Recently I found out about this couple in the UK where the woman proposed to the man on Leap Day, February 29th, but not only that, she also had the wedding planned in secret for the same day. While I applaud their relationship for being able to be adventurous, I disagree that not having a proposal and wedding the same day is a good idea. I believe it’s best to have a planned proposal and a period of your engagement for these reasons.

No Time to Celebrate the Proposal

One of the best outcomes of your proposal is that you can celebrate with all your loved ones. Michele and I had an engagement party after we got engaged and it was so much fun. You get to tell your
proposal story and just enjoy the moment.

No Engagement Period

The engagement period is nice because you’ve been in a relationship and now you’re engaged getting ready for the next step of married life. It’s nice because you’re taking your relationship forward along a nice and smooth transition. You’re not jumping into a huge step with nothing in-between.

No Wedding Planning Time

Planning a wedding that is custom to both your personalities and your relationship takes a lot of work, time, and input from both sides. If you have your wedding the same day as your proposal you will not have time for that. Also, deciding on invitees is a big decision and you don’t want to leave out anyone you want to be there so you really should take your time with this step.

Lots of Pressure

Getting married is a big step, so imagine agreeing to marry someone and then having the wedding the same day. That’s a lot of pressure for someone to have.

Creating a perfect marriage proposal can be difficult to pull off by yourself. We are here to help though and are experts at every type of proposal. We can give you proposal ideas or help you with the coordination and planning of your perfect marriage proposal. Contact us Today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.  If you are ready to have a New York pop-up wedding, check out Pop The Knot!

Ok great!  Now I have the song “Streets of Philadelphia” in my head.  So anyway, back to the subject at hand, this week is all about the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia.  What a great city to propose in right?  So when you are planning on proposing in Philadelphia, you are going to need to know where to propose in Philadelphia.  Here are some perfect engagement locations for you:

JFK Plaza

This is where the famous LOVE  sculpture is located in Center City and is the perfect place to propose. However, don’t just be like everyone else and take your partner there and propose.  Create an exciting way to get them there that is unique and relevant to your relationship.

The Swann Memorial Fountain

Located in Logan Square, this fountain can make a beautiful backdrop to your engagement.  Make sure you hire a Proposal Photographer to get some great shots of your engagement in front of this stunning proposal location.  Documenting the proposal is one of the most important parts of a proposal.

Morris Arboretum

Flowers are very romantic so why not propose at the arboretum?  Again, you should think about a way to creatively propose once you get there.

Blue Cross RiverRink

A quaint ice skating rink is always a great idea for a winter proposal.  And Philly has some real winters!  I think it would be especially cool to propose on the ice skating rink if it is snowing outside.

If you want to create the perfect proposal hire a Philadelphia Proposal Planner. We are Proposal Experts and have a passion for proposal planning. We will create an original proposal concept and then execute the idea for you.  Contact us Today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.

So St. Patrick’s Day is a little more than a week away and though that date is not typically associated with romance, it has ample opportunity for you to create a connection between you and your loved one. I’m not even remotely of Irish descent but I love this day because everyone seems to be in festive spirit and there’s lots of fun to be had. For today’s
Romance Tip from The Heart Bandits we will be giving you ideas for romance that you can create with your partner for St. Patrick’s Day.

Spend the Day at the Park Looking for 4-Leaf Clovers

It’s always the little and simple things that seem to have the most impact in a relationship. This is especially true when it comes to romance. Since this St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday, take your sweetie to a park where you two can lay out and look for 4-Leaf Clovers. Take a sandwich, a blanket, and of course something green. It will be great way to have quality time together and enjoy each other’s company.

Send Your Sweetie Some Green Flowers

Last month, red roses were the big seller. People (and especially men) seem to forget that there are other flowers besides red roses. For St. Patrick’s Day, do something unique by bringing your partner some green flowers. Some good ones that could be mixed in with white flowers are carnations, poms, monte casinos, and lilies.

Take Irish Dance Lessons

I don’t know about you but those river dancers look like they’re in the zone. For this St. Patrick’s Day get in the spirit of things by taking Irish Dance lessons together. It’s more fun and entertaining that traditional ballroom dance and it will give you a workout.

Irish Food and Live Music

If all else fails, you still can’t go wrong by having a fun time together by enjoying Irish food with the music at a pub. Enjoy a green beer and some potato pancakes. At the end of the night, go home and have some Irish coffee as you wind down and relax together.

If you would like more great romance ideas , then contact us TODAY. We are romance experts and can help you bring that spark in your relationship that you’ve been looking for.

This week Marvin and I are actually planning a proposal in Philadelphia this week.  What a great city!  But with a great big city are great big challenges.  On Thursday we will be providing you with some Philadelphia Proposal Ideas.  So staying with that theme, The Heart Bandits want to give you proposal tips on how to propose in a major city.

