As you know, The Heart Bandits is a family-run business which focuses on creating customer experiences for our clients.  Marvin and Michele are husband and wife and take pride in being “hands on” with every decision that is made within the company.  As a result, we love working with other family run businesses who believe that no two clients are the same and have the same needs.  That is why we are so excited to introduce to you Marlioff Fine Jewelry & Diamonds.  If you are in the Dallas or Atlanta area, you have to stop by and check out Mariloff ‘s collection of high-quality stones and handcrafted jewelry.   Some of their extraordinary pieces can also be viewed on their website at www.mariloff.com.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

Mariloff is a family-owned and operated jeweler handling all aspects of the diamond process since 1948.  As a young man in Israel, Mr. Arye Fozailoff developed a passion for the new industry of diamond cutting. He quickly learned the trade and founded Mariloff Diamond Wholesalers. Fozailoff’s sons, Josef and Moshe, joined him in the family business after they, too, learned the art of evaluating, diamond cutting, purchasing and craftsmanship. They are now on its third generation with son-in-law Rafi overseeing the diamond heritage, and their quality workmanship.

As a leading loose diamonds and fine jewelry wholesaler in Europe, Israel and the United States, Mariloff has acquired one of the most renowned names in the industry. From their own factory, they are able to deliver exquisitely cut diamonds that hold the highest ability to reflect light for over 65 years. They bypass distributors and retailers, thereby eliminating price mark-ups. Although technology has made grading easier, Mariloff prefers their tradition, which is to have diamonds graded by the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

FROM THEIR FAMILY TO YOURS

They are committed to upholding quality, value, integrity and unparalleled service with their vast selection and exceptional value. They will give you personal attention from a knowledgeable diamond consultant who is ready to guide and educate you in your search for the perfect diamond or jewelry statement.  They offer a large selection of loose diamonds, engagement & anniversary rings, wedding bands, eternity rings, precious gemstones and diamond fashion jewelry. They demand brilliance in each and every detail.

THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO LIKE IT; THEY WANT YOU TO LOVE IT.

 Only a few castings are created of each custom jewelry piece so that it insures every design is rare and special, yet they guarantee that if they don’t have something that satisfies your vision in their extensive library of renderings, their designers can create a piece unique to you. They can redesign old or damaged jewelry into a beautiful new piece as well. Their onsite workshop boasts state of the art technology, and can even assist if a piece needs to be done by laser precision. 

Marvin and I went to San Jose last month to do some proposal scouting. The largest city in Northern California, San Jose is a bustling metropolis that offers something for every way of life. If you’re a resident or a tourist looking for a perfect place to propose, San Jose is sure to have just the spot for you. We’ve gathered a few proposal ideas, just to get you started.

Religious

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph is the oldest non-mission parish in California. The church itself is a stunning edifice, built on the Greek Cross plan and filled with beautiful frescoes and stained glass windows. Whether you and your sweetheart are catholic, or just lovers of fine historical architecture, you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful space to propose in.

High Tech

What would a blog about San Jose Proposal Ideas be without a mention of a “techy” proposal?  The Tech Museum of Innovation is another example of awesome, if modern, architecture, and represents a geeky Silicon Valley paradise. If your girl is a nerd to the core, then this might be a lighthearted and fascinating place for a proposal. Spend some time programming robots and marveling at some of the displays, then find a unique and, well, innovative way to propose. The robot that spells out messages in alphabet blocks may be a good place to start.

Radiant

Roses are the symbol of romance in American culture, and you can’t get more romantic than the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden. Here hundreds of varieties of roses bloom in wide fields, bordered by parks, gardens and a historic orchard. This is an ideal location for an early summer picnic proposal, nestled among the fragrant blossoms.

Meditative

For a more contemplative nature experience, head for the Japanese Friendship Garden. This six acre park is a breathtaking masterpiece of landscaping and Eastern design, filled with gorgeous vistas and small, secret nooks. This is an ideal place for a quiet, private proposal, and there are a number of perfect spots in the park, from the low arched bridge over a rippled pool to the shade beneath a willow tree.

Considering proposing in San Jose, but still working out the details? Contact The Heart Bandits. They have the experience and the skills to guide you through the proposal planning process, guaranteeing that your proposal will live up to her dreams.  Contact us today.

This is the cutest proposal ever. Ani came to us because he wanted to plan a surprise proposal to Nina. Some of the information we learned from Ani during the interview process is that they have a lot of special memories traveling, and their special song is “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love For You.”  We combined that with details we found about Nina while snooping on her Pinterest page and came up with the beautiful proposal idea below.  Ani decided he wanted to do the proposal at home so that he could catch her off guard and really surprise her. After seeing how cute their house was, we happily agreed!  The couple has asked to keep the images of themselves private but we are happy to share the detail photos!

