Diamond News
How Not To Propose
The Internet is replete with advice on how to approach the “big question”, how best to open the door on a life spent with your one and only. This is all very well and good, but there are a lot of people out there with, shall we say, a “unique” idea of romance and there aren’t enough articles that confront and lay their plans to rest.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but just because you think your marriage proposal idea is a good one doesn’t mean that it actually exists within the realms of sanity the rest of the world inhabits.
Don’t Take The Romance Out Of A Marriage Proposal
First and foremost a marriage proposal should be romantic, never lose sight of this fact.
In the build-up to the wedding – the planning, coordinating, sending out of invitations and the myriad other tasks that come with marriage – it is easy to forget that the ultimate goal is to spend your life with the one you love.
The wedding itself is, by definition, a romantic occasion and, with luck, will make up for all the work that goes into preparing for it, but the proposal sets the tone for the months, or years, leading up to the big day.
Unfortunately one person’s idea of romantic might seem rather distorted when compared to another’s. So, this article is going to cover a few marriage proposal ideas not to try out.
Public Proposals Only Work In The Movies!!
We’ve all seen it at one time or another on some cheesy romance movie the girlfriend has forced us to watch.
The guy in the movie takes his girl to some sports game and, at a pivotal moment, has his message displayed for all the world to see, in 6-foot tall letters on the scoreboard; “Suzy, will you marry me!?”, the camera focuses on the young couple, their image displayed for everyone in the packed stadium. A collective sigh is let out at the beauty of young love, still alive in this fast-paced, modern world. The girl says “Yes”, the couple kiss and applause reverberates at the sight of this perfectly romantic moment
Sure, and, in “King Kong”, a giant ape romances Naomi Watts.
Some things only work in the movies.
Contrary to what you might believe, sweltering heat, thousands of screaming sports fans and the saturating scent of beer in the air do not add up to a romantic and intimate moment. Yes, you might think that a public declaration of love will show that you’re unashamed of how you feel, that you’re not scared to stand in front of the world and scream, for all to hear, “I love this girl!”.
Chances are though, she’ll think you’re clueless, unromantic and more in love with the Blue Bulls than with her. Don’t try this.
Marriage Is Forever, Take Your Time
Some girls don’t even kiss on the first date, this is perfectly respectable and the underlying message of restraint it conveys should be extended to marriage proposals. Marriage should be a lifetime commitment and rushing into a proposal too soon in a relationship could cause one to question your ability to commit. Not to mention your ability to think clearly.
While we all like to believe in the “love at first sight” ideal, the truth is that passion fades, while love is forever. If you truly believe in your love for someone, you have no excuse not to give it time to bloom.
Don’t give the impression that you walk around with an engagement ring in your back pocket, just waiting for the moment to whip it out and thrust it at the first unsuspecting girl to wander into your field of vision.
Simple can Be Beautiful
You might have an idea for what you think will be the perfect marriage proposal, an elaborate plan fit for any Meg Ryan film outing. Likely, your lady love will appreciate you having put thought into your proposal rather than treating it as an afterthought to love-making. But try not to go overboard.
If your plan culminates in a crystal clear vision in your mind of the exact scene surrounding your proposal, an image in which you can perfectly picture her smile, her stance, the wind conditions and a variety of other intricately-detailed factors, maybe you should reconsider your approach.
While a horse-drawn carriage carrying you to the harbour where you jump onto hired yacht for a romantic, champagne-drinking, moonlit trip to France so that you can propose at the top of the Eiffel tower might seem like a massively romantic and beautiful idea, it’s too planned out.
Your proposal shouldn’t put too much pressure on you or the lady to whom you are proposing. Don’t run the whole event on a schedule, where you feel as though you’re having to rush from here to there in order to be at the perfect place at the right time. Nothing destroys the romantic mood you’re aiming for like trying to fit it in a schedule.
Food Is For Eating
Comedy romances should be released with the same “don’t try this at home” warning attached as is obligatory for professional wrestling.
This is another tried-and-true staple of the romance movie goer’s diet. It is also another tactic that doesn’t translate very well to real life. Try imagine “choking” and “broken teeth” whispered in the same breath as “romantic proposal”. There’s just too much room for error when you hide your engagement ring in something meant for oral ingestion
Even assuming everything goes according to plan, your proposal is turned into some kind of ridiculous scavenger hunt, where the reward is a sticky, stained declaration of love. Seems rather like a mockery of the institution of marriage and all that the ring symbolises.
Make Your Proposal Memorable… In The Right Way!
There are so many ways for a person to mess up their wedding proposals, and more than enough people crazy enough to try them all. The point is to make your proposal the sort of occasion people want to remember, not the event they try to forget. Be subtle, be thoughtful, be romantic and be original.
… and always remember- don’t overdo it!!