Wedding

23 Most Clever, Fun Marriage Proposal Ideas for 2024

by: Caylie Herrmann

Last Updated on Jan 10th 2024

Are you wracking your brain for interesting marriage proposal ideas for your big day? You want your proposal to be perfect and you won’t settle for less. Why should you? You love your partner and you want to give them a proposal they’ll remember.

But what are some of the best proposal ideas that are classic, fun and memorable? We’re here to help! Read on to learn about some of our favorite unforgettable proposal ideas.

Creative Marriage Proposal Ideas

1. A Romantic Paint and Sip Surprise

We bet you haven’t heard this one before. Why not propose during a fun paint and sip night? It’s a cute marriage proposal idea for anyone with an artsy side.

First, find a paint and sip near you. You can find paint and sip in San Diego, paint and sip in Los Angeles, paint and sip in NYC and really, anywhere across the country. It’s so popular that you shouldn’t have a problem finding a class.

While your partner is sipping wine and painting what the instructor is painting, you’ll be painting something different. Your proposal! You could also try to arrange a wedding-related painting with the instructor for an added bit of romance.

paint and sip marriage proposal idea — *via Canva*

2. A Handmade Pottery Proposal

Pottery can totally be romantic. You’ve seen Ghost, right? Find some pottery classes near you a few weeks before your planned proposal. Again, no matter where you are, you shouldn’t have a hard time. There are pottery classes in the Bay Area, pottery classes in Houston, pottery classes in NYC and elsewhere.

Make something special for your partner, and before you dry or fire it, carve your proposal into the piece (or paint it on the bottom when you’re done). When you give it to your partner, they’ll see the special proposal.

3. An Impressive Dance Proposal

Give your marriage proposal ideas some rhythm by signing up for dance classes near you. Find a great partner dance. Whether you’re taking salsa dance classes in Las Vegas, swing dance classes in NYC or ballroom dance classes in the Bay Area, you just want something that will get you dancing close together.

Once you have a few classes under your belt, take your partner dancing and propose on the dance floor after your routine.

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4. Propose With a Custom Song

If you want a truly unforgettable proposal idea, write (and perform) a romantic proposal song. This is one of the best marriage proposal ideas for musicians (even if they’re just hobbyists). It’s like a better and more fun marriage proposal speech.

If your partner is a private person, do this somewhere intimate. If they like a bit of razzle-dazzle, consider performing your proposal at a local open mic!

Foodie Marriage Proposal Ideas

5. A Surprise Cooking Class Engagement

Who doesn’t love food? Look up cooking classes near you for this tasty marriage proposal idea. Take a cooking class together and find one that reminds you of your partner.

For example, take cooking classes in Minneapolis to make your first date meal, cooking classes in Houston to make their favorite meal or cooking classes in St. Louis to make a meal that you have an inside joke about. You can even take online cooking classes if you’d prefer to stay home.

Then, once it’s time to make the meal for real in your own kitchen, make it a whole event. Give your partner the romantic restaurant experience, ending, of course, with the proposal.

couple posing with spaghetti after cooking class — *via Classpop!*

6. A Quiet Engagement Over a Wine Tasting

What’s the most romantic way to propose? Well, it probably includes wine. Wine feels like the official drink of romance. You can set up virtual wine tastings at home for a romantic evening. Make sure to prepare a nice charcuterie board while you’re at it to elevate the experience.

You could just propose at the end of the tasting, but for an extra-creative surprise, consider having your own custom wine label made so your partner can see the proposal on the bottle. The bottle will also make an awesome souvenir.

7. A Custom Cocktail Proposal

It’s time to take some online mixology classes for this marriage proposal idea. Learn how to make a romantic cocktail with your partner’s favorite liquor. When it’s time to show off your skills, present the cocktail in the fanciest glass you can find with a special surprise in the glass. The ring!

Tip: Make sure they see the ring before drinking! When you start looking for engagement party ideas, consider making that cocktail the official drink of the party.

8. A Fortune Cookie With a Surprise

Does your partner love getting Chinese food takeout? Surprise them with a custom fortune cookie for this marriage proposal idea.

Make your own at-home Chinese takeout-style meal, complete with fortune cookies. Write your proposal on the fortune and make the “lucky numbers” the current date and the date you met. Be ready with the ring!

At-Home Marriage Proposal Ideas

9. An At-Home Dance Session Proposal

Who doesn’t love an at-home dance party? If you’re looking for romantic proposal ideas at home, this is a sweet one. Set up a romantic dance night at home with online dance classes. By the end of your class, you’ll either be laughing at your lack of rhythm or having fun with your newfound dance skills.

While you’re moving and grooving, your body will be producing endorphins, and according to the National Library of Medicine, those endorphins make you happy. Your partner will be in a great mood when you pop the question.

couple dancing in the bedroom at home — *via Canva*

10. A Proposal Over a Competitive Game Night

Is your partner competitive? Here’s a marriage proposal idea for her (or him!). Set up a game night. Virtual game nights will get your competitive spirits flowing. You can play one-on-one or invite your friends to online trivia games, virtual scavenger hunts, virtual escape rooms and more.

