a lesson from Stephen and rent a breathtaking proposal location in Manhattan for your marriage proposal.  Transform the proposal space with Christmas decor.  Some ideas of how to create a Christmas theme proposal are:

• Bring in a Christmas tree and decorate it with photos and romantic love message ornaments.
• Adorn the space with faux snow to create a winter wonderland.  Read all about our Winter Proposal Idea here.
• Make over the space by bringing in oversized Christmas decor.  Think giant bulb ornaments like they have at department stores.

Utilize Christmas Decor

One of the best things about New York City during the holidays is how festive it is!  You can find an amazing Christmas backdrop for your proposal without spending any money.  Here are some spots in Manhattan you might want to consider.

• Rockefeller Center – During the holidays, the iconic Christmas tree is set up in the center and could be the perfect proposal location.  They also have the ice skating rink and we offer an ice skating marriage proposal package.
• The Lotte Palace – They have a Christmas tree there that not so many tourists don’t know about.  If you are looking for a beautiful tree without the crowds, consider proposing here.
• Tavern on the Green- If you are looking for Christmas decor in Central Park, consider the tree at this iconic restaurant!  It is perfect because you can take her on a stroll around the park, propose by the tree, and go inside for dinner.
• Bryant Park and Washington Square Park- These are 2 other parks with Christmas trees that you could use as your proposal backdrop.
• Lincoln Center Park- This is a great proposal spot because it is in a quiet location but still near a lot of great locations for engagement photos after.
•  Southstreet Seaport- Another location with a great Christmas tree!

Ditch The Christmas Decor

There are other ways to have a Christmas theme proposal idea in NYC that don’t involve decorations.  Consider hiring an a cappella group to serenade her with Christmas carolers.  After the festive songs, have them sing one special proposal song and then propose.

Christmas Gifts

You can always disguise your proposal as a Christmas gift.  You could wrap a few gifts and have your partner open the ring or the proposal gift last.  If you want your proposal to stand out, make the proposal gift something really unique and personalized.  The Heart Bandits can help you come up with a unique finale.

How Can The Heart Bandits Help?

If you want to make sure you give your partner the holiday proposal of their dreams, you will need the best New York Christmas proposal idea. There are so many unoriginal holiday proposal ideas out there, your partner deserves better.  Here are some reasons you might want to hire Wedding Proposal Planners to help you plan your Christmas proposal:

• You don’t want one of the cheesy Christmas proposal ideas you see online, you want something unique
• You don’t know how to find the perfect proposal venue
• You don’t know how to source the Christmas decor like a Christmas tree, faux snow, etc.
• You don’t live in NYC and you need someone on-site to make sure everything goes smoothly and to decorate

If you are ready to get started planning your proposal, contact The Heart Bandits today. We will work with you to create an amazing Christmas or holiday proposal.  We can help you with creating the proposal ideas only and we can bring that idea to life.  We can’t wait to hear from you!

When Mohit contacted The Heart Bandits to plan his Secret Garden proposal in London, we were elated.   There is just nothing more romantic than a secret garden for a marriage proposal and the couple is so in love and gorgeous, how could we not be swooning?!  Mohit and Kresha had been dating for 3 years and now lived in different cities.  It was very important to him to have a perfect proposal that truly showed Kresha how much he loved her.  It had to be private and magical.  I think when you see the Secret Garden Proposal in London photos below, you will agree that we definitely acheived that.

Mohit and Kresha arrived to the garden and followed an aisle of candles which lead them to some trees.  Hanging from the trees were special messages Mohit had written for her, and he read them aloud to her.  The last tree had a gorgeous eternity ring tied to the card which Mohit presented to Kresha.

After the trees, they encountered a sign that said, “This way for life long butterflies.”  They continued on to a wooden gazebo, adorned with butterflies and fairy lights where Mohit went down on one knee and asked for Kresha’s hand in marriage.  She said yes as a guitarist played their special songs.

After the proposal, they enjoyed champagne, some private time tougher, and then the photographer took them to the South Bank for a few photographs overlooking Westminster before they took off to celebrate with their families.  This is probably one of our favorite proposals we have planned in 4 years.  Thank you Mohit, for choosing The Heart Bandits wedding proposal planners to be a part of your special day.

