Where to Propose in Los Angeles

Marvin and I are proud to call Los Angeles home.  The traffic is bad albeit, but the 70-80 degree weather year round makes up for it.  If you are like us and you love Los Angeles, then why not propose in LA?    As the #1 Wedding Proposal Planners we thought we should let you in on where to propose in Los Angeles.  You can also check out our All Inclusive Los Angeles Proposal Packages here.

Naples

Naples is a small community in Long Beach that is built to look similar to Venice, Italy. Hop in a gondola to propose or pop the question on one of the many bridges around the area that overlook the canals.

Mount Hollywood

I often recommend Mount Hollywood as a place to propose in LA because it has amazing views of the city, the Hollywood sign, and the famous Griffith Observatory.  If you love hiking you could plan a hiking style proposal.  Get really adventurous and ride a horse to the top for your proposal. The Huntington Botanical Gardens

This is a great place to propose because you can make a whole day of it.  You can bring your partner there thinking you are just a regular visitor.  Enjoy the artwork and the history, and then go back to the amazing botanical gardens to pop the question.

On the Beach

Los Angeles is filled with beaches for you to choose from.  Malibu is one of my favorites!  Come up with a cool proposal concept that ties in your private memories and love stories and then create that concept at the beach.  Hire a Southern California Proposal Planner to help you pull it off!

Hire The Heart Bandits to help you come up with the best proposal idea and location. We are experts in the field of marriage proposal ideas and planning and take care of every last detail for you.  It is difficult to sneak around to buy the engagement ring and plan the proposal, so let us help. Contact The Heart Bandits to get started on making your dream proposal come true.

Michele

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Romance Tip of the Week – Quick but Sweet Romantic Gestures

As a Romance Consultant at The Heart Bandits, I often get asked questions about ways to be romantic. People often think that romance has to be a huge deal with a lot of planning, reservations, candles, roses, fireworks, etc. Elaborate dates like that can be amazing, but doing simple romantic gestures will give you the same title of a romantic person. In today’s blog and in the weeks to come, I’m going to give you some very simple but sweet romantic gestures that you can do any day that will make your loved one feel special and help you be seen as a romantic person.

Change Her Computer Screen Saver

This one is super cute and easy because she will see it unexpectedly at a random time. Next time she’s in the bathroom or busy somewhere, go to the computer and write a note for the computer screen saver that says you love her so much. You can also change it to be a special picture of you two. If she has a smart phone, you can also do it to her phone while she’s busy as well.  I did this for Michele and she loved it!

Slip a Love Note in Her Purse

This is guaranteed to warm your honey’s heart. Simply take a post-it or a cut piece of paper. Write a note that says how you feel about her or simply put “I love you.” Again, I have tested this, it works.

Open Doors (Including Car Doors) For Her

I was guilty of this for a long time so don’t feel bad if you didn’t know that car doors should be opened in addition to building doors. Next time you’re hopping in your car, make sure to always go to her car door first and open it for her and shut it after she gets in. It’s a true act of chivalry and will show you as the true gentleman (or gentlewoman) that you are.

Fix The Car Or Things Around The House For Her

If there’s something around the house or her car that needs fixing then volunteer to get it done. She will feel taken care of and will really appreciate the gesture. It doesn’t have to be anything complex either. Simple things like putting up picture frames, adjusting electrical connections, putting air in her tires, and putting gasoline in her car are all very romantic sweet gesture you can do. Plus it gives you an excuse to buy cool gadgets like leveling lasers. 😉

If you would like more romantic gesture ideas , then contact us TODAY. We will help you with romantic date ideas, romantic gifts, anniversaries, and the planning and execution of elaborate dates that will be sure to make her heart melt. Don’t let your relationship lose its fizzle. Add some romance to keep the spark alive.

