Popping the Question? Here Are Some Simple Proposal Ideas for You

You know you have found the love of your life and you are ready to ask her to marry you. You also know that you are not a fancy kind of person, nor is your bride-to-be. You aren’t the type of guy who is going to skywrite “Will you marry me?” nor have your question broadcast over the PA system the next time you both are on an airplane together.  No, these proposal ideas are just not meant for you. In fact, you are more down-to-earth, discreet people and you want your proposal to reflect that. Here are some proposal ideas that are simple yet elegant, making this important event special yet not showy.

1. The classic idea for proposal

You can never go wrong with the iconic act of proposing:  You get down on one knee, present a small jeweler’s box with the ring inside, and say “will you marry me?”.  This is one of the simple marriage proposal ideas which is authentic and, at the same time, always lovely. It’s up to you to choose the place: in your home, or while out on a stroll.  Since you are going for something private, you will want to do this where there are no crowds or an audience because that would spoil the effect.  You would have loads of people whipping out their cell phones to capture your special moment. That negates the simple, unadorned quality of classic proposal ideas like the one mentioned here.

2. The steamy marriage proposal words

This is one of the proposal ideas that will not cost you a dime!  Before she wakes up, you go into the bathroom.  Put a bit of soap on your finger, then write your “Will you marry me?” message on the mirror above the sink.  When she takes a shower, the room will steam up and your message will appear. Make sure you are outside the bathroom door so you can hear her screams of delight and, most importantly, her big “YES!”

If you are looking for at home proposal ideas, then you can add this one to your list.

3. The jewelry box surprise

Here’s another simple, cost-free way to deliver your important question.  Place the engagement ring amongst her other rings in her jewelry box. She’ll be perplexed at first, so when she comes out of the room and says “what’s this?”, drop to your knee.  She’ll know what’s coming up before you even have time to say “Will you marry me?”

Think of simple ‘will you marry me’ ideas, you have this one added to your list.

4. The literary proposal

Are you good with words?  Then write a letter to your fiancé which is one of the best ways to propose. Go to the crafts store to select a beautiful piece of paper—they will have handmade, high-quality paper made of linen or other stock.  Or, at the card store, select a nice card with plenty of blank space where you can write your message. You can include love poetry from Shakespeare or another favorite poet, as well as your own words describing your feeling about your beloved and what you hope for your shared future. Leave the letter and the ring at her place at the breakfast table. What a beautiful way to start the day and a simple marriage proposal to design!

5. Capping off a perfect day

Well! This is one of the most simple proposal ideas one can possibly think of. Spend the day together, really focusing on each other.  Maybe a drive out into nature, where you can walk and just talk.  Don’t talk about your future, or even hint that you might be thinking of proposing.  Just connect emotionally. At the end of the day, when you’ve stopped for a bite to eat on the way home, pop the question.  It will be the highlight of a day that you’ve spent feeling close to each other.

This can be one of the unique proposal ideas you can come up with if nothing else hits your brain. 

6. Beautiful fonts

You’ll want to spend some time looking at all the various fonts that your computer and printer can create.  Once you have selected four of them, print out the words “Will You Marry Me?” on four sheets of paper—one word per sheet.  Then mix up the sheets of paper and put them on the floor. When she walks in the room, she may be puzzled for a moment, but she will quickly figure it out, especially if she is a fan of anagrams.

Thinking of surprise proposal ideas? Maybe this is one of the proposal ideas you can come up with if you had limited time to plan and prepare.

7. Return to the place where it all started

This is definitely one of the unique proposal ideas in the entire list. Take your girl back to where you first connected.  If it was an internet date, go back to the bar, coffee shop or restaurant where you first met up.  If it was at a friend’s party, ask that friend to set up a dinner party where you can pop the question, making sure you explain why you are doing this at your friend’s place.  If you had a random meeting, such as in the produce section of a supermarket, arrange to go there. Wherever it is, you’ll want to prepare a small speech explaining why you’ve brought her to “this place”.  But she will probably know why…because first meetings are always remembered!

Romantic proposal ideas such as this will surely fetch a big ‘YES’ from your person.

8. Text the question

If you both are just chilling and looking at stuff on your phones, send her a “Will you marry me?” text.  The surprise and informality of this method will make for a great story for years to come.

Quite a simple way to propose!

9. For book lovers

This is one of the easiest proposal ideas for those who are in desperate need of simple ideas for proposal yet wish to make it simple but romantic at the same time.

Check her book wishlist on Amazon, and buy one of the books you know she wants to read.  Insert a handmade bookmark in the middle of the book, upon which you have written: “Will you marry me?”  Hopefully, she will see it before she gets to the middle of the book!

10. On the beach

Write your proposal in the sand (far away enough from the water so a wave won’t erase it).  Line up shells to form an arrow leading to the message. This is one of the age-old ideas on how to propose and can be your favorite in the list of proposal ideas. What do you think?

11. For candy lovers

Buy a big bag of Hershey’s Kisses and spell out “Will you marry me?” with them.  Make sure you give her a big kiss (a real one!) when she says yes. This is one of the cutest yet romantic proposal ideas of all. 

Marriage proposal ideas don’t need to be big and definitely require no complicated events.  You can do a lot using these low-cost, modest ways to pop the question.  Just know that however you do it, the important thing is that you hear a happy “yes” from your bride-to-be.  That’s the memory you’ll cherish for years to come. Take help from our list of proposal ideas and script your most cherished memory.