Recipe for an Amazing Proposal (Gluten Free)

It wasn't the coast-to-coast flights, or the flight across the Atlantic the following morning; it wasn't her great grandmother's ring, nestled in the front pocket of my backpack and stashed underneath some Kleenex, or even the hassle of making a reservation at the restaurant in Brussels on account of a country code and a baffling combination of 1s and 0s. It was none of those things.

But it was walking beneath this eerie bridge en route to the restaurant and, for a moment, being disoriented in a part of Brussels that isn't exactly touristy ... or populated ... or lit. That's what made me nervous. And it was at that moment (at the tail end of a month of organizing and preparing) when I realized, There should really be someone to do this for me.

Sarah Pease does precisely that. In addition to being a full services event planner in NYC, she is also a renowned proposal planner, taking care of all the minute details so that the only thing you have to worry about is the "marry me" part. And while she may not know her way around Brussel's Quartier des Marolles -- had I known Sarah at the time, she wouldn't have let me take that route to begin with.


Watch: Josh & Mandy, a Proposal Planned by Brilliant Event Planning

So I asked the expert on popping the question to stop by and give us some on advice on simplifying a process that can, at times, seem really complicated.

The Recipe for an Amazing Proposal
by guest blogger Sarah Pease, The Proposal Planner™
Brilliant Event Planning

• Pre-Heat the Oven: Think about it ahead of time. That's right, don't pick up the ring on a Monday and plan to propose that night on a whim. This is a question that (hopefully) you'll only ask once in your entire life. Some people suggest spending as much time planning the proposal as you did earning the money for the ring.  That might be a little over the top, but it's the right attitude.  You can always upgrade the ring - you can never re-ask her to marry you.

• Write your Own Recipe. While your girl will likely be happy with your proposal no matter what, you should put a little more creativity into it than the "Rose Petal Turndown Package" at your local hotel. Make it personal to her by thinking about what things she loves and what she thinks is romantic. Whether her favorite things involve high heels or dirt bikes, luxury hotels or log cabins, making it thoughtful and personal is the key.

• Serving Instructions. As you plan your proposal, make sure to think about the "aftermath."  If you're proposing the night before her big work project is due, she won't be able to concentrate on celebrating and getting her work done.  If your ideal engagement is during your vacation in Timbuktu, how will you be able to call your family & friends to share the news without a long distance phone line?

• Cooking Time.  The best kind of proposal is a total surprise. Even if you've already talked about getting engaged and shopped for the ring, you can still take her by surprise.  Let's face it: if you plan a special dinner and tell her to get dolled up, she's going to know that she's getting proposed to.  And, it'll take a little of the wind out of your sails if she knows what's coming. Switch things up and plan your engagement for first thing in the morning or a random Tuesday afternoon.  You'll get the priceless reaction that will make it truly a moment to remember for the rest of your lives.

• The Secret Ingredient.  When it comes to proposals, there are three traditions that should not be ignored. You should always get down on one knee, have a ring (even a candy one as a prop), and say "Will You Marry Me?"  Follow this recipe for a proposal and you're sure to be on your way to baking a wedding cake!

 
Sarah Pease, The Proposal Planner™, is recognized as the foremost expert on marriage proposals and is the pioneer of Marriage Proposal Planning. Based in New York City, Sarah and the team at Brilliant Event Planning have designed and produced dream engagements for countless lucky couples from across the world. She is the go-to source for all things regarding, "Will You Marry Me?"


Contact Sarah by email or by phone at 917.974.4729.
http://www.brillianteventplanning.com