When you pop the question, propose in a way that will pop instead of flop, and what better time of year than fall? Fall in love with our unique ways to propose this fall.
In a relationship, the proposal is the moment where the relationship is taken to the highest level. It is the moment where a declaration is made, and an important question is asked. The answer to this question will determine the direction of your relationship.
If this seems like a terrifying prospect, the important part is to take the time to consider the current state of your relationship. If you feel that you are both ready to take that next step and you want to be the one to pop the question, a little planning can go a long way in creating a memorable moment you can both cherish that will be the first in your life together after “making it official.”
Even if you want your partner to be completely surprised, you do want to at least nonchalantly find out what your partner thinks about engagements and marriage. That way, you are not in the dark about what sort of proposal would be the most memorable, and you know that you are both on the same page.
A proposal is a very personal and revealing moment that should be completely sincere. The more you consider what you want to say ahead of time, the more confident and relaxed you will be when the moment arrives.
There are many attributes to Autumn that make it a desirable season for proposals. In the right setting, the vibrant colors of the fall can make your surroundings look stunning, like an oil painting. The scent of pumpkin spice is in the air, and the chill of the crisp air means comfortable clothes and an excuse to snuggle.
All those sensory reasons aside, many couples prefer to marry in the spring or summer, so a fall proposal that occurs in the previous year gives you time to celebrate before the holidays arrive and leave you with adequate time to prepare for the big day.
Petal Proposals
Scientific research shows that flowers have a direct influence on romance. Research findings from an experiment published in The Journal of Social Psychology show that the sight of flowers makes people more open to romance.
Dr. Tom Buchanan, an expert in Psychology at the University of Westminster, said that because flowers are associated with romance, this association causes people to think, speak or behave in a romantic way due to automatic or behavioral priming, which is where the sight of a certain object can trigger behavior consistent with what is seen.
Flowers have a direct effect on mood and can convey very deep feelings. Adding flowers to a proposal is a natural step in setting the scene that will make your partner feel the love. Flower petals could be sprinkled in a path leading to the petals displayed to form the question.
Even staging your proposal outside of a flower shop can create a beautiful backdrop for the start of your waltz toward happily ever after, especially in the cool autumn air. The scent of the fresh flowers will add an extra element of romance to the moment.
If you do not wish to have a proposal in a public place, consider using a bouquet of roses to propose. You can attach the ring to a stem, place it in an envelope or hold the ring yourself, but make sure you keep track of the ring. That way, you will be ready and waiting to pop the question, and you will see the expression of surprise.
No matter how you plan to propose, some flower power can propel your proposal, so consider letting our florists at All About Flowers in Smackover, AR assist you in planning the perfect moment by creating a beautiful bouquet.
Recreate the Date
The best proposals are those that are personal and reflect unique elements of your relationship, and you can certainly find inspiration in how you met or important moments in your relationship. Recreating the moment that you first locked eyes or perhaps proposing in the place where one of you leaned forward for that first kiss or first tentatively grabbed the other’s hand to hold, can make a proposal have an even greater, more lasting impact.
When trying to come up with places that will have significance, think of your relationship from the beginning to the present. Think of your favorite places to go together, romantic scenes from movies you both love and whatever else makes you both genuinely happy, and you might find the perfect scene and way to propose.
Walking into the Future
Take advantage of the gorgeous fall foliage and plan a walk. Map out where you will go and hide some small objects representative of important moments of your relationship like beautiful flowers, photos, cards or other small items. Hand in hand, explore the park or part of your city that you both love and discover the items you have hidden for her to find. When the moment is right, use those props to explain how you feel and why you want the two of you to spend the rest of your lives together.
Pumpkin Proposal
Pumpkin Spice, pumpkin pie and pumpkins in general are a cherished part of fall for many people. If your special someone loves all things pumpkin, consider setting something up at a pumpkin patch if you have one local. Pumpkin patches naturally create beautiful scenes for photos. Pumpkins and hay bales are the perfect backdrop for your moment. You can even arrange ahead of time to place a pumpkin carved with, “Will you marry me?” for your special someone to find. If you don’t want to propose in a public place, you can also bring home a pumpkin, and instead of popping the question, you can carve the question.
