Advice for the men...

.Will You Marry Me??? 20 Ways to Propose

by Lataysha Jackson

Gentlemen!

Have you found the love of your life?  And are you ready to be with her for rest of your life?  Are you ready to propose?; you're most likely sitting there and saying “OMG how should I propose to her?” Marriage proposals are very important to woman, it is the one moment of our lives that we remember and cherish forever; which is why that very day must be special for us. From the very day we were born; our marriage proposal and wedding was all we could think about, you wouldn’t want to destroy our dream day would you?  The answer this should be no!

You would think “will you marry me” is the most important part of marriage proposals! Well how you propose, and where you propose, and her answer of course is at the top of importance.

The other day my cousin had asked me for some ideas on how he should propose to his girlfriend; I was so honoured and right away I shouted out about a “million” ideas. He knew I was interning at WPIC and he told me because I had so many ideas I should blog it, so here I am!

I picked my top 20 best marriage proposal ideas; some of which are my own ideas and some are researched ideas. Sit back and take note, because these ideas will have you blown away! There were so many that it was hard for me to just choose 20.

20 Marriage Proposal Ideas:

1. Hockey Lovers –  If you and your companion, or if your companion plays or loves to watch hockey; take them to a arena, play a game of hockey or just play around on the ice. At the perfect moment, position the engagement ring on top of the ice puck, and slide the puck over towards her. Once she has received the ring, say a speech and ask “will you marry me”.

Photo: VisionsofRomanceBlog

2.Bring It Back Old School-  this will most definitely have the “Aww affect”.  Take one of her favourite childhood games and propose to her through the game, example writing “will you marry me” in chalk on the pavement, or having a specially made Frisbee and have “will you marry me” on it.

3. Roses are a girl's best friend- If you wish to keep it simple, but yet romantic, when she is not home put your plan into action. Have rose petals leading from the front door to the kitchen (have a candlelight dinner table set up with roses and roses petals all around). Or have them leading the way to the bedroom. In the room light candles, have roses all over the entire room, with music playing in the background. In the middle of the room on the floor, create a big heart with rose petals and in the middle have the ring; get down on one knee and be ready to propose as soon as she walks in.

4. Scrapbook It- If you have collectable visuals from when you first met till now. Take 1 picture that highlights the best moment of the year you were together, adding up to the total of year’s you have been together. Under each picture write a caption, a quote, or a poem.

Example: If you were together for 5 years, have 5 photos and put it in the scrapbook, and the 6^th picture could be a picture of the wedding ring, or you could have the ring attached. This is a very good way to express your love and get creative.                      

 Photos: YourEngagement101, YouWannaTalkJive

5. Photo booth Love- Take a picture at a mall photo booth by yourself, and make 4 different wonderful displayed signs of “will you marry me?”  You will have four snap shots printed. For each picture hold the sign up and bring your personality through the picture, example: for the pose with the "me?" sign, you could have the sign in one hand and with the other hand point your finger at yourself with a huge grin. Make her see why she fell in love with you.

6. Icey Love-  Freeze the ring in a ice cube, and drop it in her glass of wine, champagne, or beverage. When she notices the ring in her glass, get down on one knee and propose.

Photo: MyLuckyFortune

7. Fortunate Love- Ask a baker, or manufacture that makes specialized fortune cookies. Have them create a fortune cookie of its original flavour or her favourite flavours; chocolate, strawberry or whatever it may be. Then create a personal message to be put inside. Give her the fortune cookie over dessert or a romantic evening you may have planned.

8. Traditional Approach- Ask her father or mother for their daughter's hand in marriage. At the next family gathering and at the perfect time, make a toast and propose to her. Having family around will make it special, and then after the proposal you both get to celebrate with the family.

9. Scavenger Hunt- Is the most used and popular way of making a marriage proposal. You could set up the hunt at home, her house, your house, her work, a place you shared a special moment at, or where you first met. You could plan the scavenger hunt yourself, or have family and friends in on it; the more the merrier. Take note, you must leave clues all around like notes, pictures, gifts, or you could even guide her through romantic text messages. At the end of the hunt, await her arrival with a surprise and on your knee ready to purpose.   

