There are too many reasons to count why we love bringing you real weddings here on One Fab Day. It's an absolute joy to learn all about how happily ever after began for our fabulous couples and we are forever swooning over their engagement stories!
We have covered every dilemma imaginable when it comes to asking the all-important question from engagement ring styles to figuring out someone's ring size without them knowing, working out how much to spend on a sparkler to capturing that perfect engagement ring selfie. But if you're wondering how you should pop the question we have 10 sweet proposal ideas from real couples to inspire you. From intimate to grand, get ready to feel all the feels with these romantic gestures of love.
Proposal Ideas from Real Couples
Joy & Mike - A Picture-Perfect Christmas Surprise
Joy and Mike tied the knot at Gloster House on a sun-drenched March day. Just like their stunning celebration, Mike's proposal on a chilly Christmas night was packed with never-forget moments.
"I arrived at his house which had a long driveway and saw loads of fairy lights all lined up the driveway. I hopped out of the taxi and noticed each fairy light had a photo attached to it. In my naivety, I thought it was something his parents had done as for the weeks leading up to Christmas. The closer I got, I realised every picture was of me - or me and Michael! A lot of them were hungover pictures or me making silly faces but by the time I reached the end of the driveway I knew something was going down. I opened the gate and there was Michael on one knee in the garden with candles and music. He popped the question, and I said a massive yes. He went to grab the champagne but instead opened the door to both of our families hiding in the house. Definitely a Christmas to remember!"
Rebecca & Tom - Say it With a Balloon
Rebecca & Tom's Ballymagarvey Village wedding was loaded with heartwarming family tributes, glamour and stunning meadow-inspired floral arrangements. Their engagement story was so heartfelt, you might find yourself tearing up.
"Tom's dad had recently passed and every year we would launch balloons from a bench dedicated to him in a beautifully picturesque spot overlooking Brittas Bay beach, Co Wicklow. On my birthday, he handed me a balloon with the words ‘Will you marry me?’ before getting down on one knee. It was totally unexpected and the perfect proposal, in a place I love with our daughter beside us, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better proposal."
Claire & Karin - A Magical Movie Theatre Moment
Claire and Karin exchanged vows in a wildly stylish wedding in a Scottish castle. They met on the set of the TV show Girlfriends in 2003. Claire was the showrunner's assistant, and Karin was a writer on her first TV job. Coming from completely different parts of the world, their meeting feel like fate. Their proposal story was equally as epic!
"Claire drove me to IPIC Theatre in West Hollywood, where I had agreed to speak on a panel for aspiring filmmakers. This was smart because Claire knew I would never cancel on aspiring filmmakers. When Claire picked me up, Willie Nelson was blasting on the speakers. Inside the movie theatre, the curtain was raised to a screen of Barack Obama and a soundtrack of Etta James's At Last. A movie started playing of all the things I love. Then I saw my face on screen, followed by all my loved ones. At the end of the seven-minute film Claire had made about their romance, 20 friends who had hidden in the theatre popped up. Claire proposed and I gave the easiest 'Yes' of my life. The engagement ring was designed by Claire, and the wedding rings were diamond embedded platinum bands."
Lizette & Andrew - A Cinderella Story
US couple Lizette and Andrew dreamt of a fairytale European celebration and their spring Cabra Castle wedding was drop-dead gorgeous and utterly glamorous. Lizette is a hairstylist and she felt like a princess on the day of her engagement day too thanks to the romantic plan Andrew concocted.
"My proposal was the most elaborate and thoughtful experience. I was 'hired' to work a photoshoot only to find out it was my own. He rented a Cinderella costume and had a full fairytale photoshoot at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. We were picked up in a Rolls-Royce and taken to a castle house where our friends were waiting."
Julie & Paul - The Video Stars
Julie and Paul said yes to forever with a stylish Dublin city celebration with a laid-back vibe which included a tour through the streets with a ukulele band and their guests. They were surrounded by their loved ones when Paul proposed to Julie on Christmas Day in front of all her family and his mum in Co. Laois.
"He had spent months making a video with all the people I love talking about us as a couple. On the video he also had a chat with Emma from Dublin City Hall telling me he had booked City Hall for our day and he had my all time favourite jewellery designer Ruth Tomilson on the video sharing the story of my ring and wishing us well! At the end, he got down on one knee and asked me, at which point I was bawling."