If you are ready to get started planning your perfect proposal idea, contact us today.  Want to recreate this Secret Garden Proposal in London?  We have you covered.

Proposal Planning: The Heart Bandits

We get a lot of unusual proposal requests here at The Heart Bandits.  A lot of those requests involve hiring animals to help with our clients marriage proposals. We have worked with dolphins, tigers, and even as recent as today we were asked to bring in “white kittens” for a proposal.  But the most popular proposal request we get involving animals is for dogs!  So far we have planned a pug proposal, a french bulldog proposal, and a proposal involving Dachshunds.  If you are planning on proposing using dogs, here are some tips that we have learned a long the way.  How To Propose Using Dogs tips are below:

Consider Weather

Jay hired us to plan his pug proposal in NYC during the winter. We were all set to go on Bow Bridge until a HUGE storm hit and the weather became too dangerous for our 4-legged friends.  When planning your puppy proposal, consider a back up plan in case of bad weather.

Get Permission

Never assume that your proposal venue will allow a dog as part of your proposal.  You are always going to want to check with your potential proposal venue if you plan on having a puppy proposal.

Document

Karson hired us to plan his French Bulldog marriage proposal in Austin and wanted it captured on video. The little bulldog’s were strapped with Go-Pro’s to capture the world’s sweetest proposal idea.  When possible, try to hire a proposal photographer or videographer that has experience with animals.  They can be a little unpredictable at times so it is best to work with a team that can pivot when the dog does.

Be Creative

When Oscar hired us to plan his proposal to Paulina, he knew Dachshunds had to be involved.  We added the idea of matching outfits and love notes attached to each dog, resulting in a heartfelt marriage proposal.  Hopefully this article helped you figure out How To Propose Using Dogs and you are ready to get started.

How Can The Heart Bandits Help?

If you are thinking about including dogs in your proposal but still not sure how to do it, contact The Heart Bandits today.  Here are some reasons you might need Wedding Proposal Planners to help you propose with dogs:

• You know you want to propose with a group of puppies but you don’t know where to find them.
• You are worried that your pet won’t cooperate and you need help managing them on the day of.
• You aren’t sure how to incorporate your dog into your specific proposal scenario.
• You need help figuring out a unique idea for how your dog will participate.

We know how to turn your proposal vision into reality and we are the best at what we do.  Consider purchasing a super slim engagement ring box at www.ringstash.com to conceal your surprise proposal on the proposal day.  If you have decided to use dogs in your marriage proposal, also check our article about how to incorporate pets in your marriage proposal here.

Do you love the Big Apple? Are you looking for an intimate place to pop the question that makes you feel like you’re in the heart of the city while giving you a breath of fresh air at the same time? Central Park is the perfect spot for swoon-worthy proposals in a peaceful landscape.  There are many Central Park proposal ideas out there.  But with so many locations to choose from and so many options, how exactly should you propose?  We have put together the Ultimate Guide to Proposing in Central Park for the best NYC proposal ideas.  Follow this guide and you will learn exactly where to propose in Central Park and how.

Should I Propose in Central Park?

If you are planning on proposing in New York City, the thought of proposing in Central Park has certainly crossed your mind.  Below are some reasons that you may want to consider proposing in Central Park.

Iconic

The most obvious reason to propose in Central Park is because of how iconic it is.  It s the most visited park in the United States and one of the most filmed locations in the world.  Imagine being able to say you proposed somewhere like that!

Inexpensive

Central Park has a lot of very pretty shelters that you can rent out for your proposal.  They are very inexpensive to rent out as well.  Renting a gazebo in Central Park is much cheaper than renting out a rooftop in NYC for your marriage proposal.

Beautiful and Open Year-Round

If you are looking for a stunning backdrop for your marriage proposal, Central Park is it.  It is always a beautiful location and is open during ALL seasons.   In the summer, it is green and vibrant. In the fall it is an autumn colored paradise.  In the winter it can be covered in snow and romantic.  They even have an ice skating rink!  In the spring, there are lovely cherry blossoms that bloom and make for timeless photos. There are so many gorgeous proposal locations in Central Park which we will discuss below.

