http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/ A blog dedicated to birthday ideas en-uk http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/propose-with-a-lovers-leap-bungee-jump/ If you're quite a daring couple or like to spice things up from time to time then proposing whilst doing a bungee jump may be your perfect proposal. In this unique bungee jump experience you give your partner a huge clenchy cuddle as you both jump from a crane together. The perfect opportunity to pop the question. Perhaps you should wait until you get back to the ground before offering the ring though! Book your date here http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/amazing-disney-proposals/ This popped up on our Facebook wall thanks to Pink Boutique. Check out these beautiful Disney style proposals that are sure to make you go 'awwwww'. ###GALLERY16### http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/ways-to-discreetly-find-out-her-wedding-ring-size/ You really only have three options when it comes to picking out a ring for the proposal: 1) the perfect engagement ring you choose for her, 2) a stand-in ring or engagement gift or jewellery you choose until you can shop for the perfect ring together, and 3) a novelty stand-in ring you get from a vending machine toy until you can shop for that perfect ring together. Of those three options only the first requires you to know here ring size, but how do you get that information without giving away the game if you're looking for thet super traditional proposal? If she’s a ring wearer, check to see if there’s a particular ring she uses for her ring finger on the other hand. Most people’s fingers will be roughly the same size; borrow the ring and ask a jewellers to measure the size. So long as the ring you purchase is adjustable by a size or two in either direction then you can be relatively confident it’s going to fit her. Alternatively, you can try asking her friends for help. A girl’s best friends can be downright sneaky when there’s a wedding involved, and will often be more than happy to help you determine ring sizes and pick out the perfect choice. If sneaky is more your thing, wait until she’s asleep and then measure her finger with a piece of string, a headphone lead or a tape measure. Rings are measured in millimetres, so make sure you transfer the length of string properly. If that’s a bit too unscientific, check whether the jewellery store will allow you to borrow a place-holder ring, it’s a great alternative to purchasing two rings. And remember, it’s easier to resize down than up, so always buy a bigger size. http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/romantic-places-to-propose/ If there’s one thing you should take away from any advice given to you about proposing, it’s that location can be key. Actually, the most important would probably be know your spouse-to-be because that key piece of information will inform all other choices, location being high on that list. Outdoor spaces are always popular, offering gorgeous surroundings and some relative privacy for the big question. Pick somewhere intimate, like a particularly pretty part of the park, or somewhere with gorgeous scenery, like a hilltop view on a favourite walk. Alternatively, if you’re both city dwellers and/or lovers, choose a corner of your city you both love the most, be it a large park, a small fountain or something in between. Beware though; outdoor locations really only work if you can trust the local weather reports, or if neither of you mind being caught out in the rain. If warm and cosy is more your style, choosing a location that has meaning, sentiment and will still allow your proposal to be heard needn’t be as difficult as you may think. And some businesses are often willing to get in on popping the question and will help your proposal become something a little more special. Get down on one knee at your favourite pizza place (or even your own living room) with some artfully placed pepperoni spelling out your proposal, or with the help of the pastry chef, some chocolate sauce and beautiful calligraphy at your favourite up-market restaurant. Want to splash out? Look for proposal packages from holiday destinations – Disneyland offers multiple opportunities for romantic walks, fireworks to propose under and restaurants to celebrate in. You get a beautiful vacation from your everyday life, and a stunning location to pop the question, perfect for those that believe in happy endings! But, ultimately, one of the best places to get down on one knee would probably be the location where you first met … assuming it’s somewhere that’s easily accessible and, most importantly, is somewhere your partner won’t be embarrassed to be proposed to. The last thing you want is a story you tell the grandkids involving the local drive through and ketchup on your shoes, unless of course that’s the kind of thing your partner loves! http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/top-5-tips-when-proposing/ Proposing is probably one of the biggest steps you’ll ever take in your life. With the rise of the wedding industry, proposing and what follows has begun to take on epic proportions for many, but with a few simple tips you can put together a proposal with minimal stress and fuss … unless fuss is what you’re after of course! Know Your Woman: while you must be fairly confident she’s going to say ‘yes’, this is a milestone event and you want it to go exceptionally well. It’s safe to say she’s probably going to love your proposal regardless, but it’s no good putting together something that’s completely contrary to her personality. Just because you love sports doesn’t mean that a proposal in the stands at a big footie match is what she’s always dreamed of. Pick a location that’s memorable, meaningful and romantic and – most importantly – choose somewhere private if she’s shy Choosing a ring may