Marvin

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Los Angeles Proposal Tips

So last week we talked about proposing in Chicago, but this week we are going to stick to our own hometown.  If you are planning on proposing in Los Angeles there are some things you should consider.  On Thursday we will be writing about where to propose in Los Angeles, but for now here are the Top 4 Los Angeles Proposal Tips:

Consider Traffic

Of course you have been following our blog and listening to The Heart Bandits Proposal Experts, so I know you are going to have a proposal plan before you pop the question.  But when you are creating your plan, make sure you consider the infamous LA traffic.  It is the beast of all beasts and can ruin any special moment if you don’t plan accordingly.  If you are planning on proposing at a certain time or certain place, make sure to check traffic and even then, leave early to be safe.

Parking

Another thing that can really throw off your schedule in Los Angeles is parking.  This is especially important if you are going to propose somewhere popular like LA Live.  Give yourself some extra time to deal with the madness, that way you won’t be stressed out.

Make Reservations

I love this city, but it is wildly unpredictable.  You may think the little quaint restaurant up the street won’t be too crowded on your proposal night, but you never know when it will be closed for an Oscar viewing party or rented out for some celebrity charity function.  Make reservations for everything to avoid this problem.

Permits

Because Los Angeles is the capital of the Entertainment Industry, you need permits to photograph or video in a lot of places.  If you are planning on filming a public proposal, call the place ahead of time and find out if you need a permit.  The last thing you want is to be kicked out of where you are trying to propose.

To avoid having to deal with any of the headaches we listed above, hire a Southern California Proposal Planner to take care of all of this for you. We are experts in the field of marriage proposal ideas and proposal planning and we will do all of the research for you, acquire any permits, and provide you with a complete itinerary for your proposal.  Contact us today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.

Michele

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Date Ideas for a Holiday Weekend

This holiday weekend The Heart Bandits are taking full advantage of our three days by going up north to San Luis Obispo to visit some wineries and beautiful Hearst Castle. We know that everybody loves long weekends. If you do not have plans yet for this weekend and would like to do something fun and romantic with your sweetheart then here are some great date ideas that don’t require much planning but will result in a memorable time with your sweetheart.

Go Fly a Kite

There is a gorgeous hidden treasure in Los Angeles where the Korean Bell of Friendship is located at that has amazing views of Los Angeles and is a perfect date spot. If you live in the area, it’s a great location for kite flying. Flying a kite is a fun time to have and is so easy to group together with a picnic to make for a spur-of-the-moment date.

Michele Flying A Kite

Go on a Hike

Similar to the kite flying date, this one doesn’t require reservations or a lot of costs. Depending on what part of the country you live in, you can always find wonderful hiking locations nearby. Even if you live in a city, try taking your loved one to an eclectic part of the city and walking around checking out the shops and having a good time.

We Went Hiking in Malibu Last Week. Rough Life!

Wine Tasting at Home

If you don’t have plans to go out of town this weekend, it does not mean you can’t have a similar fun time at home. Create a wine-tasting event at your own home by getting several bottles of wine, having a ipod/iphone dock setup in your backyard or patio with soft music, and enjoy sampling the different wines. This is a good way to relax and enjoy your weekend.

Bring Out the Kid in You

We all know that you loved Chuck E Cheese as a kid. So why not go to Chuck E Cheese as an adult as a fun off-the-wall date? Go to enjoy the pizza, play air hockey, and watch those animatronics animals sing their country hearts off. They’re not so scary now that you’re an adult. 😉

If you would like more fun date ideas , then contact The Heart Bandits today. We can help you with date ideas, romantic gifts, anniversary ideas, and the planning and execution of elaborate dates that will be sure to make her heart melt. Keep the spark alive in your relationship and keep on having fun.

Marvin

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Where to Propose in Chicago

Keeping with our windy city theme, we wanted to talk about where to propose in Chicago.   Now you may not know this, but out of Marvin and I, I am actually the world traveler.  I have been all over the US, Korea, Australia, and all over Europe.  But I have never been to Chicago and he has!  So I had to sit down with Marvin last night and get him to educate me.  Below is a list of what we believe are the best places to proposes in Chicago.

