Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter - when is best to propose?
Cosy night in vs. summer holiday surprise - when is the best time of year to propose?
Of course we all know Christmas is an incredibly popular time of year to propose (social media feeds are always full of engagement news around 25th December), but maybe you are looking for something a little bit more original to propose to your partner. So, when should you propose??
Ultimately it all comes down to the two of you. Just like every relationship, every proposal is totally unique.
SPRING
There's blossom on the trees, the sun is beginning to shine, and love is in the air. Spring really is a beautiful time of year, full of hope and promise for the year to come.
Photo credit @Pixabay
Proposing in Spring is the perfect way to start your year and put the dark weeks of winter behind you. Maybe you could plan a picnic in your local park or flower field. If you’re based in London, there are loads of options of green spaces to escape the hustle and bustle - Battersea Park, Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath, just to pick out a few! Or if you're near the coast, a gentle walk on the beach would be so romantic, before getting down on one knee.
If you’re feeling sentimental, a treasure hunt would be such a special way to revisit some of your favourite moments in your relationship, with clues and memories hidden in different locations. At Easter time, you could even incorporate clues into an Easter Egg hunt with the ring waiting for them at the end. Don't let the cooler temperatures of Spring put you off - beaches and parks are often quieter than in the Summer, so it may be perfect if you’re after a more secluded proposal surprise.
perfect for:
Couples who want the most beautiful Instagram-worthy proposal. The blossom in the trees and spring colours will be perfect for your engagement photos - get your camera ready!
The tailors recommend:
When you’re setting up for your picnic, load their plate up with food - you could hide the secret message under the food with this personalised plate! Or how about taking a flask of tea and using this amazing mug - a perfect surprise!
SUMMER
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels
Summer is the ideal time for outdoor proposals, with more sunlight hours and (hopefully) less rainfall than other seasons. If you're thinking of a sunset proposal, summer is your best bet.
Imagine walking through a beautiful garden at sunset, musicians appear and start playing, the woman sat on the nearby bench gets up and starts singing. They're playing your partner's favourite songs with details about how much you love each other. This personalised proposal from The Tailors would be an incredibly romantic experience for you both, and would make the most of the Summer warmth.
Photo by Elly Fairytale from Pexels
For a more relaxed and intimate proposal, a walk together at dusk or a night drinking champagne under the stars could offer an amazing surprise. Or maybe something more exciting would thrill them - how about a hike, a theme park or a boat trip? Factor in how busy it will be - would they love the proposal to have onlookers, or would they prefer it to be just the two of you? We’d be happy to help if you need location advice in London - we know of some hidden gems that would allow for an outdoor proposal without the crowds!
perfect for:
Adventurous and outgoing couples. If they’re very outdoorsy, Summer is a great time to propose.
The tailors recommend:
If you know they’d love something bold and high energy, a dance flash mob could be the perfect declaration of love! Contact our Club Mob dance team for more information about that!
AUTUMN
The leaves are turning brown and it's the season of change. The gorgeous autumnal hues can provide the perfect backdrop to your proposal.
Photo by Andrew Neel from Pexels
Autumn is considered to be the most romantic and comforting time of year, as loved-up couples get snuggled up together to stay warm. Though temperatures in Autumn do start to drop a little, sunlight hours are still long until the clocks go back at the end of October, meaning outdoor proposals are certainly not off the cards.
A woodland walk would be a stunning setting for you to get down on one knee, with the leaves all shades of red, orange and brown. Or maybe you'd prefer to propose inside in the warm - how about wine tasting evening, or tasting menu experience at a swanky restaurant? If they're a big fan of Halloween, get creative with pumpkin carving together! Maybe you could carve ‘Will You Marry Me?’ into yours. And pumpkins filled with tealights can be a beautiful alternative to candles to set the mood when you pop the question.
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Photo by Jep Gambardella from Pexels
Romantic couples, foodies and Halloween lovers. Autumn is also the most popular time for birthdays, so maybe you could combine a birthday surprise with a proposal and include some of their friends and family.
The tailors recommend:
Light lots of candles to create a really cosy atmosphere, and make sure you put this proposal candle in pride of place.
WINTER
If your idea of a perfect date is a cosy movie night snuggled up together, then winter may be the perfect time to pop the question.
Photo by Valeria Vinnik from Pexels
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of that doorstep scene in Love Actually where Andrew Lincoln silently declares his love for Keira Knightley with romantic placards?? There’s no better time than in Winter to make those dreams a reality - after all, there’s no better time to tell someone how much they mean to you than at Christmas time.
It's easier than you think to create your own winter wonderland in your back garden - go heavy on the fairy lights and hot chocolate (or mulled wine!!) and you can't go far wrong. You could even hire a snow machine to create the perfect illusion, or use billowing sheets underfoot. We think a fireside makes a gorgeous cosy backdrop for a proposal, or if you'd rather be outside then a firepit or bonfire can work just as well. If you fancy staying indoors, then you could plan a Christmas movie night, make popcorn and snuggle up together.
If you do want to propose on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, make sure you still take them by surprise! Maybe make them a cracker with the ring inside, or surprise them on your Christmas morning walk.
perfect for:
If your perfect date is a chilled night in together, then proposing in Winter would be absolutely perfect.
The tailors recommend:
Suggest decorating your Christmas tree together and sneakily passing them this gorgeous bauble (with engagement ring attached) asking them to marry you.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our advice - if you use any of the ideas to propose, we’d love to hear from you! And whatever the time of year, we can help make your proposal extra special. The Tailors are experts in bespoke surprise proposals, with personalisation to make the experience even more unforgettable and unique for you.