be something you feel she’d like a say in, in which case bring a ‘back-up’ ring with you for the proposal. If silly and sentimental is her thing then you can probably get away with a joke ring, but remember life isn’t a romantic comedy and a well thought out ring will earn you brownie points for years to come. If you’d prefer to have the right ring for that bended knee moment, be sure to ask her best friends’ opinions first! Pay attention, because this one is important: there is not a single woman out there who wouldn’t love to have a photographer capture the moment when the question is popped. Do yourself, and her, a favour and hire a photographer to snap that perfect picture, even if it’s just a mate who’s handy with a camera (although be sure they can’t be recognised!). Have your photographer be at the location by the time you arrive, we guarantee you she’ll never even stop to consider why they’re there once you get down on one knee. Let’s face it, the climate here in the UK doesn’t really offer much in the way of romance. Unless you’re planning on re-enacting a famous kiss in the rain then having a Plan B for wet weather may prove to be a life saver. If you’re determined to pop your question outdoors, if there’s some form of shelter nearby that can be utilised and still create a romantic atmosphere you’re not going to be worrying about messed up hair and makeup. Although, in fairness, neither is she once you go down on one knee, but if you paid attention to number three above, the photographer isn’t going to necessarily be getting any flattering photographs of the moment. When it comes to proposing, you can never have too much cheese. She’s going to be so overwhelmed (possibly flailing and likely screaming) about the fact you’ve proposed that the overly schmaltzy manner in which you proposed isn’t going to ping her radar. What she will notice is if you don’t bend that knee. Play the romantic, go all out, give her the moment she’s been thinking of since childhood. http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/ways-to-propose-marriage-on-christmas-day/ We have compiled a list of ways to get engaged around Christmas or on Christmas Day. If you have any suggestions for ways to propose at Christmas then let us know. Hang a ‘Will you marry me’ bauble on the Christmas tree We found a shop online selling a Proposal Bauble but you could even use your artistic skills and design your own to make it more personal. Then hang it on the tree and wait for your partner to notice it. They may need a point in the right direction! Propose with Christmas lights Yes we are being serious. If you buy some LED Christmas lights that are long enough (or get some that allow more to be attached) you could spell out the words ‘Will you marry me’ and maybe even include their name! It could be on the side of your house or somewhere in the house if you don’t want the whole neighbourhood to see. Propose underneath the mistletoe Mistletoe is a symbol of love and friendship and always makes an appearance at Christmas. Instead of simply kissing under the mistletoe though why not propose marriage? Hollow out a bauble and put the engagement ring in it We recently saw an engagement proposal floating around Twitter (photo on the right). After having a look we couldn’t find anywhere to purchase a ready made bauble like this, however you could probably create something similar by slicing a bauble in half and using the padding that came with your engagement ring box inside the bauble. Have a go and let us know how you get on. If you manage to find anyone selling something like this then let us know. Traditional Christmas Meal If you’re more of a traditionalist then why not cook or go out for a Christmas meal together. Maybe somewhere classy or overseas (such as Paris – the city of romance). Order champagne and when you get a chance you could pop the engagement ring in to her drink. If you’re not sure on the drink idea, perhaps you could have a word with the waitor before hand and see if they can bring out and present the ring for you – maybe  with a live band? Or write the proposal on her food plate somehow when they bring out the plates. The possibilities are endless! http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/ways-to-say-will-you-marry-me/ There are so many ways to say 'Will you marry me'. We have a list of proposal ideas on this site, but also thought it would be good to visually display some of the ways that you can propse to your loved one! Before you know it you will be counting down to your wedding! ###GALLERY3### http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/how-to-have-an-amazing-marriage-proposal-in-the-usa/ As a Proposal Planner in the U.S., I have gotten the chance to help tons of guys plan amazing marriage proposals at very diverse locations.  One thing I always tell guys is that they should always choose to propose at a location that has meaning to their relationship. Sometimes however that’s not always possible if both of him and his partner are traveling somewhere new.  If that’s the case, then proposing in a sweet and romantic way will be the next best choice.  If you are planning on traveling to the U.S. and proposing there, then here are some great places and useful tips to keep in mind. Once she has said yes and you have set a date for your wedding you can count down to your wedding. New York As the largest city in the U.S., there are more places that you can think of here to propose marriage.  With Central Park as the heart of the city, an excellent way to propose would be taking a horse carriage ride around the park.  Take your girlfriend on a romantic ride, stop at world famous Bethesda Fountain, and propose there.  Afterwards, make sure you hand your new fiance a bouquet of flowers and open up a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Los Angeles It’s safe to assume that you will have year-round good weather in this city.  