Millennium Park

Located in the heart of the city, Millennium Park is full of amazing places to propose.  You could take your partner on the ice skating rink for a winter fantasy proposal.  You could organize a flash mob in Luminous Field.  Then you can celebrate with a theater performance.  The possibilities are endless.

Buckingham Fountain

There are a lot of ways you can incorporate the Buckingham Fountain into your proposal, especially at night.  Take your partner to different areas in the city but end up here for the grand finale.

Botanical Gardens

If you want to propose in a more tranquil area, the Botanical Gardens are perfect.  Just make sure you find a way to personalize the experience and it will be perfect.

Oak Street Beach

Beach proposals are always fabulous.  Pack a picnic, make a treasure hunt, or just propose while listening to the waves crashing.  But whatever you do, make sure the proposal is filled with personal touches.

If you are looking for a  Chicago Proposal Planner or you want to know how to propose in Chicago, The Heart Bandits can help. We are experts in the field of marriage proposal ideas and proposal planning. We will help you come up with an original proposal concept and then execute the idea for you.  Contact us Today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.

Michele

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Romance Tip of the Week – Create a Time Capsule

romance tip - vintage photos

Today is February 15th and if you didn’t completely forget what yesterday was then chances are good that you’re not in a doghouse right now with your significant other. So if you did remember to do something nice, then you probably have some kind of memento from yesterday that could remind you of the wonderful time you had. Today’s Romance Tip from The Heart Bandits is the creation of a Time Capsule to look back years from now. It sounds a lot more complicated than it really is but it has a lot of bang for your buck. Simply get a romantic looking box and place things in it. Super hard I know!

After you add things in it, put it away and agree with your loved one to open it on a certain date years from now. For you adventurous people, try burying it in your yard and creating a map of its location so you can discover it 10 years from now, or have your kids discover it.  It’s the romance tip that keeps on giving!  Here are some suggestions as to what you can put inside them.

Romantic Love Notes and Cards

I have a little trick up my sleeve when I give cards to Michele. I actually buy lots of love cards ahead of time so whenever a time arises that I want to give Michele a card, I have a collection to choose from and write what I want then. As you can imagine, now Michele has a TON of cards from me J. Buying blank stationary and creating love notes and cards are the easiest items to put into a time capsule and they tell a lot of what’s going on in your relationship because you express what you’re feeling at that time.

Keepsakes from Restaurants & Venues

This works great if you’re out of town and go to a cool place. Whether you can have a menu, matchbox, business card, ticket stubs, etc then these things are great and easy to put into a time capsule. They will spark the memory of the great time you had there and will make you want to return.

Photographs

With many people having digital cameras and phone with cameras. It’s almost like a lost art having photo printouts. But for a time-capsule these are perfect. Print out the best photos of you and your sweetie this year and/or the places you’ve been and place them in the capsule. When you open it, you will look back fondly at the great times you had.

Physical Souvenirs and Memories

If you and your sweetie have something unique from your relationship, like a piece of clothing, hand-made art, or symbolic items then add these to the capsule. Things that hold a lot of meaning and significance will make your heart melt when you see them again down the road. If you’ve ever been to a psychic, then this would be a cute idea to put the prediction in there as well.

Use This Time Capsule Down the Road

As a huge added benefit, you can actually use this romance tip as a precursor as as your actual proposal idea. You can set a date sometime in the future when and your better half will open this Time Capsule. When you open it together, you can tell her how much you love her and what amazing times you had together and propose. To be even smoother, you can try to somehow sneak the engagement ring into the Time Capsule and have your partner think it was there all along!

If you would like more great romantic ideas , then contact us TODAY. We will help you with romantic date ideas, romantic gifts, anniversaries, and the planning and execution of elaborate dates that will be sure to make her heart melt. Don’t let your relationship lose its fizzle. Add some romance to keep the spark alive.