Ani and her puppy could hardly wait for Nina to get home.  When she came home from work, she immediately saw a rose petal path and metallic gold balloons. She heard the sweet sound of their favorite song being played and she saw him, the love of her life, who planned this all for her.

Ani lead her over to the beautiful miniature hot air balloons we had designed that said each place they had visited together.  Next to the balloons were her favorite metallic gold mason jars from her Pinterest page holding some of her favorite flowers.

As the quartet played on, Ani took Nina by the hand and proposed to her in the privacy of his own home.  Her puppies looked on wearing “Mommy, Say Yes” t-shirts, and yes, she did say.  We couldn’t be happier for the couple and we are honored Ani chose us to be a part of his special day.

Are you ready to begin planning your perfect proposal?  The Heart Bandits can help you plan your private, intimate proposal or your wild, over-the-top proposal.  Contact us today to get started.

Proposal Planning: The Heart Bandits

Photography: Michelle Able Photography

Florist: Always Floral

Quartet: Third Floor Strings

With technology so pervasive in the modern world, it seems important to stop and consider the possibilities for using it in your proposal. One of the most common elements of life today is film- and whether on silver screens or iphones, proposal videos are on the rise.  If you’re planning to use a video of some sort in your proposal, there are a few things that have to be considered carefully before you begin.

Style

What sort of proposal video are you planning? A cartoon? A silent film? A flashback sequence? A parody of your favorite movie or video game? A documentary? The style you choose will dictate the rest of your choices.

Staff

Finding the right person to help you put the video together is vital, unless you’re a cinematographer, director and editor. Rather than try to wing it all yourself, ensure that the final video is as great as your idea, and get some help from experienced professionals. Put together a short summary, script or sketch of what you want your video to look like, and use that as a guide as you choose the people who will help you make it a reality.  You can hire a proposal videographer right here!

Setting

How will you present the video? The possibilities are limitless, which means that you have to choose carefully. If you plan to propose in a movie theater, than it’s fairly obvious that you will show the video on the big screen. However, if you’re planning to propose in a less obvious setting, how will you make sure she gets to see- and appreciate- your video? Options include calling her over to the computer to watch a ‘random Youtube video’, hijacking the TVs in a public place, projecting the video on the side of a building, or practically anything else that you can think of. Choose wisely, because the way you present the video will set the mood for the entire proposal.

As you can see, there are a lot of variables at play in a proposal video, from the original premise all the way to the viewing. An experienced Proposal Planner will be your biggest ally as you iron out all of the details; they’ll be able to coach you through the creative process, and they can make sure you work with trustworthy and reliable professionals to bring your dream video to life.

Not sure where to start? Contact the Heart Bandits. They’ve got the experience and the expertise to put you on the right path, and will stick with you every step of the way throughout the creation of your proposal video.

Dating back to the 1860s, Central Park is the most iconic piece of green space in urban America. It’s lovely in any season, but spring is especially picturesque. The rolling green of the meadows and the fresh leaves on the trees make the crisp spring days glow with life, making Central Park a great location for a marriage proposal.   Even in the winter, it is a gorgeous place to propose!  The Heart Bandits offer three amazing opportunities to propose in Central Park, each with its own special take on the gorgeous urban landscape.

Photo Tour of Central Park

Rebecca Yale Photography

What would your sweetheart think of a scenic walking tour of Central Park? We can arrange a photo tour proposal of the area, visiting the most beautiful sites in the park with a knowledgeable guide. She won’t suspect that, somewhere around the bend, you’re planning to propose or that one of the other tourists in your group is really a photographer who has secretly been documenting your proposal!

Romantic Central Park Picnic

Perhaps you’d like to take your girl for a walk in the park. She certainly won’t expect anything but a beautiful stroll through a New York landmark, and when you stumble upon a perfectly laid romantic picnic she will be thrilled and amazed. Our Proposal Planners will help you choose the ideal spot for your proposal, and will arrange the romantic surprise so that all you have to do is arrive.

Central Park Carriage Ride

A New York carriage ride is a romantic way to spend some time together, taking in the sights while cuddling in the cushy seats. It may come as a surprise to your sweetheart, however, when the carriage takes a little detour from its usual tour, and brings you to a prearranged spot that is perfect for your marriage proposal. The Heart Bandits will arrange the tour, which will pass romantic sights such as Bethesda Fountain, Cherry Hill, and Bow Bridge, and then stop at a location of your choosing.

Are you ready to get started with a fabulous Central Park proposal?  If so, contact The Heart Bandits. They have years of experience, and know how to make sure that your marriage proposal is everything it can be.