Best Locations in Central Park for a Marriage Proposal

There are so many gorgeous locations for your marriage proposal throughout Central Park. If you need Central Park proposal ideas, we have created a list of the top proposal locations for you to consider:

• Bow Bridge

Bow Bridge is the most requested proposal location in the park.  The architecture is stunning and the views of the water and the city are simply beautiful.  You really can’t get more “New York” than proposing on Bow Bridge.

• Ladies Pavilion

We love Ladies Pavilion because it is a covered gazebo right on the lake.  Read all about how we transformed the gazebo to create this perfect Central Park proposal idea.

• Cop Cot

Cop Cot is a wooden structure that is a historical landmark in Central Park. In the summer, it is covered in green, lush foliage and in the fall, it looks rustic and warm. It is the perfect charming area to pop the question.

• Gapstow Bridge

This bridge is another very popular proposal location in the park.  The bridge itself looks like it’s from a medieval European era with the added allure of the city buildings in the background.

• The Mall

This is the famous tree-lined walkway inside the park where many movies have been filmed.  It is the perfect place to propose for someone that is a literary lover.

• Gothic Bridge

A bridge that not too many people know about is Gothic Bridge on 94th Street.  It has such unique architecture, is rarely busy, and boasts lush foliage and a view of the city.

• Bethesda Terrace

This is a very popular location for a marriage proposal especially in the colder months.  The inside of the terrace is very beautiful and then of course, it is covered in the event it rains.

• Central Park Boulder

This is a gorgeous boulder that is flat enough that you can stand on it with your sweetie and ask them to marry you. It gives you a boost so that you can stand tall in the park and have the beautiful skyline behind you.

• Cats Rock

This is another area in Central Park that is not really known by tourists.  It gives you an amazing view of the skyline so if you want a view of the Manhattan skyline in the background when you propose, this is a great option.

• Wagner Cove

Wagner Cove is a small gazebo that is perfect for 2 right on the edge of the park.  It is secluded and down a quiet little path.  It is perfect for a proposal with just you and your sweetie.

• Belvedere Castle

We get a lot of requests to set up proposals at the castle.  It can be a bit busy and is smaller than you might expect.  However, they do have an adorable gazebo there that you can propose in.

Photography by Rebecca Yale Portraits

• Views of the Bridge

If proposing on the Bow Bridge seems too cliche, consider proposing with the view of one of the iconic bridges in the background.

• Cherry Hill

This is a great proposal location if you are looking to do a picnic.  It is a sprawling grassy area with a view of Bow Bridge, the lake, and the Manhattan skyline.

• The Ramble

If you want to be immersed in nature, consider proposing in The Rambles.  Not a lot of people know about this area since it is off the beaten path, so you are more likely to have some privacy there.

• Shakespeare Garden

Shakespeare Garden is lovely and has several proposal spots.  There are a couple benches where you can propose by and even a large platform area.  Your proposal pictures will have a true garden feel.  Hire The Heart Bandits to make it even more romantic and we can bring in some elements to personalize the area.

• Bethesda Fountain

Another icon in the park is the Bethesda Fountain. You can propose with the terrace and skyline behind you or you can propose with the lake in the background.

Do I Need A Permit?

At this point, you have decided you do want to propose in Central Park and you know where you will do it.  The Ultimate Guide to Proposing In Central Park would not be complete without answering one very important question.  Do I need a permit to propose in Central Park?  If you want to reserve a proposal location like some of those mentioned above then you will want to apply for one.  Having a permit does not mean that part of the park is closed off for you, it simply means that you have permission to have your event there.  And if you reserve a gazebo, then you can ask other people to leave since you have a permit.

How To Propose in Central Park

If you have decided that you want to propose in Central Park, you might be wondering what are the best central park proposal ideas.  Below is a list of ideas to get you started.  Check out our Central Park Proposal Packages here.

Horse and Carriage Ride

If you want to make her feel like she’s living a real-life fairytale, there’s nothing more romantic than planning a horse and carriage ride. Whether you want to cuddle up under blankets as the snow kisses your cheeks, or you want to feel the summer breeze on your face as the carriage takes you through the winding paths of Central Park, every season is perfect for this dreamy proposal idea.