Decide If You Want a Public or Private Proposal

This is one of the first things you should consider when proposing in a major city because in a big city, you have to work a lot harder to find privacy. Intimate proposals are possible, but just take a little bit more thought and planning.   On the flip side, if you do want to pull off a public proposal, it can be much easier to pull off in a big city.

Public Proposal Help

As I mentioned, if you are trying to have a public proposal it will be a lot easier to pull off in a big city.  The reason is because there are a lot more people in the city and therefore there are a lot more volunteers available to help out.

Ease of Transportation

Yes, traffic can be awful in big cities.  However, most major cities have public transportation such as subways that make it easy to get from Point A to Point B.

Expensive

If you aren’t from a major city but are planning on proposing there, you should be mindful that big cities are a lot more expensive than small towns.  You will need to keep that in mind when budgeting.

If you want to create the perfect proposal hire a Proposal Planner. We are Proposal Experts and have a passion for proposal planning. We will create an original proposal concept and then execute the idea for you.  Contact us Today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.  We also work with a fabulous Proposal Photographer.

A man named Joe Ferrari came up with a very unique and creative idea on how to propose to his girlfriend Laurie. We get a lot of people that want to use some sort of sign when they are proposing. Sometimes it’s hard to put a personal touch on it though but Joe came up with the perfect way to do it.

Joe took Laurie on a drive in their town of Rochester, NY. To her, it seemed like a perfectly normal day so that is why the proposal was a complete surprise to her. As they were driving, Joe pretended that the car was having mechanical trouble and pulled over. At the side of the road, he walked her over to a spot where he had a perfect view of a billboard that was customized for him to have his proposal. It read “Laurie, Will you marry me?”. And not only that, there was a picture of their 20-month-old son, Louis, with a caption reading “Mom, Please marry Dad.” It was a perfect way to integrate something in their relationship and make it completely personalized to them. Having their toddler on the billboard made it extra cute as well. Laurie of course said yes and now the town will know about their happy news because Joe will modify the billboard for the next month to reflect their new engagement. Well done Joe!

Creating surprise and personalized marriage proposals can be difficult to pull off by yourself. We are here to help though and are masters at creating surprise public proposals in addition to intimate romantic proposals.  The Heart Bandits can provide you proposal ideas or help you with the coordination and planning of your perfect marriage proposal. Contact us Today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.

On the premiere of the Orange County Housewives, the girls are shown at Vicky’s house sipping cocktails as usual. One of the girls mentions how she didn’t really love her fiancé’s marriage proposal which took place in the Bahamas. The new feisty housewife Heather jumped in to say she didn’t really like her wedding proposal that happened on her first class plane ride to Paris. Why are these women unsatisfied with proposals that seem simply perfect?

One might argue that it is because they are pretentious snobs and can’t be pleased. While that may be true, there are many surveys out there showing as many as 80% of women are dissatisfied with their proposals. Although I know many people are going to say that if a woman cares how she is proposed to then she is just not worth marrying, but I disagree. There is nothing wrong with having hopes about way you are proposed to. I believe the reason most people are unsatisfied with their proposal is because the proposer focuses too much on where to propose vs. how to propose. And the “how to propose” is the thing women are not satisfied with. Here are some tips on creating the perfect proposal from the #1 Proposal Planners in the world:

Decide “How” Before You Decide “Where”

Often people decide to propose somewhere amazing like the Bahamas or Paris and then they try to come up with the proposal concept. In reality, the location of the proposal should be built around the proposal idea, not reversed. Once you already have your trip booked to Fiji, you may realize that there is nothing in Fiji that is relevant to your relationship or something that represents you as a couple.

Make the Proposal Idea Personal

Don’t just come up with a really cool proposal. It needs to be something personal that signifies your relationship or tells a cohesive story about your love. That is how you guarantee your significant other will be happy with the proposal. If you need help starting, think about how you met, where you first said I love you, etc.

Have a Plan

Once you have the perfect proposal idea, then you should start to plan it out. You could hire Proposal Planners to help you, or you can do it on your own. If you do it on your own, put the idea down on paper and then begin to figure out the logistics behind it. Think about where you will propose, what the weather may be like, what vendors you need to accomplish the task, and write it all down. Your partner will be able to tell that you put in a lot of prep work into the proposal.

Document the Proposal

Unless your proposal isn’t good or you are afraid she will say no, make sure you document the proposal. If you don’t want to blow the bank on hiring a professional photographer and videographer, then at least have your friends or even a stranger take pictures. A story is great, but there is a reason why people say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Keep these tips in mind and you won’t be the topic of discussion during your fiancé’s own housewives party!