I absolutely loved planning this marriage proposal that I am sharing with you today.  The thing I loved most about it is what I learned while I was interviewing my client in order to come up with a unique proposal idea.  Inder is madly in love with Richa and wanted to make sure she had a proposal she would never forget.  He knew that he wanted an amazing view of San Francisco for his proposal, he just didn’t know where to find one.  He also wanted to make sure he had a really unique concept.  While getting to know the couple through Inder, I learned her favorite movie is an Indian movie Veer Zaara.  I began to do research on the movie to see if it would make for a good proposal concept and did it ever.  Tere Liye is the main song from the movie and it means “for you” and the movie is a love story.  I am now dying to see this movie in it’s entirety!  When I presented the idea to Inder that we use the movie as the theme for his proposal, he was beyond excited.  Here is how it went down:

Inder told Richa they were going to go out to dinner but instead they went to a private room with beautiful views of the city.  When she walked in, she was completely blown away.  A beautiful banner was hung from the ceiling which said, “Tere Liye Richa Baby, Sab Kuch Tere Liye.”  There was a string quartet in the middle of the room playing the soundtrack from the movie.

Because her favorite color is pink, we had pink rose petals, flowers, and pink tinted mason jars with candles everywhere.  We displayed photos of the couple and set up a romantic table for two so they could celebrate once she said yes.  And boy did she ever say yes!  Check out these stunning photos from 555 Photography.  Congratulations Inder and Richa!  We wish you a lifetime of happiness.

If you are trying to come up with the perfect proposal idea, but you are having a hard time, contact The Heart Bandits.  Even if you have an idea and just need help executing it, we have you covered.  Contact us today!

Proposal Planning: The Heart Bandits

Florist: Plumweed Flowers

Photography: 555 Photography

Musician: The Arden Quartet

Photo by Maya Myers

The leaves are beginning to bud out on the trees and snowdrops and crocuses are peeking from the ground.  Springtime has arrived, and the season brings with it a sense of joy and anticipation as we look forward to the warm summer months.   Spring is the perfect season for a marriage proposal and we have collected some inspiration for spring proposal ideas.

Flower Viewing

A Japanese tradition, flower viewing is a wonderful way to take advantage of the mild weather and natural beauty of spring. Japanese cherry trees are covered with thousands of light pink flowers early each spring, turning them into an ethereally beautiful sight. For a true flower viewing, people often put together a picnic dinner and a bottle of something to drink, then enjoy their meal while watching the tiny flowers tumble to the ground. Japanese cherry tree orchards have been planted throughout the US, so all you need to do is find the spot and pick the moment.

Birdwatching

If your sweetheart is a nature lover, then this might be a great chance to sweep her off her feet with a display of nature’s majesty. Throughout spring, great migrations of birds take place, with thousands of different species and millions of individuals filling the skies. Depending on your location, you might choose to take her to watch millions of snow geese turn the sky white in Malheur, or to watch ruby throated hummingbirds miraculously appear over the horizon in droves after crossing the entire Gulf of Mexico without rest. Make sure that you plan your outing to coincide with the peak of the season, and wait until she’s been dazzled by the natural air show to pop the question.

Fine Dining

Spring isn’t just about enjoying the outdoors! This season ushers a whole new array of foods into the stores and restaurants, and after a long winter of squash, iceberg lettuce and underripe, imported fruit, this is your chance to wow her with a bounty of fresh foods. If you’re both gourmands, this is the perfect opportunity to put together a sumptuous feast of butter lettuce, snow peas, asparagus, wild mushrooms, local strawberries, and the other seasonal delights that are unavailable the rest of the year. She’ll be as thrilled with the effort you’ve put in as she is with the food, but she’ll be blown away when you bring out the ring.

If you want to have the perfect Spring proposal, contact The Heart Bandits. They have the expertise to help you arrange the perfect proposal, no matter what that may be.

Your proposal is one of the most important days of your life, and you both will remember it forever. But what if something goes wrong? We’ve gathered a few of the most important mistakes to avoid when planning your wedding proposal.

Winging It

You’re at the restaurant, the wine has arrived, the time has come- what are you going to say? Or, worse, you’re out on a date and you know you are going to propose, but you don’t have a proposal idea.  The problem here is a lack of planning. If you don’t consider the timing of your proposal and the words you will use ahead of time, you run the risk of your mind going blank at the crucial moment. The last thing you want is to let your proposal fall flat because of a poor choice of words or less-than-ideal timing.  Keep in mind, we aren’t suggesting you memorize what you will say ahead of time, just have a plan.

Not Creating A Budget

Even if you plan the location, the words, the ring and everything else to a tee, there’s another detail that’s easy to forget: the money. A proposal can be an expensive affair, between the ring, the restaurant, and any extra-special arrangements you might have made. Take the time to consider the costs ahead of time, and make sure that you have the cash set aside to cover everything. You want to be able to bask in your new engagement without next month’s credit card bill hanging over your head.

