Here’s what you need to know to plan your show-stopping destination proposal!
Destination Proposal Ideas & Tips
Want an unforgettable way to start a lifetime of adventures together (with amazing photo ops)? Think big with a travel proposal! To make sure all your surprises are planned, follow these destination proposal pro-tips:
Travel Proposal Ideas: the Plan
Consider kicking off your trip with the proposal
One out-there option: propose at the airport! James Allen customers Cristian and Shanna got to enjoy a stress-free trip to Costa Rica to celebrate their engagement moment in LAX.
Coordinate with your museum/hotel/resort
The staff of your proposal location might be able to help you get your moment! Take a cue from James Allen customer Austin – when he proposed to his girlfriend Annie at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, the guard held the ring and made sure they had the tower alone for peak romance.
If you’re staying at a resort, play it like our customer Sean; he kept his engagement ring in the hotel safe before proposing and coordinated his Shangri-La beach proposal to Amy with the resort events management team!
Have a destination proposal back-up plan
Prep a proposal plan B so that you can keep it cool if something goes awry. For those super-planners, set up a back-up-to-the-back-up – this totally saved the day when our customer Tyler proposed to his girlfriend Kristyn during a trip to Seattle!
Travel Proposal Ideas: the Ring
With destination proposals, timing is everything
Found the perfect ring? Make sure you receive it on time! The design process takes about 2-3 weeks on average, so we’d suggest ordering your ring a month in advance of your trip. If you have any questions about shipping or tracking your order, our customer service team is here for you 24/7.
Be prepared for whatever comes your way
Make sure that you have diamond jewelry insurance while you’re abroad, just in case! Also take a copy of your receipt or insurance policy to prove ownership in case you’re stopped at customs (no need to ruin the surprise with awkward attention!).
Travel Destination Ideas: the Pics
Travel photo shoots are awesome destination decoys
The best way to get amazing proposal shots and have your SO not suspect a thing? Propose while taking pictures together at a gorgeous locale. Get your inspiration from Briana and Maria’s picturesque Venetian proposal!
Bonus: plan the proposal somewhere your SO has always wanted to go for an extra personal touch, like Lucas’s NYC proposal to Stephanie.
Do some research into the view and surroundings
Search images of the perfect spot, or if you’re able, scout out the spot yourself in advance. Think about how easy it is to get to, the lighting, and the magic of the surroundings. Need some inspiration? Check out Jennifer and Hector’s gorgeous Iceland glacier proposal.
Including a historic monument in your destination proposal? Back up!
Famous tourist spots can make for epic proposals, but they tend to be, well, monumental. Think like James Allen customer Ryan’s proposal to Jessica in front of the Eiffel tower and propose far enough away to get famous spots in the shot.
Start with your passport to proposal… Shop the perfect engagement ring!
Back to the basics: Buying an Engagement Ring 101 * How to Propose
Stay tuned to this proposal series for expert advice about proposing on a budget, collaborating on the ring, and more.
Finding this travel proposal advice helpful or have tips of your own to share? Let us know in the comments below or on our social channels: Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter.
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Tova is a lover of fantastic stories, and although she is skeptical of romantic comedies, she can quote most of the classics by heart.