Houston is a great city to propose in for a variety of reasons. Being that it is the 4th largest city in the United States, it a very vibrant city that has a little bit of everything. If you decide to pop the question in this great city, you need to figure out where to propose in Houston.  Wherever you decide to propose, make sure to have a proposal photographer on-site in order to capture the moment forever.  Now let’s get started on talking about the 10 Best Houston Proposal Ideas.

• Discovery Green Park

We do a lot of marriage proposals here because the park spans over 11 acres and there is just so many places where you can propose.  Check out the proposal we planned there featuring a string quartet Flash Mob.  I love the this area because it reminds me of Literary Walk in Central Park.

• Williams Waterwall

This looks so amazing in pictures as you can see below.  Imagine seeing your proposal photographs with that in the background!  Hire a Proposal Planner to help you think of a personalized and unique way to get your partner to the Williams Waterwall for your proposal.

• Rose Garden in Hermann Park

Nothing says romance and love like roses so why not propose at the rose garden in Hermann Park?  If the rose garden isn’t your thing there are many other options like an outdoor theater, the Lake Plaza, and the Japanese Gardens.

• McGovern Centennial Gardens

Like the Rose Garden, these gardens are also located in Hermann Park.  I love this area so much because it totally gives off Paris vibes.  You can set up a simple picnic and pop the question on the most stunning of grounds.  Or you can propose on top of the mount with views of the garden below.

• Houston Arboretum

This makes our list every year because it is the perfect proposal location for any budget.  If you don’t want to do anything elaborate, there are many different areas where you can just drop to your knee and propose with the perfect nature backdrop.  However, they also rent out space if you want to hire our expert Wedding Proposal planners to create a once-in-a-lifetime proposal.

• Buffalo Bayou Park

We absolutely love Buffalo Bayou Park as a proposal location because there are so many gorgeous places to propose. You could propose with a picnic or drop to your knee on the beautiful pedestrian bridge shown below.

• Clear Lake or Galveston Bay

Whether you just use the glistening water as a backdrop for your proposal or you actually propose on a boat in the middle of the lake, this could be an ideal place to propose in Houston.

• James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace

This is such an amazing proposal location.  There is a light show everyday (except Tuesdays), beginning 10 minutes before sunrise and sunset which can be a great opportunity to propose.  Do keep in mind that you are not allowed to use a camera during the light show so if photos of your proposal is super important then you will want to wait until the show is over to propose.

• Houston Zoo, Reflection Pool

If your honey is an animal lover then the Houston Zoo can be a great place in Houston to propose.  We absolutely love the Reflection Pool inside.  The trees that arch over the water are stunning and the reflection of lights off of the water totally create a proposal mood.  Your partner will definitely want to say yes!

• Spindletop Restaurant

For those of you looking for a more traditional proposal, check out Spindletop Restaurant.  The restaurant is Houston’s only revolving restaurant and offers 360-degree city views.  Call the restaurant in advance and see if you can set up something special for your proposal. If a restaurant proposal isn’t your thing, at least celebrate your proposal here. It is too nice to not include.

If you are looking for the perfect Houston proposal ideas or if you already have a great idea but need help planning, The Heart Bandits can help. The Heart Bandits are Engagement Proposal Experts and have a passion for proposal planning. We will create an original proposal concept and then execute the idea for you.  Contact us Today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.

If you are the type of person that loves romance and trying new things with your sweetie, then you know that sometimes it gets hard to think of new things after you’ve been together for a while. That’s why we love helping you think of new and fun date ideas that you can incorporate into your relationship immediately. Today’s Romance Tip From The Heart Bandits gives you things you can try right away to get out of the old dinner-and-movie routine.

Try a New Sport Together

Now this doesn’t have to be anything crazy and too competitive. A simple game of Frisbee at the park will be a fun game to play with your loved one. You can also go back to your childhood and try playing hide-and-seek to enjoy that nostalgic feeling in your relationship. If you do want to try something crazy, Michele and I do CrossFit together and it’s completely fun because we love cheering each other on and having a little friendly competition. If you try this don’t complain when you have incredibly sore muscles that you never knew existed.

Taste an Unfamiliar Cuisine

Since I met Michele I have tried some new dishes and I’m so happy that I have. One in particular that she introduced me to is Peruvian. We both love it and it’s awesome that we tried it together. Sure, getting some dinner at your favorite location is great, but how will you know that you’re not missing out on anything without trying it?  Some cuisines that you may want to consider if you haven’t already are Peruvian, Cuban, Jamaican, and Argentinean.

Do Something Scary Together

By scary I don’t mean walking down a scary alley. I mean trying something that is an adrenaline rush but is relatively  safe. Anything that has to do with heights such as skydiving, zip-lining, and bungee jumping are activities that will get your heart pumping and give you an adventure that you will not forget.

