Asking for a woman's hand in marriage is one of the most important things a man will ever do in his life. Therefore, a good deal of thought and planning should go into the event. After you're certain that she is the one for you, go ahead and ask for her father's blessing before your propose. After the blessing is secured, you are ready to ask for the hand of your future wife.
I believe there are five key elements for a successful proposal:
1. Proposals should create a cherished memory.
This is a magical and memorable moment, which will be told and retold over the years to your family and friends, children, and grandchildren. Make it a story worth telling. Make it a memory worth remembering.
2. Proposals should be planned out.
Come up with a plan that shows how much she means to you and that you've thought it through. Frankly, I'm shocked to hear some proposal stories where little or not planning took place. Choosing a beautiful venue that creates a romantic atmosphere to pop the question can be a real plus. Or choose a place that already is near and dear to the two of you. However, be prepared for the unexpected. I've discovered that many times proposals don't turn out as planned.
3. Proposals should be unique.
Don't copy someone else's idea. Come up with your own unique proposal idea. Think outside the box. Remember that every woman is different so make your proposal specific to her taste and personality. Some women would love nothing more than to have their friends and family witness the event, while others would prefer a private and intimate setting with you alone.
4. Proposals should utilize the element of surprise.
Making the proposal unpredictable adds to the excitement. Utilizing the element of surprise heightens the experience and makes it fun! In my next post, I'll share how I proposed to my wife. Needless to say, she was so surprised that she was speechless!
5. Proposals should denote surrender, honor, and respect.
There is no more immediately recognizable romantic gesture than when a man proposed marriage down on one bent knee. his custom has been around for centuries and is still hugely popular today.
Most women find it appealing for a man to propose on one knee. The message behind the gesture can be that the man is offering himself wholeheartedly (surrender) to the woman, elevating her to an exalted position (honor) in the relationship, and offering her the choice (respect) to determine the course of their relationship.
A Burning Love
I recently had the privilege of marrying Nick and Holly Candy. Nick implemented all five elements listed above when he proposed to Holly. Nick, a British Luxury Property Developer, flew Holly Valance, an Australian singer/actress who played a diva in Taken with Liam Neeson, to the Maldives, an island in the Indian Ocean. He proposed on a beach in spectacular style by getting down on one knee as the words, "Will you marry me?" lit up a fiery display behind him. A delighted Holly posted a picture of the proposal on Twitter (see above) and wrote, "And I said YES! Happiest day of my life!!!"
I began their wedding ceremony by saying, "Nick, today is the culmination of that day nearly a year ago when you took Holly to the Maldives and got down on one knee and lit up the sky with the fiery words, "Will you marry me?"
"And here we are. It reminds me of the words of King Solomon who said, 'Love burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.'[1] Why? Because love cannot be bought nor sold - it's priceless. It's a love like this that brings us here today."
This proposal may seem extreme to you, but it fits Nick and Holly.
Now I would love to hear how your fiance or husband proposed to you and I cannot wait to share in my next post how I proposed to my wife.
[1] Song of Solomon 8:6-7
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