Forgetting Her

If you take her to your favorite restaurant, order your favorite drinks, and get the staff to play your favorite song on the radio while you propose with the ring from the jeweler you liked best, what could go wrong? Everything, actually. A dangerous trap that many men fall into is that they create the proposal of their dreams- not of their girlfriend’s dreams. It is worth spending some extra time and planning to make sure that you have arranged the details in a way that she will find special and wonderful, not just the way you think they should be.

Planning a proposal and want to make sure everything goes smoothly? Contact the Heart Bandits. They’ve seen all the mistakes one can possibly make, and they will ensure that your marriage proposal goes without a hitch, no matter what.  Contact us today!

A few months ago, we helped Santiago with his super sweet Houston Marriage Proposal.  He sent his brother Alberto over to us and, as you know, we get so super excited when we get to help a client that was referred to us by his family member.  Today we are excited to share with you Alberto’s proposal.  His proposal to Andrea was beautiful, simple, and sweet and they have to be one of the most adorable couples we have ever worked with!  What made this girl so happy?  Here is how it went down:

Alberto and Andrea were visiting New York City from Mexico.  Alberto suggested taking a walk through the iconic Central Park.  As they were strolling along, Alberto suggested they take a lesser known path.  Andrea happily agreed and when she rounded the corner, she was stunned by what she saw.  Alberto had arranged to have a romantic picnic setup for his marriage proposal!  To make it personal, we decorated the picnic in her favorite colors, purple and white.  We added photos of them together, as well as her favorite treats, macaroons!

Andrea’s reaction is the cutest we have ever seen.  Alberto walked her over to the picnic and she was just over the moon happy!  Alberto proposed and Andrea of course said yes.  The two celebrated with sparkling cider and macaroons.  Thank you for allowing The Heart Bandits to be a part of your special day.  We couldn’t be happier for you.

If you want a marriage proposal that will surely send her over the moon, contact The Heart Bandits today.  We have planned hundreds of proposals and have the perfect experience to ensure that your proposal goes off without a hitch.  Contact us today!

Proposal Planning: The Heart Bandits

Photography: Petronella Photography

It’s hard to think of a more appealing place to propose marriage than Paris, France. In fact, we are currently planning a proposal there right now which made me wonder why I haven’t written a blog post like this before! This historic city is picturesque no matter where you are, but there are some especially amazing proposal locations to be considered.  Here are our Top 5 Paris Proposal Ideas:

Eiffel Tower

This icon of Paris actually offers two options: you can propose at the top of the 1,063 foot tower and take advantage of the stunning vista for an amazing visual effect, or you can propose on the nearby Trocadero, which offers the best view of the iconic Paris skyline, with the Eiffel Tower front and center.  Make sure to add something personal to the proposal so it doesn’t sound like everyone else’s Eiffel Tower proposal story.

Louvre

While we recommend stepping inside the Louvre to enjoy the amazing collection of historic art, the courtyard is an amazing place to propose. The glass pyramid is a stunning architectural feature, and at night it is lit to create a fairy-tale glow- perfect for a twilight proposal after a day of absorbing art and fine French food.

Arc de Triomphe

This breathtaking memorial is at the very heart of Paris, with streets radiating out from it like spokes from a wheel. It is gorgeous by day and lit softly by night, offering a beautiful  and historic spot to make your own private piece of history. Due to its central location, this would be an ideal place for a proposal after a long day of walking the streets of Paris.  It can be crowded here so plan the timing accordingly.

Tuileries Garden

Once the playground of royalty, this stunning garden is a masterpiece of manicured forests, wide stone walkways, fountains and pools. The garden is laid out in a patchwork of water, flowers, forest and statues, making for a perfect place to stroll in pleasant weather. The best place to propose is at the end of the garden, which offers an overlook onto the Grand Palais, the Obelisque and the Seine.

Montparnasse Tower

Although this gigantic skyscraper is not much to look at from the ground, it is one of the best proposal spots in all of Paris- or, the top of it is. The Montparnasse Tower is 59 stories tall and looks over vast stretches of Paris, allowing you to look down into gardens and avenues by day, and out onto brightly lit streets and the sparkling Eiffel Tower at night. The view will take her breath away before you even have a chance to get the ring out.

Do you want to create a magical Paris proposal, but aren’t sure where to start? Contact the Heart Bandits. Just as we did with this Top 5 Paris Proposal Ideas list, we will guide you through the steps to make sure that every detail of your European getaway is perfectly arranged.  Contact us today for the perfect proposal.  Also, our clients are always asking us how to hide their bulky engagement ring box on the day they propose.  The answer is, buy a thin engagement ring box!! Ring Stash, www.ringstash.com offers a .5 inch thick ring box that will help you keep your proposal a secret until you are ready to reveal it.