Marvin

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4 Tip to Weather Proof Your Marriage Proposal

This week The Heart Bandits have provided you a Chicago Marriage Proposal feature and later on in the week we will be writing about Chicago Proposal Ideas. So it only seemed natural that if we are going to help you propose in Chicago, otherwise known as the “Windy City”, then we should probably talk about how to weather proof your proposal.

Assume It Will Be Windy

You can’t go wrong if you plan for the worst.  If you are proposing using any kind of props, anchor them down to make sure they don’t get blown away.  If you are using any kind of signs, make sure that the material is sturdy enough to withstand some strong winds.

Plan for Rain

Depending on the time of year, plan for rain.  Even if it doesn’t say it will rain, plan for it anyway so you don’t have to stress out about it.  If you are proposing outdoors, either rent a portable cover or bring a huge, 2 person umbrella.  When in doubt, propose indoors!

Plan for the Cold

You don’t want your sweetie shivering in the freezing cold while you propose.  If you are going to propose outdoors in a romantic setting, bring a portable heater or arrange to have one there.  If you are going to propose somewhere really cold like the snow, bring her a super warm jacket.

Plan for the Heat

If you are going to be proposing outdoors and standing or sitting outside for a while, arrange for there to be fans around if it is going to be a scorching hot day.  No one wants to be proposed to while they are dripping in sweat.  Trust me.

If you are looking for a Chicago Proposal Planner or for more proposal advice like this, The Heart Bandits can help. We are experts in the field of marriage proposal ideas and planning. We will help you come up with an original proposal concept and then execute the idea for you.  Contact us Today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.

Michele

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Chicago Marriage Proposal with Skyscraper Lights

Being a techie guy from MIT, I absolutely love when cool and techie stuff is used in a creative way. As part of The Heart Bandits marriage proposal planning company, I especially love it with techie gadgets or coordination is used in a marriage proposal. Today we’re featuring a Chicago marriage proposal that does just that.

The proposer, Marzo, took his girlfriend Lisa to a very strategic sidewalk in the city that was near a skyscraper. He then had Lisa call a specific number. She was somewhat bewildered by this because she was told to just call and say it was Lisa and say hi. This number was a code though that was to set off a series of very cool events. They both looked up at the skyscraper and all of a sudden all the lights in the building turn off. Then the words “Lisa”, “Will You”, “Marry”, “Me”, “?” appeared in order. Lisa was seriously shocked at this. She dropped her Doritos (lol) and of course said yes she would. We, and especially I, love this proposal because Marzo took a lot of work to make it happen and it was a complete surprise. Also, he made sure that he recorded it on video to capture this once-in-a-lifetime wedding proposal event. Godo job Marzo!

If you want to create a similar creative wedding proposal or need Chicago proposal ideas like this, it’s a good idea to get some help. Luckily, we are here exactly for that reason. We are experts in the field of marriage proposal ideas and planning. Contact us today to get started on making your dream proposal come true.

Marvin

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The Heart Bandits Featured in The Globe & Mail

The Globe & Mail is a nationally distributed newspaper in Canada and we are so honored that they have chosen to feature The Heart Bandits! The article today is titled “Popping the Question, with a little help from my Proposal Planner”.  If you need help with your Engagement Planning, contact us right away.  Check out our article below.

For Terence Yao and Emily Chan of Richmond, B.C., the ticket was burgers in the Hollywood Hills. Ahead of a business trip to L.A., Mr. Yao reached out to The Heart Bandits, a husband-and-wife team who arrange proposals in the city.

“I was lost,” said Mr. Yao, 35.

The Heart Bandits, a.k.a. Michele and Marvin Velazquez, put the Canadians on a horseback ride through Griffith Park. At the end of the trail sat the ubiquitous proposal picnic, complete with In-N-Out burgers and Sprinkles cupcakes, two L.A. staples. “Bunniee,” read a sparkly pink sign nearby, referencing Ms. Chan’s pet name. “Will you marry me?” read the reverse.

“It’s not like him to actually be prepared,” said Ms. Chan, 26, who will be marrying later this year. “That’s why I was so shocked, I started crying.”

