Will You...?

Things To Consider When Planning a Marriage Proposal or Promposal

By Julie Senger

Love and romance are in the air! With Valentines Day coming up this month and prom season right around the corner, many are trying to come up with a unique way to ask someone they care about a very exciting question: Will you marry me? or Will you go to prom with me? While the answer to the second question is not a lifelong commitment like the response to the first question, those who want to be creative when asking someone to prom will still benefit from the following considerations (but perhaps on a smaller scale). So, before devising the perfect way to ask your big question, here are some questions to ask yourself:

What interests/passions/talents can I use for this plan?

Are you a writer? A musician? An athlete? Whatever your talent or interest is, you will be much more relaxed about asking your question if you employ a method that puts you in your comfort zone. Constructing a poem, writing a song, or wearing a T-shirt with a special message as you cross the finish line of your marathon then run over to surprise your biggest fan would be sweet ways to play to your strengths.

What are my partners personal interests/passions/talents?

Does he/she adore animals? Volunteer work? Cooking? Art? Regardless of the interest or passion, coming up with a creative way to incorporate something your partner loves shows that you pay attention to the things that are important to him/her.

Is there a location that is special to one or both of us?

When considering where youd like to ask your question, think about places that mean something to one or both of you. You might return to the location where you met or had your first date, or you may consider surprising your partner by going to a place the two of you have always wanted to check out but havent had the chance to do so yet.

What is my partner's personality?

Is your special someone shy or private, preferring small, quiet settings? Or is he/she a social butterfly who has never met a stranger and is not bothered by being the center of attention?

The answers to these questions should help dictate whether you decide to ask your question when its just the two of you (or at most a few close family members and/or friends) or if it should be a very public setting that puts your partner in the spotlight in front of lots of family, friends, and possibly strangers.

Introverted individuals might enjoy being asked while the two of you are hiking up Kennesaw Mountain, canoeing around Lake Allatoona or Lake Lanier, or walking through a beautiful backyard garden. A private dinner or picnic made up of his/her favorite foods are also great ways to set the scene for your query.

Extravagant examples for extraverts might include choreographed flash mobs, renting a jumbotron or billboard, or hiring a skywriter. A less extravagant yet equally charming example might include asking a bunch of classmates, coworkers, or friends to be involved in an extended spectacle/task, such as handing your partner several notes or clues throughout the day, which culminates with you asking your question.

If planning something adventurous, is the idea safe?

Most of us have read or heard awful stories about someone getting injured (or even killed) during a proposal or promposal. So, make sure your plan isnt dangerous.

If an engagement ring is involved, be careful not to present it in a way that might cause this pricey piece of jewelry to be lost. For example, its probably not a good idea to hand over the ring while in or near an ocean, lake, or river, or while dangling from a mountainside/cliff or freefalling during a tandem skydive.

Hiding the ring in food or beverage items has also resulted in the ring being accidentally swallowed, which may lead to a serious medical emergency, and it could also lead to undesirable bathroom excavation projects, which (while it might make for a funny story years later) would certainly take all the romance out of the present event.