A-Maze-ing Proposal
You found each other, so what better way to propose than by winding through a maze in the gorgeous fall weather together until the perfect moment arrives? Another option is for you to arrange for her to walk through the maze until she finds you. You could also place a banner hidden in the maze to be revealed, if you already know the precise location you want to pop the question. It is a good idea to arrange for you two to have the maze to yourselves for your moment.
Heavenly Hayride
If you really love experiencing the feeling of fall, a hayride would be a unique and very unforgettable way to get in the spirit of the season and cuddle up with your partner until you find the perfect moment to pop the question. You can arrange in advance to be the only two people on the ride, or if you are both very social, you can take the ride with family and/or friends.
Fall Pet Proposal
Do you and your partner have a beloved pet? Depending on what kind of pet family member you have, it will be cute to include him or her in your proposal. You already both share a love for your pet, so love will already be in the air, along with the crisp, clean scent of fall.
If your little loved one is a pooch, take a walk on the wild side and let your four-legged friend lead the way into the future where you both say, “I do,” and start your version of happily ever after.
Mountain Moment
For those who love the fall season and are willing to travel, renting a cabin in the mountains is a romantic way to stretch out the proposal over the span of a weekend. The beautiful fall leaves and exhilaration of a journey combine to give you a sneak peek of how the honeymoon will feel.
Merry-go-round into Marriage
A fall carnival can capture the happiness the season inspires. If a carnival near you has a merry-go-round, consider proposing while you stand next to her as she sits atop her favorite animal. As you go around in a circle, close a circle between the two of you, the same way the ring will symbolize your union.
Prior to the Proposal
Prior to popping the question, you should ask yourself some questions. First, does your partner want to get married? How do you both feel about marriage, and where do you see your relationship in the future?
Getting married is a big step, and it is a decision that should not be made in the moment. Life-changing decisions should be made after careful consideration and open dialogue. Even if you already live together, marriage is an even bigger commitment.
There are some important questions to answer prior to any proposals. How will finances be handled? Will you both be willing to relocate if one of you has an opportunity? Will you have children, and if so, how will things work?
These important questions need to be answered before any proposals because the very nature of a proposal can make someone reluctant to voice concerns for fear of ruining such a planned moment or hurting someone’s feelings, especially if the proposal occurs in a public setting.
If the proposal is made in a way that only pleases one person, that is a red flag. Relationships should be built on equality, with the happiness of both parties balancing the equation. As a result, planning a proposal that may not be aligned with your partner’s preference can show a lack of concern as you are placing more importance on your own feelings or desires than theirs.
Answering these important questions prior to asking the big question can help you both know if that next big step is right and if you are both on the same page. These important conversations help make sure that the proposal is the right step, so the answer is honest and the one you want.
If you have decided your relationship is ready for a proposal, the next consideration before planning is to think about how the proposal can be delivered in a way that is compatible for you both. If you plan a big, public gesture but your partner isn’t comfortable with a lot of fuss or attention, your proposal will not be as fun for your significant other.
What to Say
If you are at a loss on how to propose, the first thing to realize is that your special someone fell in love with you, so be yourself. If you get emotional while proposing, don’t worry about it because sincerity is important and makes the moment more meaningful.
You could begin the proposal with some of your favorite memories and how they illustrate why you fell in love. Let your partner know that being together has enhanced your life and made you a better person. Reminiscing about your favorite moments together, even if they are part of the mundane everyday moments, will help your partner realize that this is a lasting love.
One important thing to mention is that public proposals should only be done if you are certain that you both will enjoy having the attention. Also, it is never a good idea to propose at someone else’s event. For instance, don’t propose at someone else’s wedding. That will rob someone else of a special moment and appear tacky and selfish.
Although many people are concerned with documenting moments and sharing on social media, a proposal should be about the two of you. If you or your partner are concerned about having pictures or video of the moment, you can ask someone to wait somewhere in the background, so the moment remains unblemished and sullied by any intrusion.
A marriage should be a partnership, and the proposal sets the tone. The big decisions in life should be made together. Talking about what kind of future you imagine, where you both want to be and what you hope to accomplish both individually and as a couple before taking the leap is not just smart; it is essential for creating a lasting union.
Once you have reached the decision and know that you want to propose, fall is a perfect time. Make the most of the season, and if you are ever in doubt of what to say, you can always ask, “Will you marry me?”