10. Get The Children Invovled- If you have children, have your kids make a picture of; a bride and groom, or a sign saying “ Mommy will you marry Daddy?”. Once they show her the picture, come in and surprise her with flowers and the ring. You can make it funny by saying “Hon, you can't say no to these adorable faces”.

Photo: 1HappyCorner

11. Game It- Crossword Puzzle, or Puzzle

Crossword Puzzle: Create a personalized puzzle with all phrases and answers in relation to your relationship with one another, and also include "will you marry me." There are various websites that allow you to make crosswords. Be prepared to do the crossword with her. Helpful website: http://www.puzzle-maker.com/CW/

Puzzle: Go to a board game store or to a place that creates and packages puzzles. The puzzle can be a picture of you and her with the message saying her name and “will you marry me”, the engagement ring, you on one knee with the ring, or of you and her in the background. Once the puzzle is completed and she is in utter shock, proceed with the proposal. It would be very cute to do the puzzle with her, so it encourages her to actually finish it.

12. Bright Lights- Hire a company that does fireworks, and plan a firework show to be put on in the night... plan it so it looks like it has nothing to do with you. Pick the perfect location and bring her there. Once the show begins, proceed with your proposal.

13. Roses- During  a romantic evening, picnic, or date, give her 3 roses one by one. For each rose tell her that; one represents the past, one represents the present, and for the last one (you could have the engagement ring attached or have a note saying “will you marry me” on it) then tell her this one represents the future.

14. High off Your Love- Hire a skywriter and have signage, or ask them to spell the words for everyone to see in the sky above, the perfect time to do this would be during the day, maybe even after a romantic picnic, or a walk on the beach.

15. Web Page- This has become really popular especially with the rapid growth and change with technology. Create a personal web page with her name, the proposal, a picture of the ring, or pictures of you and her together. Plan a day and tell her you would like to look at vacation prices. Sit her down and surf the web, then tell her to go to this link. Once she opens the link surprise her with a proposal.Photo: MyWeddingDayBliss

16. Romantic Beachside- Go for a walk along the beach around sunrise, sunset, or any time of the day. You could either propose to her with words, or even draw a heart, her name and yours, and “will you marry me” engraved in the sand.

17. Music of Love- Burn a CD of all her favourite songs, love songs, or songs that the two of you share memories to. You don’t want the CD to be too long, so have 10 tracks or less. For the last track record an audio expressing your feelings, and how much you love her, and go into a proposal. You could sing, or talk. This will be a great way to capture the moment in a memory

18. Book Worm- If she loves to read and reads on a daily basis, take a book that she is currently reading, and replace the current book mark with a specially made proposal book mark. You could get creative and maybe act out a scene from the book, or simply go into your proposal with “will you marry me”.

Photo: The Heart Bandits

19. Sport it Up-  Take her to a sporting game, and sit in distance to the score board or a stadium TV. During half time or when her team scores. Have “will you marry me” and her name displayed through the stadium TV’s or score board. Tell family and friends ahead of time to watch it on TV. NOTE: DO NOT DO THIS If she is shy, or very private. 

20. Swap Out Keyboards- buy an old computer keyboard and switch it with her original keyboard, replace the keys on it and spell out your message. This will totally catch her off guard, and be unexpected.

Wedding Cars..

Selecting A Wedding Car

There is no other element that creates a spectacular arrival than the wedding vehicle that you and your wedding party arrive in.

Wedding cars play a key role in making magnificent entrances and nothing beats the pleasure of traveling in opulent luxury and style.

That’s why selecting the right wedding car to compliment the style and theme of your event is crucial.

Vintage, Classic Or Modern?

Vintage cars are generally made between 1919 and 1930.

Classics are from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and are no longer in production, yet still popular.

Modern Classics tend to be iconic cars from some of the classic makes that people believe stand out enough to be classics. Examples include: Ferrari Enzo, Jaguar XK8R and Aston Martin DB9.

Modern cars are generally late model luxury limousines and vehicles such as Mercedes, BMW and Ferrari’s.

There are no rules when it comes to wedding cars and arriving in style, however make sure that it is YOUR style and that it matches your wedding style.

