Perfect Holidays Make Perfect Proposals

Proposing whilst away on holiday or at a special time of year such as Valentine’s Day or Halloween makes choosing a proposal idea much easier.

Whilst you risk becoming a romantic cliché by proposing on February 14th, it’s the most romantic day of the year, so come up with an original idea and you can still make your proposal unique. Or do something out of the ordinary and propose with a pumpkin carving on Halloween.

Whilst a weekend in Paris could tip her off to your plans, there are plenty of other destinations such as Venice where she won’t suspect a thing; it’s up to you whether you’re in the mood to serenade her on the gondola or would just prefer to present her with the ring!

You’re both at your most relaxed and happy during the holidays, making it the perfect time to pop the question.

Halloween isn’t the time of year you would traditionally associate with marriage proposals, but it’s still a great time to ask her to marry you, especially if both of you love horror films, zombies or anything else that goes bump in the night.

Be inspired by some of the more imaginative Halloween proposals people have planned over the years, such as personalised pumpkin carvings. Don’t just spell out ‘Will you marry me?’ – instead, carve several pumpkins with your names and things that are special to you as a couple. You can rope in some creative friends to help you out!

If you’re planning on trick or treating with the kids, ask the neighbours to help you and get each neighbour to pass her a message, leading her on a treasure hunt which ends with you, down on one knee with the ring. Halloween is a really fun time of year to propose!

Paris is the city of lights, arguably the most romantic city in the world. It’s filled with quaint cafes and picture-postcard cobbled streets that are ripe for special wedding proposals.

Head for the Pont des Arts – here you’ll find thousands of padlocks with couple’s initials and messages carved onto them. It’s the perfect spot to propose as you look out across the Seine to Notre Dame.

Fans of the film ‘Amelie’ will recognise the Deux Moulins Café in Montmartre. Enjoy a coffee here before strolling up the hill to the Sacre Coeur. Propose at the top of the steps in the glorious Paris sunshine and she will be yours forever, we guarantee it!

If all else fails, a romantic meal in any one of Paris’ gorgeous neighbourhoods will seal the deal. Candles, champagne and delicious French food set the mood for a proposal to remember. Expect an audience though; the French love romance!

If you daydream about being shipwrecked on a desert island with the one you love, then heading to a desert island to propose makes perfect sense – just think more ‘Dr No’ than ‘Castaway.

’ Charter your own boat and head for a deserted island paradise for two; if you’re really looking to propose in style, you can hire your own private island for the day or weekend. Mu Ko Ang Thong is an archipelago of islands in Thailand; most are uninhabited and you can head here for a daytrip from Koh Samui. Propose on the beach and enjoy snorkelling and exploring the island together afterwards.

Or head for the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji with their beautiful white sandy beaches. Many are uninhabited and the smallest, Monuriki, was the location for the film Castaway. Pack a beach picnic and propose in style on a deserted island; it will make a great story for the kids.

Whether or not you decide to share your Cornetto with the one you love, Venice is the perfect place to pop the question.

Full-on Venetian romance can be achieved by proposing on a gondola ride, cruising along the city’s winding canals. Or organise a masked ball proposal to add intrigue to your special moment.

For a simple yet memorable proposal, drop to one knee in St Mark’s Square, or be inspired by the man who serenaded his fiancée-to-be in the square. Take her hand on the Rialto Bridge and declare your love, or take the waterbus to Il Rendentore on Giudecca. This is the perfect spot for a more intimate proposal, without the throngs of tourists. Lead her up the steps of this beautiful little church, get down on one knee and ask her to be your wife. Tears of joy and a ‘Yes’ are practically guaranteed!

The Taj Mahal in India is the perfect backdrop for a dream proposal. Built in 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, there’s no denying that this iconic building has a romantic history.

The famous Princess Diana bench has been the spot for many a romantic proposal, and the awe-inspiring white marble dome of The Taj itself will ensure your holiday pictures look incredible.

With a bit of advance planning, you can ask a friend or worker to film or photograph your proposal. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the exquisite gardens for a romantic way to end your afternoon; although you may find she is more interested in admiring the sparkler on her finger than the surroundings!

The Taj Mahal is definitely one of the world’s most romantic spots to propose and unlike a trip to Paris or Venice, it’s easier to plan a surprise proposal in India!

There’s no denying Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, so what better day to ask your girlfriend to marry you? There are plenty of great ideas for popping the question on Valentine’s Day. Keep it simple and recreate your first date or another special occasion to bring back happy memories. Or why not go all-out with something really special?

Whisk her away on a romantic trip to Paris or Rome, or choose somewhere less obvious such as Prague or Bruges; all are great spots to propose and you’ll enjoy a magical holiday afterwards!

Other ideas for proposing on Valentine’s Day include proposing in a card, writing a romantic poem, proposing on-air on her favourite radio station or ordering a custom jigsaw puzzle online. These jigsaws have one piece which says ‘Will you marry me?’ which you can keep in your pocket until the puzzle is almost complete.