When it comes to a proposal, sometimes less is definitely more. There’s often a lot of pressure to get a proposal picture-perfect, especially in this era of social media and sharing, which can make it incredibly nerve-wracking. In that case, why not consider a simple proposal? These ideas remove any unnecessary expectations, stress and third parties. It might also be the best option if your partner is more of an introvert and doesn’t like to be the centre of attention, or if you two live a simpler lifestyle and avoid anything too flashy.
But a simple proposal doesn’t mean an unromantic one. In fact, following our ideas by stripping back the bells and whistles can actually make it more magical. It’s just you, your partner and that all-important question. Read on for our simple proposal ideas that your partner will adore.
Planning your beautifully simple proposal
Although you might have decided a simple proposal is the way forward, this doesn’t mean you won’t put a lot of thought and effort into it. Get some ideas about the setting and any no-frills props you might want to use (see more on that below). As you’re taking away any excess, you’ll also want to make sure your proposal is authentic and relevant to your relationship, so the sentiment really shines through.
Decide when you might want to propose, as picking a weekday for your proposal rather than a weekend is also an excellent simple proposal idea. For Zoe Wright from Sydney, her midweek proposal from husband Patrick was wonderfully simple and just what she wanted. “We went out for dinner at a restaurant by the beach, and then he gently pushed the ring across the table and asked… I just loved it.”
Simple proposals using props
A simple proposal idea that is a little enhanced is to use some props. A balloon, for example, can be a really simple but effective way to propose. You can get some lovely proposal balloons, such as this one from Ginger Ray – imagine your partner’s face when they walk into a room to see this or open a box to have it bob out and surprise them!
Another simple proposal idea is to write a proposal letter, a wonderfully heartfelt and simple way to get your message across. Since the art of putting pen to paper is much rarer these days, your partner is sure to appreciate the effort. You can practise your handwriting and write it yourself for the ultimate personal touch or even hire a professional calligrapher to make sure your words look as beautiful as they sound (or read)!
Yet another simple proposal idea involving props is to use some form of lights. This could be an LED sign popping the question or using soft and romantic candles to spell it out. Or, if your partner is a real chocoholic, why not enhance your simple proposal with some delicious personalised chocolate? We love this delightful personalised chocolate proposal from Cocoapod – simple but oh-so-sweet!
Picking the right location for a simple proposal
So now you’ve decided how and when you want to craft your simple proposal, you need an idea of the best location.
When it comes to a simple proposal, the great outdoors provides many ideas, such as Leigh Caller’s proposal to girlfriend Melissa Duckhouse during a muddy dog walk. “I was wearing wellies!” laughs Melissa. “But it was perfect for us.” Similarly, for Louise McCarney, a walk was the perfect setting for a joint proposal with her partner. “Rory and I proposed to each other while walking in the Peak District,” Louise explains. “We’d picked rings for each other in secret and proposed to each other at the same time.”
Another idea for a simple proposal is to spend the day together doing everything that you love as a couple, whether that is going for a walk, having a picnic, enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine, visiting your favourite museum or going on a bike ride. After a lovely day packed full of your favourite activities, pop the question over dinner. You’ll have connected emotionally during your time together, and it will truly make the day one of the best ever!
If your partner is a night owl or loves the romance of the night sky, then proposing under the stars can be a great simple proposal idea. For the best effect, choose somewhere where you’ll get a beautiful view, either an urban location such as a rooftop or a more rural setting such as a beach. And if getting outside isn’t an option, why not bring the night sky indoors with some glow-in-the-dark stickers or lights? Set up a night scene in your living room or bedroom, and you’ve got the setting for a truly luminous proposal!