Bring some board games too to round out the night. Let your partner win the last round and tell them to close their eyes for their prize. When they open them, you’ll be holding out their new engagement ring! You’re the prize.

11. A DIY Decorated Proposal Scene

This might be a bit corny, but it’s one of the cutest romantic proposal ideas at home. While your partner isn’t home, decorate the bedroom, living room, or even the entire house like it’s out of a cheesy rom-com.

Put a trail of rose petals leading to the engagement spot, hang decorations, and light candles. Go over the top. When your partner gets home, you’ll have a sweet proposal ready.

12. A Time Capsule (With a Surprise)

For an especially memorable marriage proposal idea, tell your partner you want to make a time capsule of their relationship. You’ll be spending time going over old memories and souvenirs while you put it together.

When you’re getting ready to close the capsule, pop the question. Bonus tip: use an instant camera to take a photo so you can put your first official engaged photo in the time capsule.

13. A Romantic Movie Night Engagement

So you wanna know “How can I propose to my girlfriend romantically?” For a simple marriage proposal idea at home, take some tips from your favorite romantic movies. Set up a romantic movie night (complete with popcorn, of course) and let your partner get into the lovey-dovey mood.

Pick a good proposal scene, and when the character pops the question and starts their marriage proposal speech, you can do the same.

romantic movie night proposal ideas — *via Canva*

Unique Marriage Proposal Ideas

14. A Handmade Bouquet Proposal

Sure, you could buy a bouquet for your wedding proposal idea, but why not make one? You can learn how from the comfort of your own home in virtual flower arranging classes. You’ll be making beautiful flower arrangements in no time. Hide the ring in the bouquet and leave it for your partner to find.

15. A Special Hand-Sewn Secret

Sewing isn’t just a practical skill. If you take sewing classes, you can make something that will bring your marriage proposal idea to life.

We love embroidery projects for cute proposal ideas. Make a sweet embroidered proposal, and with a single thread, stitch the ring at the bottom so it’s easy to remove. This is a simple proposal idea that makes an impact.

16. A Gorgeous Glass Proposal

If you’re really ambitious, go for glass. Take some glass blowing classes with an expert and learn how to make fantastic and beautiful glass items. When you’ve created something awesome, get your proposal etched into it and give it to your partner as a gift.

It will also be a sweet keepsake. Bonus: you’ve also now learned how to make custom glass gifts for married couples.

17. A Hand-Built Ring Box

Speaking of hand-making things, why not make your own ring box? Your partner deserves something from the heart, and if you’re looking for heartfelt proposal ideas for her, you can’t get much better than something handmade.

Take some woodworking classes to learn the basics. Small boxes aren’t difficult, but you’ll want an expert to help you out. If you tell them that you’re trying to make a box for a marriage proposal idea, we’re sure they’ll help you create something perfect.

woodworking class marriage proposal idea — *via Canva*

18. A Romantic Scavenger Hunt

This is one of the most fun and unique ways to propose. Set up a scavenger hunt either at home or around town. Leave clues for your partner that will eventually lead them to where you’re waiting with a ring, a photographer, and a fantastic proposal. This is a sweet and cheesy marriage proposal idea.

19. An Unforgettable Street Performance

So you’re wondering “How can I make my marriage proposal special?” Well, if you can’t do it on your own, have a street performer do it. Pay a local street performer to make your marriage proposal idea really pop. Whether it’s a musician, a character performer or even a mime, they’ll help make your marriage proposal idea unforgettable.

Simple Marriage Proposal Ideas

20. A Romantic First Date Recreation

Do you remember your first date? Recreate it! If you still live in the same area, go back to the same spot at around the same time for a sweet date. The only difference will be that this date ends with a sweet proposal.

21. A Casual Picnic Proposal

As far as simple proposal ideas go, this may be the simplest. Set up a fantastic picnic with your partner’s favorite foods. Pick a picturesque location with a great view. When you’re both feeling relaxed and full, take the final thing out of the picnic basket: the ring.

Tip: Have a friend nearby to capture the proposal on camera.

two couples celebrating engagement at a picnic — *via Canva*

22. A Vintage Photo Booth Surprise

Can’t afford a photographer? Don’t worry. This marriage proposal idea comes with its own keepsake. Go to an old-fashioned photo booth and take some silly pictures. For the last two, hold the ring out and pop the question to capture your partner’s authentic reaction in a photo.

23. A Custom Jigsaw Puzzle

Does your partner love puzzles? Make them a custom proposal puzzle! As long as you’re willing to wait, you can even make it pretty challenging. You can use a photo of you holding up the ring or holding a “will you marry me” sign to make your perfect (and puzzling) proposal.

So, which of these sweet marriage proposal ideas will you use? The big day is coming up, so use these ideas to make it perfect. Good luck!

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