Because of that you can choose to have an outdoor proposal at a scenic or well-known location.  One great place to propose in Los Angeles is Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade.  With tons of shops, restaurants, and street performers, you can have a great time together leading up to your moment.  When you’re ready to propose, enlist the help of a street performer to sing your girlfriend’s favorite song or hand her a note that asks her to marry you. Chicago This city is very vibrant and gives you lots of choices to find your perfect marriage proposal location.  I recently helped someone propose in Millennium Park by the world famous “Bean” sculpture.  For those that don’t know, this is a sculpture that looks like a bean but is made of polished steel that has a unique and amazing mirror finish.  Take your partner here and as she’s looking at your reflection in the mirror finish, you drop to one knee to propose. Las Vegas This city is not just for wild single people, it’s great for couples and it’s a perfect location to get engaged.  The fountains at the Bellagio are the center of the city because of their grandeur and beauty.  To propose at this location, get some helpers to take your picture as the fountains are having a show.  As your picture is being taken, have a couple of other helpers unroll a sign that asks your girlfriend to marry you.  When you look at the picture in the camera, she will really be surprised with your proposal. National Parks The U.S. has many national parks that are perfect for someone that loves nature.  One of the most beautiful parks is Yosemite National Park in California.  Take a hike to one of the gorgeous waterfalls they have (such as Vernal Falls) and keep your proposal simple.  Propose with the waterfalls as your backdrop. Proposal Planner Help Even if you are proposing somewhere new, there are still ways that you can incorporate elements of your relationship into your proposal.  A proposal planner can arrange things at a location that you are visiting for the first time to create an ultimate surprise proposal. You will also receive additional tips as to how to add sentimental touches to your proposal that will make your engagement story last forever. Marvin Velazquez is cofounder of The Heart Bandits, which is a  Marriage Proposal Planning Company that offers customized proposal ideas, complete proposal planning, and All-Inclusive Proposal Packages.  For more information about The Heart Bandits visit http://www.theheartbandits.com. http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/where-to-propose-in-london/ If you’re looking for somewhere special to propose, London is a great place to choose and isn’t just for those who are local. London is overflowing with places just waiting for couples to pop the question, and whatever the atmosphere you’re after, there’s a place that’s suitable. We’ve picked our five favourites to help inspire you, covering every eventuality and taste, and offering you a great time out in our capital city. Something Obvious The statue known as Eros at Piccadilly Circus has become the epitome of love to Londoners, to the point where it’s been rechristened Eros, the Greek god of love, despite actually being of his twin brother! Despite the outcry the nude statue created when it was unveiled, nowadays it’s not uncommon to see marriage proposals taking place beneath the plumed butterfly wings, always assuming you can get past all the tourists! Something Decadent The Thames River has some beautiful stretches, and taking a river boat cruise that will let you take in the sights, offer you champagne and a scrumptious dinner, and provide candlelight for that romantic moment can help make your proposal the best moment of your partner’s life. Something Unusual Don’t underestimate the power of a fun proposal,particularly when pitched to the right kind of girl. Madame Tussauds is an entertaining day out, allowing you to rub waxy shoulders with A List celebrities, royalty and athletes from across the sporting world. Scare her with the Chamber of Horrors and then, while holding her close, pop the question as you protect her from unhinged inmates! Something Outdoors London is filled with parks, gardens and waterways. Pack yourselves a picnic and spend the day relaxing under a tree, with your toesdangling in fountains, or wandering hand in hand through flower gardens. From Hyde Park to Primrose Hill and everywhere in between, there’s a piece of grass with your names on it, you just need to bring the picnic blanket. Something Cold If unique is something you’re after, you can’t get more unique than London’s Icebar. Situated just off Regent Street, this bar is held at -5°C and is the UK’s only permanent bar made of ice. Every year the bar is re-carved from new ice harvested in Northern Sweden, guaranteeing a new look and theme. With everything from the walls, bar, tables and glasses carved from ice, this is a brrrrrrilliant way to propose – just make sure you bring your winter coat! http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/proposing-on-a-leap-year/ February 29th only comes around once every four years, and was created solely to account for the discrepancy between a calendar year of 365 days and the actual amount of time it takes for the earth to go around the sun, which is about 365 days and six hours, or thereabouts. For the longesttime, February 29th had no legal standing, and was simply skipped over and ignored, with formal traditions holding no sway. As a result, legend tells us, women decided that for that one day all traditions were invalid and ignored the rules of society that dictated women couldn’t propose to their beaus. Nowadays, with the rules of dating and marriage being far more relaxed, it’s not uncommon for women to propose on any day of the year. But tradition still states that February 29th is the designated