When your horse stops at one of the gazebos in Central Park, The Heart Bandits can have a breathtaking arrangement waiting for you, including flowers, candles, photos, and live music to set the stage for a memorable proposal.

Picture Perfect

Want to capture the moment and look back on it for years to come? As wedding proposal planners we can help make your marriage proposal picture perfect. Plan to do a photo tour with our Central Park photographer as part of your proposal–the two of you can take your time during a casual walk through the park’s gorgeous scenery. She won’t know that a photographer is discreetly capturing your day until the moment you get down on one knee!

If you love the classic polaroid feel, we can also help you find the most magical places in the park to place life-size polaroid photos that represent some of your favorite memories. Once she sees the photos, this is the perfect backdrop for you to express your emotions and pop the question.

Romantic Picnic

Dreaming of a picnic in the park? The Heart Bandits have experience planning New York proposals in public parks, including Central Park. We can set up a cozy blanket with lush rose petals, champagne, and photos of the two of you. If you want an intimate proposal in a place that feels serene and natural, she’ll love the thought you put into a romantic picnic in the park!

Serenading Music

If you’re dreaming of a proposal, but can’t imagine getting down on one knee without live music, there are plenty of options for serenading tunes in Central Park. Whether you’re looking for a string orchestra, an a cappella group, or a solo guitar player, The Heart Bandits can work with local musicians to find the best option that matches your relationship. As you stroll through Central Park and make your way to the location of your choice, a musician will begin playing a romantic song that strings together the heart of your proposal.

Gondola Ride on the Lake

The lake is one of the most beautiful places in Central Park and there are many ways to incorporate it into your proposal.  We offer a gondola ride on the lake so that you can have the romantic boat proposal you have always dreamed of.  Invite your friends and family to hold signs up on Bow Bridge that spell out, “Marry Me.”  We can also provide the sign and helpers if you are visiting NYC and don’t have family and friends nearby.

Central Park Flash Mob

If you want to propose in a very grand fashion, then a Central Park Flash Mob may be just what you are looking for.  We can supply any number of dancers and perform for your partner as they walk through the park.  Combine the beauty of the park with the arts for the ultimate proposal.

Hours & Information

Here is some more helpful information when planning to propose in Central Park.  The park is open from 6am to 1am. It can be a bit dark at night so you will want to keep that in mind.  Alcohol is prohibited in the park.

There you have it, everything you need to know to bring your Central Park proposal ideas to life.  If you’re planning a romantic Central Park proposal, contact The Heart Bandits! We have experience planning personalized New York proposals, and we can make sure your experience is everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Get started today!

Don’t forget to consider how you’ll store your engagement ring until the moment you pop the question. These thin engagement ring boxes are discreet and protective, so you can safeguard your diamond and keep the surprise in tact.

When proposing to your partner, you may want to propose with an engagement ring.  However, there are some circumstances when you may find yourself needing or wanting to propose without a ring.  If this happens to you, don’t despair. There are ways to pull of a beautiful romantic proposals even without having the ring on hand.

Photo courtesy of Chloe Moore Photography

Display The Proposal

The ring is often the focal point of a proposal, so if you are missing the ring, think up a proposal idea that will draw her attention elsewhere. One musician wrote out his proposal in the cover booklet of his new CD for his girlfriend to find. Ideas like this give her something unique to cherish in the moment when there isn’t a ring to go on her finger.  Once she says yes, explain that the ring is soon to follow. You just couldn’t wait to commit to her forever.  Another option is to propose using a billboard in Times Square or renting out trendy marquee lights to spell “Marry Me?”.

Offer An Alternative

Another alternative is to present her with something instead of the ring. Get down on one knee and ask for her hand in marriage.  Instead of presenting her with a ring though have another token of your affection. This can actually be a great way to bring a cute and original spin to your proposal that is truly unique to your relationship. Does she have a favorite flower, or another type of jewelry that she adores? The item you present can be anything, as long as it has a special meaning to the two of you.  But unless you know for sure that she doesn’t want an engagement ring, assure her one is on the way!