Aoife & Tomás - A Week of Surprises
Tomás and Aoife's wedding at The Shelbourne was all about effortless glamour and featured the prettiest vibrant blooms. The delight was also in the detail as Tomás created a week of surprises for Aoife when he proposed.
"He told me we were heading to his parents' house in Kerry to install a dishwasher. On the way, he suggested stopping for lunch and pulled into Ballyfin Demesne. When we drove up to the front door, there were attendants on-hand with champagne. I hadn't packed anything other than leggings but when they showed us to our suite, Tomás pulled out a bag of new dresses - I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Later, we went exploring the grounds and the round tower nearby. When we reached the top, I was looking out at the view but when I turned around Tomás was down on one knee! The next day, Tomás suggested a drink at the Marker Hotel. Arriving at the rooftop, we were greeted with a huge cheer from both of our families, as organised by Tomás. It was so special! But it didn't end there - the next day we flew to Dubai to pick my engagement ring before spending four nights there. It was a total whirlwind!"
Joanne & Greg - Who Could Say No to Puppy Eyes
Joanne & Greg's Clonabreany House wedding had a simple and elegant vibe with sweet pops of sage green at the fore and phenomenal tweeds. While Greg was actually late for their first date, he pulled out all the stops to pop the all-important question.
"We had our Easter city break already booked to Milan. We aim to have a few days away each year around this time, but this break was to be like no other. Greg spent three months planning the engagement, flying back and forth from Liverpool to Dublin choosing my ring and collecting it. When we got to Milan, Greg guided me into our suite where rose petals covered the floor and the room was decorated romantically with bouquets of red roses, strawberries and champagne, and photographs from previous holidays. He handed me an iPad and made reference to our Dachshund puppy not being able to join us. Pressing play, a video played of our puppy carrying a ring box down our hallway at home. As she brought the ring towards to camera, Greg got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! We cried - I was totally blown away. It was a day I'll never forget!"
Chloe & David - A Story of Love
Chloe and David exchanged vows in a rustic and elegant wedding at Horetown House. Chloe's father played a special part in their wedding creating DIY projects and another very important man in her life made their engagement so special.
Unfortunately, around the time Dave wanted to propose, Chloe’s grandfather was unwell. On a Sunday morning in March 2020, Dave gave Chloe a late Valentine's Day present - a book called The Story of Davis & Clody. "It documented the seven years we'd been together and on the last page it said ‘Will you marry me?’ I was an emotional mess but so surprised and thrilled. We went straight over to my grandad in the care home and luckily he got to see it before he passed 10 days later."
Gráinne & Kieran - Delightful Decorations
Gráinne & Kieran chose the dreamiest colour green, rust and latte colour palette for their Christmas Barberstown Castle wedding. Their adorable engagement took place during the festive season too.
"The proposal was perfect. We were at home putting up the Christmas tree. When finished, Kieran gave me 'an early Christmas present'; two new Christmas tree baubles which had drawings of our cat and dog on them saying they 'hoped I would say yes'. When I looked up, he was down on one knee with the ring… The dog was present also and was very excited with it all!"
Scott & Ploy - A Breathtaking Backdrop
Scott & Ploy's vibrant destination wedding was a double celebration at both sunrise and sunset to include both Thai and Western cultures. They got engaged while on a trip in Arizona and it was also an incredible adventure full of wow moments.
"We drove nine hours from LA and got to our Airbnb in the evening. That night Scott suggested that we watch Disney Pixar's Up, one of my favourite movies and when Mr. Fredrickson's house was up in the air floating in the sky he surprised me and told me that we needed to get up early to get on a hot air balloon ride. The next day we woke up got on a hot air balloon and got to fly over the beautiful Sedona landscape.
Then afterwards we took a nap in our Airbnb and woke up and took a walk to the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. We explored the park and Scott suggested we go explore the area off trail and to the side of the park. He took me to a clearing past some trees surrounding the park that was open and surrounded by the beautiful red mountains. I was looking at the mountains in awe and when I turned around I saw him down on one knee with a ring in his hand. I suspected that he was going to propose but wasn't expecting it to be so early on in the trip. Of course I accepted and was absolutely elated. We both were emotional and teary eyed as we took pictures to commemorate the moment. Afterwards we got champagne to celebrate and spent the rest of the trip celebrating as well."
Preparing to pop the question? Check our guide to managing pre-proposal emotions here.
