Magical Proposal Ideas Inspired By Romantic Movies

‘Sweet Home Alabama’ image via Elle

Who said proposals can’t be magical, just like in the movies? Here are my favourite proposal ideas inspired by a handful of memorable romantic movie proposals.

In rom-com classic The Wedding Singer, Robbie (Adam Sandler) confesses his love for Julia (Drew Barrymore) by serenading her with a song he wrote dedicated to her, called ‘Grow Old With You’, while she’s on a flight to get married to another man whom she doesn’t really love! If you have any musical talent at all, why not write a personalised song for your partner and find a way to sing it to them before you propose? The thought of performing such a heartfelt song to your partner might seem quite nerve-racking, but believe me, it will be worth seeing the look on your partner’s face while it’s happening. So, get out of that comfort zone and get writing!

Many say “diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Is your partner all about diamonds? Look to Sweet Home Alabama’s iconic proposal scene in which Melanie (Reese Witherspoon) is taken to Tiffany’s by her boyfriend Andrew (Patrick Dempsey) and is told to “pick one” ring. At first, Melanie has no idea where they are because they arrive in pitch blackness, but when the lights turn on, she realises she’s spoilt for choice. If you don’t have a ring budget and you are willing to spend any amount, take your partner to a jewellery store, tell them to pick any ring they wish, then pop the question! If you do have a budget, create your own ring menu and give it to your partner when they least expect it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNbTjFGGx5o

Stepmom’s proposal is hopelessly romantic and sentimental. Luke (Ed Harris) wakes up Isabel (Julia Roberts) holding a jewellery box with a spool of thread inside. As Luke ties a knot around Isabel’s finger with a string of thread and drops a ring down the string from the other end, he makes a speech that tugs at our heartstrings: “Even when things are hard and you feel like giving up, you have to hang on to that decision, that choice to love each other. Even if it’s only by a thread. I let that thread break once. This time, it won’t. Will you marry me?” You could recreate this exact proposal, or maybe you’d like to reword certain parts of the speech. Either way, the thread will only strengthen between you and your partner!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL1B4N5dnTI

He’s Just Not That Into You sees Neil (Ben Affleck) attempt to sneak a pair of cargo pants – which his girlfriend Beth (Jennifer Aniston) hates – into the house. What Beth doesn’t know is that there’s a ring box in one of the pockets. Before she goes to discard them into a throwaway pile, Neil advises her to “check the pockets first”. She does, and she is pleasantly surprised by what she finds! Buy your partner a gift (for an occasion such as their birthday) that has a hiding spot and you know would disappoint, like an unattractive bag, and hide the ring. Present the gift to your partner. Once you see the disappointment on their face, let them know the receipt is somewhere, but act unsure. Eventually, your partner will come across the ring!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Vpmu_GBUw

Whichever proposal your choose, no doubt you will put your heart and soul into it. The magic happens when you’re in the moment!