Present Something That Lasts

Proposing with something you can love and nurture together can also signify your commitment.  You could propose with a tree that you could plant together and watch it grow over the years.  Or maybe an adorable little puppy that you would raise together and enjoy for years to come. Another idea is to buy a bench or wall in a park or other area and write the proposal on that.

Focus On Each Other

You can also forgo giving her something entirely and make the moment just about the two of you, no distractions. This idea would probably work best if you are already planning on having a secluded, private proposal. Let yourselves just celebrate and enjoy your love and exciting future together without things or people breaking your attention from each other.  We can’t stress enough that once the emotion dies down, let her know that a ring will be on her finger shortly.

Use A Placeholder

If you do plan on buying an engagement ring in the future, you may want to propose with a placeholder.  You could buy an inexpensive heart or love ring.  You could even make your partner a ring out of something special.  We also had a client propose using a blueprint of the ring because he did not have it in time.

With Words

A musical proposal is a great way to propose without a ring.  Hire a songwriter to write a proposal song and then have it performed for her when you propose.  If you have musical abilities, you could write or sing the song yourself.  Maybe you are good with expressing yourself?  If so, you could propose with a poem or a heartfelt later.  You could frame those words for a keepsake.

Make A Donation

If your partner has a cause close to her heart, consider donating to that cause.  Imagine how she will feel when you tell her that instead of spending thousands of dollars on a ring, you donated it to her passion project.

Do Something Crazy

For the truly adventurous couple, consider this marriage proposal idea without a ring!  Choose something epic and propose by getting matching tattoo rings!  A tattoo ring can never be lost and it will last forever!

Have you suddenly found yourself ring-less for your proposal and are scrambling for what to do? Don’t panic! Contact the proposal experts at The Heart Bandits today and let us help you figure out the best proposal possible for you and your beau, no matter what setbacks you may have come across. Our wedding proposal planners take care of the details so that you can focus on your big moment.

Wondering why you would want to propose without a ring?  Read more here.

Proposing to the love of your life is some serious business. It’s not only hard coming up with proposal ideas but executing them as well. In order to help you with your engagement planning, expert wedding proposal planners, The Heart Bandits, have put together a list of decoration ideas for a perfect proposal to your loved one.  

Where Will You Propose?

One of the first things you need to figure out before you even think about how you will decorate your proposal space is where will you propose?

Hotel Room Vs Home

When deciding what decorations for a wedding proposal you will use, you will first want to determine if you are going to propose at home or if you are doing it at a hotel or even another private space.  Why does it matter?  Well, if you are doing the proposal in your home, then there aren’t going to be any restrictions.  However, if you are looking for hotel decorations for your proposal, many venues have restrictions on what can be done inside the room.

For example, many places won’t allow dark colored petals as they can stain the floor.  Due to the fire code, a lot of places are not going to allow open flame candles.  There are many venues that do not want you to use glass for safety concerns.  If you want to have the best room decorations for your proposal, you are going to want to do your diligence and make sure that you know what you can and cannot do.

Indoor Vs Outdoor

Another consideration when determining the decoration ideas for your proposal is if you are decorating inside or outside.  If you are decorating inside, there is a lot less to worry about.  When decorating outside, you are going to have to do a lot more planning.  While planning to set up your proposal decorations outside, you want to make sure you have permission from whoever owns the space if it is not privately owned.  If the proposal will be at a park, ask the parks department; at the beach, ask the city or whoever owns the beach. But in general, you shouldn’t assume you can just set up proposal decorations without asking.

The next thing to consider is wind and rain.  While we don’t recommend letting rain ruin your proposal day, wind can do a whole lot of damage to your proposal that you might not think about.  For instance, picture that you have your beautiful path of rose petals set up to form an aisle leading to your initials and then WHOOSH, a huge gust of wind comes by and blows it all away.  Or you have a bunch of signs on easels displayed perfectly and just as you walk up, wind blows it all over.  So you are going to want to know the location and then plan for wind if it is a factor.

Reasons To Use Proposal Decorations

You may be wondering, why do I even need to decorate my proposal area?  Well, you don’t have to, but there are a couple of reasons you may want to.

Add Romance

The most obvious reason to decorate your proposal area is to create a romantic ambiance.  A bedroom can look completely difference once decked out with candles and rose petals.  A large room looks impressive with 4 foot marquee lights that “I Love You.”  So if you want to take your proposal from meh to wow, consider thinking of the best decorations for your marriage proposal.