If you’re having a modern or casual wedding, consider a motorcycle, converted fire engine or flashy new convertible Mercedes or Ferrari as your wedding transport. On the other hand, if your ceremony and reception is more traditional, a classic Rolls Royce, Jaguar and Aston Martin, or a vintage Dodge or Buick may be exactly what you’re after. These are definitely for those couples that want to make a statement.

Limousines are a classic choice for wedding cars. The couple hosting a classic and traditional wedding generally choose the limousine to accommodate themselves, their family and the bridal party. Other excellent choices in wedding cars that can also accommodate a large wedding party include stretch SUV’s.

For the bride and groom who want a more intimate experience, consider wedding cars that are elegant, yet provide a more romantic and intimate setting of a classic car, such as the Rolls Royce and Bentley. Each of these wedding cars will definitely leave a lasting impression on your wedding guests.

A wedding car of any era will make you feel a million dollars and selecting the right wedding car company will take a lot of the stress away from your wedding planning. So read these helpful tips to choose your wedding cars wisely.

Size Does Matter...

The first thing to do when organising your wedding cars is to determine how many cars are required. Will the entire bridal party be transported by a single car or by several cars? It is customary for the bride to ride with her parents to the wedding ceremony and don’t forget to include the parents and grandparents of both the bride and the groom.

The style of vehicle you select will also determine how many people it will seat. Generally classic vehicles seat four adults plus the chauffeur. Limousines on the other hand will seat 10 or more adults plus the chauffeur.

Picking your Dress

Congratulations, you are getting married! In all the excitement and stress of planning your wedding over the next few months, one of the most important things you will purchase is your wedding gown. The first thing you should do before actually heading to the bridal shop is get an idea about which style of wedding gown you prefer. You will need to get familiar with wedding gown terminology and styles. Here are some general guidelines to help you get started on the road to wedding day bliss.

SILHOUETTE

A-line

The A-line or princess dress has no marked waist and the vertical seams flow from the shoulders down to a flared skirt, creating an "A" shape. If you carry your weight in the middle, this silhouette is a nice choice.

Ball gown

These gowns are normally quite formal, reminding you of Cinderella. The bodice is fitted with a very full skirt. Ball gowns can be long-sleeved, sleeveless or anywhere in between. The full skirt of a ball gown can hide large hips and thighs.

Empire

Empire gowns have a raised waistline that starts right under the bust, flowing to a skirt that skims over the hips then flairs slightly to the floor. This romantic silhouette is flattering to most body types and is particularly flattering to small-breasted women.

Mermaid

As the name indicates, the mermaid dress is contoured against the body then the gown flows out beginning around the knees. This is the sexiest of the styles. If you're confident in your body, a mermaid dress can show off your curves.

Sheath

The sheath or column dress has a slim shape that follows close to the line of the body. The straight design doesn't allow for many body flaws. The long lines of a sheath gown can elongate the look of your body. Therefore this type of dress can work well for short brides.

NECKLINE

• Bateau — Close to straight across from the tip of the shoulder. Gives plenty of coverage.

• Halter — Wraps around the back of the neck to create deep armholes. Often also a backless style, which is very sexy.

• High — Covers most of the neck. Creates a formal, somewhat stiff look.

• Jewel — Similar to that of a t-shirt. Creates a bustier look.

• Off-the-shoulder — As the name indicates, the top of the shoulders are bare. Showcases your collarbone and shoulders.

• Portrait — A very wide scoop from the tip of one shoulder to the tip of the other.

• Scoop — Classic U-shaped neckline. Can be cut low for a sexier look.

• Square — Squared neckline, often associated with empire gowns.

• Strapless — Normally straight across. Not recommended for women with small busts.

• Sweetheart — Shaped like the top half of a heart. Emphasizes the cleavage.

• V-Neck — Dips in the front into a V-shape. Can be very deep.

LENGTH

• Street length — Hem falls just past the knee.

• Intermission (or tea) length — Hem falls between the knees and ankle.

• Ballet length — Hem falls just to the ankles.

• Floor length — Hem barely touches the floor on all sides.