If you would like more great date ideas, then contact us TODAY. We will help you with new and creative date ideas, romantic gifts, anniversaries, and the planning and execution of elaborate dates that will be sure to make you have the time of your life and create a new experience for your relationship.

On Valentine’s Day this year The Heart Bandits Proposal Planners had an opportunity to coordinate a very nice wedding proposal for a very nice gentleman named Justin. It was one of those proposals that had a lot of moving parts but it turned out just perfect and very touching.

Justin came to us and said that he wanted to completely surprise his girlfriend and wanted to do a public proposal. He was not a dancer by any means but wanted to do some kind of performance before he got on bended knee. Knowing this we helped him come up with the perfect proposal scenario that would leave her completely surprised and touched.

Justin took his girlfriend to dinner at Fleming’s Steakhouse in LA Live. While he was there, The Heart Bandits were secretly gathering at the Nokia Plaza area of LA Live prepping his surprise marriage proposal. We had enlisted the help of several volunteers to support this proposal and to our surprise many more people on the spot wanted to help. Maybe it was the love in the air because it was Valentine’s Day but their willingness to help made the event even more elaborate.

At approximately 9pm that night after they finished dinner, Justin walked with his girlfriend to the Nokia Plaza area. Justin told her that he had to go to the restroom so he told her to wait in the plaza as he ran off. As she stood there she noticed a crowd of people gathered near the center of the plaza. One of the women from the crowd walked towards her holding a large sign. As she approached, she flipped the sign over to reveal a picture of her and Justin during one of their vacations. Another person from the crowd walked up to her with another sign. He flipped it over and it had a saying that read “Our first date was at the Promenade and it was raining”. Another person walked by and gave her a beautiful red rose. Three more people with signs walked up with signs that had more pictures of them and they started forming a circle around her. Another three people approached and flipped over their signs that had said “You are smart, humorous, and a great dresser”, “When you laugh & smile it makes my heart melt”, and “We have similar thoughts and dreams”. Another 6 people then walked up to her with flowers and handed them to her. At this point she knew that Justin was up to something and couldn’t wait to see what it was because the anticipation was so high. Justin had made his way back from hiding and after the last person gave her the flower, the crowd then made an opening for him and as he appeared he did a small but very cute dance for her. He dropped to one knee and proposed to her. She of course said yes and the crowd cheered them on.

It was a very romantic proposal and Justin was so happy and grateful for the perfect execution by his Proposal Planners. He managed to surprise her, have the proposal in public, and do his dance. Well done Justin!

Creating surprise marriage proposals can be difficult to pull off by yourself. We are here to help though and are masters at creating surprise public proposals in addition to intimate romantic proposals. We can give you proposal ideas or help you with the coordination and planning of your perfect marriage proposal. Contact us Today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.

Today we have a special guest blog from Julia McCartney. She is a staff researcher and part-time writer and she’s wrote a great article for us today about Romantic Proposal Ideas for People over 50. Since so many of our clients are proposing later on in life or even proposing to a new partner, we thought this article is a great fit for our audience.  Enjoy!

Once you’re over 50, the idea of proposing via JumboTron or at a basketball game starts to seem a little too much. For those over 50 who think they’re ready to tie the knot – whether again or for the first time – here are five ways to propose that your more mature partner will appreciate.

1. Propose on a sailboat during a romantic vacation

With moonlight over the water, a bottle of champagne, and no one else in sight, what could be better?

2. Propose over a home-cooked candlelight dinner

Surprise your sweetie at home with a home-cooked meal and an engagement ring for dessert.

3. Propose during a picnic lunch

If you and your sweetheart love the great outdoors, plan a short hike and a picnic lunch on a sunny weekend. Surprise her with a ring inside the basket.

4. Propose by song

Have a good singing voice? Serenade your sweetheart at a restaurant or at karaoke night at your favorite neighborhood bar. Include your wedding proposal in the song.

5. Propose with the family

Proposals at Thanksgiving or Christmas might seem a little old-fashioned and boring compared to the suggestions above, but if your bride-to-be over 50 is a mature woman with children and close siblings, proposing with their support at a family event is often the most romantic thing you can do.

How Can The Heart Bandits Help?

Contact The Heart Bandits – Wedding Proposal Planners if you want to plan a romantic marriage proposal to your beloved.  We can come up with proposal concepts that were not designed for the millennial generation and can really express how much you care. Here’s how The Heart Bandits can help:

• Help you create the perfect proposal concept designed just for you and your partner.
• Bring your existing idea to life with our event planning experience.
• Save you time by taking all of the research and planning off your plate
• Access to all the perfect vendors needed to create the perfect proposal.
• Provide on-site coordination on the day of to make sure it all goes smoothly.

Julia McCartney’s passion for people, and romance has lead her to pursue a career in writing. At this time, Julia is working as a part-time writer for SeniorCare.net specializing in Senior Living Care options