Add Personalization

A not so obvious reason you may want to decorate the space is so that when your partner looks at the proposal, they feel it is personalized to them.  We want your partner to say, “Wow, this was meant just for me.”  Adding her favorite flower, framed photos of you and him, or having the lyrics to your favorite song printed are all ways to make them feel special.

Looks Great In Photos

If you plan on posting your proposal on social media, then proposal decorations will look amazing.  Just be sure to read our article on how to shame proof your marriage proposal.

Common Types of Proposal Decorations

Lights & Candles

Using string twinkle lights is a classic way to set the mood before you pop the question. Combine them with a beautiful starry evening, and you’ll have an amazing, engagement-worthy night.  Adding LED candles is also a great way to create an ambiance if you’re creating a proposal idea on a budget.  EXPERT TIP: Don’t forget to make sure that when you order your proposal lighting, you make sure you buy any batteries you need and you test everything out before hand.  

Flowers

Add their favorite flowers to your proposal for a sentimental touch. Use the petals to draw out a giant heart, scatter them around the room, or have a giant, beautiful bouquet. EXPERT TIP: Don’t forget to read our wind warning from above.  Flowers can be amazing but can also be a lot of hassle.

Pictures

Adding pictures is another super affordable way to create nostalgia. Pick their favorite ones of the two of you together as a couple. Set up the pictures to guide them to the proposal spot, as if it’s a walk down memory lane before beginning a new adventure.

Proposal Trends

Since we do plan more than 1,o00 proposals a year now, we are pretty versed in all of the proposal trends of 2019.  What is trending right now in terms of the best decoration for proposals?

Spelling Your Proposal

It seems like every scroll on Instagram will have you passing by big bright white letters that spell out “Marry Me.”  This is a huge trend right now and we think it is here to stay for now.

Photography & Videography

A trend that never really seems to get old is to add a proposal photographer and videographer to your special day.  If you put all that effort and energy into using amazing proposal decorations, you are going to want to capture it on camera.  This way you can enjoy the memory forever.

Donating Materials

Another trend that we LOVE is that after the proposal, they are donating their flowers to hospitals and other organizations. Definitely consider that and show your partner how caring you can be.

How Can The Heart Bandits Help?

Decorations can really set the mood for your engagement. So if you’re looking for more elaborate decor for your proposal, contact us! We specialize in creating detailed and personalized proposal ideas and can help you execute your proposal so you shine in the spotlight. Don’t forget to purchase a flat ring box from www.ringstash.com to hide the ring!  

Looking for more? Check out our article How to Use Decorations in a Marriage Proposal.

If you are a high profile figure like many of our clients or even if you are just a guy worried about your public perception, this article is for you.  So many guys worry that their proposal won’t be grand enough.  But it seems like now you also have to worry, can the proposal seem too grand?  Travel blogger Laura G was recently proposal shamed on Instagram by a bunch of followers who felt her ring was too big to be true and for how grand the proposal was.   Can you even believe that there are now wedding shamers out there that will shame your marriage proposal?   Or engagement ring shamers to shame your engagement ring?  Her boyfriend, Dhar Mann, chose a week long scavenger hunt because Laura already know the proposal was coming but she didn’t know how.  We at The Heart Bandits think Dhar did an amazing job.  Gorgeous ring, check!  Insanely romantic proposal marriage proposal at the Eiffel Tower with gorgeous candles and a string quartet, check!  So how did her proposal still end up getting shamed?  There is only so much you can do because haters love to hate, but we have put together some tips on how to shame proof your marriage proposal.

Set A Budget

When you are trying to come up with proposal ideas for her, set a budget for the proposal and then stick to it.  It is easy to go down the Instagram and Pinterest rabbit hole and keep adding more and more expenses to your marriage proposal concept.  However, the more and more you add just for the sake of adding, the more the proposal could come off as inauthentic or showy. Save your money and reduce the potential for proposal shaming by sticking to your proposal budget.