The Heart Bandits have arranged 60 proposals since 2010. Ms. Velazquez has chartered private helicopters, co-ordinated flash mobs and put men on horses galloping down beaches at sunset. She’s also talked plenty of boyfriends off the bad-proposal ledge, including a fake commercial “aired” during the Super Bowl and a ring hidden in dessert, “which is super cliché and 1980s and we hated it.” She entrusts her own husband, Marvin, with keeping the proposals from getting too girly: “The guy doesn’t want to be stumbling in daffodils. My husband will make sure it’s reflective of the guy.”

Read the full article here.

If you want to create the perfect wedding proposal with personalized elements, you are in the right place. 80% of women are unsatisfied with their proposal and the main reason is because it lacked sentiment. Luckily we are here exactly for that reason. We will show you how to propose! Whether you need help with marriage proposal ideas or proposal planning of your perfect marriage proposal, we can help. Contact us today to get started on making your dream proposal come true. No matter where you are in the world, we can help.  Toronto, San Diego, NYC, Australia……we do it all!

Michele

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Top 5 Valentine’s Day Getaway’s

The Heart Bandits Romance Tip of the Week is to get away for Valentine’s Day!  Make this Valentine’s Day a memorable one by going on a romantic weekend getaway to a nearby city. The United States has so many great cities for weekend vacations. No matter where you live, an enjoyable mini-vacation is never more than a few hours away.

Below are the Top Five Cities to consider for a quick Valentine’s Day Retreat:

New York, New York

This is the perfect time to visit NYC, because it’s the low season for tourism. Hotel rates are cheap and rooms are abundant. Not to mention, tickets are available for many shows. One great hotel that is now offering amazing room rates is the Affinia Shelburne. Right now, they are offering the “Kiss and Tell Romance Package” which includes a one bedroom deluxe suite and a sweet treat and champagne turndown service for only $299.00 per night. Situated close to Park Avenue and the Empire State Building, this hotel is located near many great NYC attractions, restaurants and shops.

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is a beautiful city that is often overlooked by travelers. Its strategic location in the Midwest makes it a great road trip destination, and its mild winter temperatures are great for a Valentine’s Day weekend getaway for folks who live nearby. For a great hotel deal, take a look at The Westin St. Louis. You can now book and prepay for a room for only $95.00 per night. To guarantee a spot, book your couple’s massage at the hotel’s spa before arrival.

San Antonio, Texas

Valentine’s Day in San Antonio feels like spring. Enjoy the warmth of the weather and the culture by staying on the historic Riverwalk and taking in all the local attractions and cuisine. One beautiful hotel located on the Riverwalk is the Hotel Contessa where you can now book a Luxury Riverview King Suite for only $245.70 per night. In addition to great room rates, the Hotel Contessa is also currently offering Valentine’s Day room add-ons like a rose petal turndown, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne.

Las Vegas, Nevada

If you and your honey are looking for a fun-filled Valentine’s Day, Las Vegas is where it’s at. Right now, the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is booking their Deluxe Room for only $360.00 per night, and when you stay two nights, you get a $65 dining credit.

Charleston, South Carolina

Quite possibly the most romantic city in the South, Charleston is a wonderful getaway for lovers. February weather is mild, so you can still enjoy a long walk along the city’s shoreline and shop the many unique stores on King Street. For hotel accommodations, check out the Francis Marion Hotel which is located in the heart of the city. The “Heart of Charleston Romance” package is now being offered and includes free valet parking and fine chocolates and champagne upon arrival from only $189.00 per night.

Allison Lane is our guest poster today and she owns the website MPA Programs and enjoys writing guest blog posts on various topics of interest, including travel and romance.

If you would like more great romantic gift ideas, then contact us TODAY. We will help you with romantic date ideas, romantic gifts, anniversaries, and the planning and execution of elaborate dates that will be sure to make her heart melt. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so make sure you don’t drop the ball on this one.

Michele

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