day for it, and most women will use the excuse if they’re still waiting when the Leap Year rolls around. While most women would prefer their partner propose to them, if you’re wanting to ask your partner, rather than wait for him to get proactive, using the Leap Year as an excuse can help boost your confidence. The biggest obstacle most people, men and women alike, find to proposing is a simple lack of confidence. Having your very own special day for just this occasion can be a wonderful kick-start, and with a little preparation you could be heading down the Mr & Mrs road before you know it! If you’re going to propose, don’t over practise; it could take out all the spontaneity and emotion from your proposal and leave the moment feeling a little flat. Build your confidence through empowerment, not alcohol, you want to be clear, articulate and – most of all – remember the answer! No one wants a drunken marriage proposal to muddy the waters over its validity. Consider your technique, women love big romantic gestures, but your man may not. There’s no need to get down on one knee or give him a heart attack with a large, over-the-top proposal, unless your partner is the kind of man who would appreciate it. Men should beware refusing a marriage proposal on February 29th, depending on your location you could be required to compensate your poor lady with 12 pairs of gloves, the bill for enough fabric for a skirt, or a pair of leather gloves, a single rose, a silk dress and a kiss! Refuse your ladywith care! http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/the-most-brutal-proposal-rejections-ever/ This is in no way written to scare of future proposers, however I think it is important to ensure that the love of your life will say 'Yes' to avoid situations like this! We couldn't actually find any british proposal rejections, so perhaps the British all propose, get married and live happily ever after? If you have found any more feel free to add them to the list in the comments section below and be sure to check out our list of proposal ideas. 1. Food Court Proposal Gone Bad 2. Marriage Proposal Rejected at NBA BasketBall Game 3. Proposal rejection in a mall, USA 4. Marriage proposal rejection on gameshow 5. Big screen valetines day proposal rejection 6. Marriage rejection on US television show 7. Leap year proposal fail http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/lucky-lady-proposed-to-with-help-from-above-and-beyond/ We love our Trance music here in the office, and to hear the news that one lucky lady was proposed to by the legends 'Above & Beyond' themselves is something quite extraordinary in our opinion! See for yourself in the clip below - this must have been an amazing experience! And most important of all for Matt Norcott, the love of his life said 'Yes'. I wonder if Above & Beyond will make a guest appearance at Matt's wedding. Now that would be cool! http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/choosing-an-engagement-ring/ Congratulations, you’ve made the decision to ask her to marry you. But might we suggest, before you do, that you have that ring ready and waiting? Let’s be honest here, finding the perfect engagement ring is going to take some time. This is a big decision to make, and finding something that she’s going to love is of the utmost importance, especially because this is not going to be a cheap decision. A diamond engagement ring is a rather modern tradition, but in less than one hundred years has become the ring of choice for most women. So sit down, go through your finances and put a budget together. Do some research on prices, come up with a reasonable amount that you can afford and won’t bankrupt you and then stick to it. Learn the four C’s: colour, cut, clarity and carat. 1. Diamond Ring Colour White (or rather clear) diamonds are precious because of their sparkle; the clearer they are the better they sparkle. Diamonds are graded for their colour, from D (most valuable) to Z (least valuable), with those graded from G to I being colourless to the untrained naked eye. Looking for something in the G to M range, depending on your setting and companion stones, can give you a beautiful diamond that looks remarkably clear but doesn’t cost the earth. 2. Diamond Ring Cut The cut of your diamond doesn’t actually mean the shape, but how it reflects light. The cut can make a difference in how your diamond looks because the way it sparkles will be affected; this is probably the hardest to look for with an untrained eye and is worth researching further. 3. Diamond Ring Clarity Clarity refers to any blemishes, cracks, air bubbles or non-diamond minerals incorporated in to the structure of the diamond. Any such characteristics will lower the price of the diamond, but may not be overtly visible to the naked eye. 4. Diamond Ring Carat Carat is a measurement of weight; one carat equals 0.2 grams. Smaller hands and slimmer fingers will make smaller carat diamonds appear bigger. And if she has her heart set on a large stone, remember that lower quality diamonds can still appear flawless to the untrained eye. View our selection of engagement rings http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/we-welcome-mappin-webb/ You may have noticed that some new engagement rings and gifts have started appearing throughout the site. This is thanks to a new merchant that recently approached us eager to get their stock displayed on our site. Their jewellery is second to none - take a look for yourselves! Visit Mappin & Webb http://www.yourproposal.co.uk/blog/your-favourite-engagement-ring/ Since launching this site and studing analytical data we can safely say that your favourite engagement ring is this platinum 1/4 carat diamond solitaire ring - and it's not hard to see why. It's stunning but simple, and shiny but elegant with a big rock to show off but at a sensible price. Click here to view and buy