Plan The Proposal For Her

One of the biggest ways to get proposal shamed is to plan the marriage proposal hoping to impress someone else.  We have had people come to us with big plans in their minds to get their proposals to go viral, to be shared by influencers, to be featured on TV, etc.  We are not saying any of that is bad, but what we are saying is that if you start planning your proposal for other people, you open yourself up to getting proposal shamed.  And more importantly, you start to lose focus of the true meaning of a marriage proposal which is finding the person you love and that you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Make It Truly Personalized

If you follow my last tip when creating your proposal ideas for her, then creating a proposal concept that is truly personalized should be easy.  When an Internet troll is looking online to shame someone, it is harder to do when they see a proposal that is not just showy and glitzy, but one that is filled with unique and personalized elements that are truly special to the both of you.   A proposal featuring fireworks, expensive cars, helicopters, and flash mobs is more susceptible to criticism that a person is just trying to have a flashy proposal.  But a proposal that is indoors with warm lighting, handwritten notes, or you playing a song you wrote for her is much less likely to attract negative attention.  Again, we think ALL of these proposal ideas are great, but we are focusing on how to shame proof your marriage proposal here.

Intimate Proposal vs Public Proposal

If being proposal shamed is a concern, you might be wondering if you should have an intimate, indoor marriage proposal or a public, outdoor marriage proposal.  To be honestly the shaming normally happens online where people feel the most brave to say negative things.  So neither location will likely have a big influence on whether or not your proposal is shamed by the public.  However, if you propose outdoors in a public setting, then there is a higher chance that someone you didn’t authorize to will be taking photos and they could post those photos to start an unwanted conversation or shaming session.  This is particularly important for our high profile client’s that really want to make sure they are able to manage their image.

Avoid Oversharing

If you are worried about proposal shaming, you may consider not sharing photos on any social media.  If you are going to post your marriage proposal pictures online, you might want to change your settings so that only your true friends can see or comment. You may even wish to disable the commenting entirely.  Another option is to monitor the comments and delete any negative comments since those can spread like wildfire.

When you propose to your partner, you want the proposal planning experience to be stress-free for her from the beginning until the end.  But some people don’t even think about how much stress it could cause your partner if she is proposal shamed on social media.  Reading these tips on how to shame proof your marriage proposal has hopefully helped you think through some of the things you might not have otherwise thought about when planning your special day.

How Can The Heart Bandits Help?

If you want to make sure your marriage proposal has just the right amount of flash but not too much that you end up being the talk of Instagram, contact The Heart Bandits today.  We will take your proposal from meh….to WOW!!!  Here are some reasons you might want to hire a Proposal Planner to help you shame proof your proposal:

• You are a public figure and want the feedback and guidance of a professional
• You need help creating and sticking to a proposal budget
• You need just the right balance of flash and personalization in your proposal

Also, don’t forget to think about how you will hide your engagement ring on your proposal day.  Check out our flat ring boxes at ringstash.com.

Proposal Planning: The Heart Bandits
Photography: Paris for Two Photography

As an owner of The Heart Bandits, I’ve come across almost every type of question about marriage proposals.  We get the typical questions about how to propose in a romantic ways.  We also get the more extravagant ones like how to propose at a public concert.  One of the most common questions I tend to see though is How To Include Family Into Your Proposal.

I totally get it and I think it’s great!  While there are those couples that want to have their marriage proposals only include themselves, there are many other couples that have very strong ties to their family.  They therefore want to make sure that their family is either watching them pop the question or somehow directly involved.  At the very least they usually want them to be nearby so they can celebrate with them after.

Since we’ve been in this business a long time I do think there are many things to keep in mind if you’re considering incorporating your family into your engagement.

Perks of Having Family There

There are many perks to having family at your marriage proposal.  Obviously if you are very close to your family and they love your partner, this almost seems like a no-brainer.  In these cases, if you have your family at your proposal, they will get to experience the joy that you experience when your partner says yes!

The family can even help you come up with a perfect proposal idea!  Imagine that you are stuck and can’t figure out the perfect way to propose.  At this point, using her family as a resource is a great option!  Maybe they can tell you about the way she envisioned she would get proposed to when she was a little girl.  You can then recreate that fantasy for her with your real proposal.