SLEEVES

• 3/4 sleeves — End between the elbow and wrist.

• Bell — Long sleeves that flare out toward the wrist creating a bell shape.

• Cap — Rounded sleeves, just covering shoulders.

• Fitted point — Long, fitted sleeves that come to a point over the hand.

• Juliet — Long, fitted sleeves with puffy shoulders.

• Long sleeves — Extend to the wrist and are normally form-fitting.

• Off-the-shoulder sleeves — Cover the upper part of the arm but leave the tops of shoulders exposed.

• Poet — Long sleeves, fitted to the elbow then flared.

• Pouf — Short sleeves, gathered to create a puffy look.

• Short sleeves — About the length of t-shirt sleeves.

• Sleeveless — Strapless with no sleeves.

• Spaghetti — Thin spaghetti straps with no sleeves.

BODICE

The bodice refers to the portion of the dress between the neckline and skirt.

• Corset — A form-fitting bodice with boning and lace-up closures.

• Halter — Sleeveless bodice that wraps around your neck, normally backless.

• Midriff — Fits very closely around the mid-section, accentuating your waist.

• Surplice — Sections of fabric cross-wrap in the front or back.

• Tank — Sleeveless with wide armholes like tank top.

TRAIN

• Sweep — 8 to 12 inches in length, just a few inches longer than the gown.

• Court — Extends about 3 feet from the waist.

• Chapel — Extends about 4 feet from the waist.

• Cathedral — Extends about 6 to 9 feet from the waist.

• Royal — Extends more than 9 feet from the waist.

VEIL

• Birdcage — Falls right below the chin, usually attached to a headpiece.

• Flyaway — Falls to the shoulder.

• Blusher — Worn over your face, about 28 inches long.

• Elbow — Falls to the elbow or waist.

• Fingertip — Falls to the finger tips or just below the waist.

• Ballet — Falls to the ankles.

• Chapel — Falls slightly longer than floor length.

• Cathedral — 9 feet or longer.

DIY e-lookbook

DIY e-lookbooks 

We are thrilled to announce our very first in a series of DIY e-lookbooks.

We have searched through our archives and know that you will find everything you need to make your wedding unforgettable. 

If you do decide to go ahead and DIY:

- Plan ahead and make sure you have time to make everything you need whilst simultaneously planning the rest of your wedding.

- Be selective about what you DIY, choose your projects wisely and play to your strengths.

- Research how to do your project(s) – there are lots of online tutorials, books and blogs.

- Do trial runs and mock-ups first as it could save time and money in the long run.

- Mix and match DIY items with professional services; for example, you could get a friend to design your stationery but then get it professionally printed before you add decorative touches and pack it all together with your own finishing flourish.

- Research our online  DIY stationery.

- Don’t leave too much to do close to your actual wedding day, where possible do it in advance so that you’re not tying ribbon around favour bags on the morning of your wedding.

DIY should be fun, something to look back on and remember fondly. These simple touches can often be the most meaningful to your guests, but don’t forget that no one is expecting you to make your whole wedding! You should only undertake DIY projects if you’ll actually enjoy it, otherwise it’s pointless. There’s a reason that there is a professional industry who do these things all the time and that’s to save you from doing it!

Wise words as always from Wedding Style Guide

Let us know if you have any DIY dilemmas or wedding planning questions – we’re happy to help!

Our ethos at Wedding Style Guide is very practical, our magazine is totally dedicated to helping our readers with the whole occasion, to make the wedding experience fabulous. We focus on directional design and decoration and show the most fashionable trends and concepts to make every wedding unique, as it should be. Our team has worked with hundreds of brides, organised unforgettable weddings and our magazine will give you the secrets. Our stylists are even doing the shopping for you, finding the prettiest, most unusual and decorative accessories for maximum effect.
Our hands-on experience means we have seen it all, so our readers will get an insight into the nuts and bolts that hold a wedding together, a stress-free wedding is all in the planning.  We will always let you in on the stylist’s secrets.
We would like to be your new best friends, showing you the most wonderful options for every detail, your perfect wedding is sure to be found on our pages in every issue.

Visit our website www.weddingstyleguide.com.au and download some of our favourite things.