Proposal idea help requested

KK4Life33

Hi all,

I am planning on proposing to my girlfriend. I am planning well ahead but i want it to be perfect. We were in Barcelona before and we both loved it but we ended up rushing through everything in order to see as much as we could.

Anyway, i am planning on taking her back there in Easter 2013 (I know it's a long time away but we have a holiday planned this summer so have to wait for next opportunity. As i said we both loved barca so i was thinking of popping the question there.

This is where my dilemma begins, I had an idea to stay in the same hotel as before which was new at the time and very nice but has had mixed reviews since. See, i remember the room number and was going to request the same room as it has relevance to the earlier days of our relationship.

As for the proposal, i want to do something a little different but it must be private & intimate (neither of us would like it in busy restaurant or at busy tourist site). So my ideas so far are at the Fountain of Montjuïc. See link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgzGa3EbPW0

We went to a show here before and it was great but very busy so privacy may be difficult. My alternative idea is to go on a hot air balloon ride over the city and surrounding areas followed by a champagne brunch. However, as there will be a balloon pilot with us it will not be just the 2 of us but obviously more private than my other idea.

I was also thinking of telling her we are going to barca for 6 nights but actually only stay there 3 and fly home via Antwerp, which has a major diamond industry. It would allow for greater choice to my better half and as prices are generally lower than here, she could get a nicer ring at a reasonable price as i must limit the budget.

Sorry, i know that was long winded but i'm just looking for some advice. Is this a good approach or what would you do or like your boyfriend to do differently?

ElleEm

It sounds like you are really romantic with all the ideas you are coming up with, but why are you waiting so long to propose?

I am sure your girlfriend doesn't need the grand gestures you are planning.

I know my boyfriend has "something" planned for the way he is going to propose to me, but right now, we won't get engaged as we want to plan the wedding from then, and don't have the finances at the min. If we did have the money, I would HATE if he waited for another year to ask me, (I am not allowed to ask him!).

KK4Life33

Hi ElleEm,

Thanks for the reply. We are going to South Africa this summer and i know you might think that it would make sense to propose to her then but as she is paying for half this holiday and we planned it together, i would feel like i was being too lazy to plan something nice and romantic by myself and have explained this to her. Sorry, i hope that makes sense.

I know she will be expecting / hoping that i propose when we go to barcelona but i just want something different. i would gladly propose at home but i want to treat her to something as special as i possibly can.

This will also allow me to get my finances in order to propose and buy the ring and plan a wedding. i have just been reading reviews on going to antwerp for the ring and from what i can gather, the money i save on the ring will cover much of the cost of the trip.

Zaph

It's probably worth pointing out that gold and diamonds are actually quite cheap in South Africa as they mine both there. I don't know where you're going in South Africa, but it's quite easy to get a quiet spot away from the crowd at the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town. It's pretty spectacular and definitely would be memorable for both of you. I wouldn't worry too much about feeling the need to pay for the whole trip yourself, especially if you ended up buying a ring there.

Gatica

I think if you're waiting to propose because you want to get your finances in order and pay for the whole thing yourself, then I don't think a year's wait is too long. You'd probably spend some of that time saving up for the ring or paying off a loan if you had not saved.
I think it sounds like a fantastic idea, and I think the romantic gesture of going somewhere that has sentimental significance for both of you is very touching. I'm sure she'd appreciate that too. If she's suspecting though that you're about to propose, the year may seem very long to her though, so do take that into account.

KK4Life33

The idea of proposing in south africa did cross my mind but i'm just not sure if it is feasible. i do want to do something a little bit different that means something to us. Don't get me wrong, i know south africa is beautiful and would be a great way. Also, we are both still young enough. I know 9 months wont make a difference that way but it will allow me to save up that bit extra.

We are looking into buying a house which would be our family home also. another idea would be to wait till we move in and on our first night in our new home together to propose. No grand gestures but it would obviously mean a lot to both of us. However, buying a house is by no means definite.

With regard to a year seeming a long time to her, she knows that i am not proposing in south africa but will expect it after that. it will be her birthday not long after we are back from south africa so the trip to barca will be her present. i would imagine she will expect me to ask then so that is why there needs to be some surprise element, hence the hot air balloon rather than at a busy tourist attration.

The other issue with south africa is that i know she will want the ring soon after and we might not have much time to pick 1 out there with the way the trip is laid out.

Having researche a little, i am starting to think we maybe should come home from barca to let her get some ideas on what kind of ring she wants & then fly back to antwerp

Cellygirl

Hey there,

Just to tell you my experience - ah well not experience as such, just, my husband proposed while we were on holidays in Paris. He did it on the very first night at the top of the Eiffel Tower and it was the best holiday we ever had.

Doing it on the first night meant we had the whole week together, just us, to adjust to the idea of being engaged before going back to two excited families asking us when the date was and what dress I was going to get and what hotel we were booking, you know?

I remember that holiday in Paris so clearly, we were so blissfully happy and we kept looking at the ring and giggling and it was just...perfect.

I know others might say propose on the last night so you can go straight back to family and friends and celebrate and I understand that too - I just wanted to give another perspective.

My husband got a dummy ring for me from Argos for 50 quid, just to have a sparkler on my finger. We bought a real ring then when we got home.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

KK4Life33

Thanks CellyGirl,

I'm with you on this one. i would definitely do it at the start of the holiday. We would want time together to get used to the idea. also, i wouldn't enjoy the holiday as i would just want to ask her the whole time.