Additionally, we’ve often seen that if family is involved then they’ll want to help one way or another.  This can either mean helping financially by taking care of some aspect of the proposal like the decorations, photos, or food or just by being there as an emotional support system.  Either way, they can be a great resource to lean on when you’re getting nervous on the day-of or need help with an element.

Dangers of Having Family Involved

Now don’t think that there are no pitfalls with having family there.  There are two main concerns that we’ve seen that you need to keep in mind.

The first is that family may interject into your proposal plan in a way that you may not like.  Imagine for instance that you think you have the perfect proposal idea and you want your family there.  You tell them your proposal idea but they are not thrilled about it.  They tell you that they all think you should do it in a different way that you don’t want to do it in.  How much of a bummer would that be?!

The second is that they’ll most likely know your proposal plan.  In this case there is more of a chance that they’ll somehow spill the beans and tip off your partner.  They may not even say it directly but if they somehow act differently around your partner, then that may throw her off and alert her spidey-sense that something is about to happen.

No matter how much you love your family, you definitely need to ask yourself early on should you have family in your proposal.  If the answer is yes, then consider the options below.

Surprise Proposals with Family

If you want to have a surprise marriage proposal this is one of the most important parts of your engagement plan.  Having family involved makes it a little more difficult to keep a surprise.  If they manage to keep it a secret, then it will be really awesome because they’ll enjoy being a part of it so much.  In our opinion, it’s best to keep as much of the details of your proposal plan to yourself as possible.  If you want family to be watch, maybe just tell them where they need to be at and at what time.  If you don’t tell them much else, then they’ll experience the surprise as much as your partner.

Examples of Proposals Ideas that Include Family

Family Proposals at Home

If family is really important to you, then having your proposal at home makes a lot of sense.  You can even tell your partner that family will be coming over so that she thinks it’s a typical family gathering.  You can then have beautiful proposal decorations, a musician singing your song, or a video slideshow playing when she arrives and you proposal.  The fact that your family is there will only make it more special and you can all celebrate together.

Another option is possible if your partner has family that lives far away.  Create the surprise of a lifetime by inviting them over!  After your proposal your partner will be in total shock that her beloved grandmother that she hasn’t seen in 10 years is there!

Hiding Spot for Family

Many of our clients that want family around tend to want them close by but not actually circling around during the actual proposal moment. In these instances, it’s best to have a proposal where there is a hiding spot for them.  Check out venues that have easy hiding areas for family.  Some examples of venues we’ve worked with include halls with lofts where family has hid upstairs or beaches and parks that have plants and bushes that family can hide behind.  These options have the benefit that they can see it all happening realtime and then immediately pop out after to come congratulate you two!

Cover Story

If your proposal venue doesn’t have good hiding area then an option you may want to consider is not having your family hide at all.  Instead, they work with you by using a cover story.  Say for example, you have rented a private room at a restaurant and have it completely decked out with decorations for your proposal.  Tell your family about it and they can tell your partner that they were the ones that made the dinner plans.  They can even play it off more so by pretending to be running late.  Your partner will think nothing of it and will just assume it’s a regular family gathering.  She’ll be completely shocked when she finds out that you orchestrated the entire thing and managed to incorporate her family.

Watching from Camera, or Live Stream

There are a couple of other options if there is no good hiding place and you don’t want family at the actual proposal location.  The first is you can have a camera setup in the room and a video feed show up in a control room where the family can be watching it happen live.  Similarly, if your family lives far away, you might consider live streaming your proposal so that all your family members from around the world can watch as it’s happening.

How Can The Heart Bandits Help?

If you want to know how to include family into your proposal or another kind of unique proposal idea with your family, make sure to contact the proposal experts at The Heart Bandits.  We have helped over 3,000 clients in over 9 years pop the question with style.  Here are some reasons you might want to hire a Proposal Planner to help you plan a proposal that includes your family:

• You want to ensure that the proposal goes very smooth in front of your family and friends
• You need help creating a proposal idea that is unique and truly represents your relationship
• You don’t have the time or the resources to plan the proposal idea you love
• You need help figuring out how to get all of the family involved without blowing the secret
• You want the family and friends to feel included but you are not sure how involved they should be
• You are worried your family might takeover the proposal and you will lose your voice