How To Set Up a Proposal

The day has finally come to set up your proposal! You’ve carefully planned everything, worked out the styling, arranged your suppliers, purchased all required props, and found the perfect moment and place to propose – well done!

If you haven’t worked out all of the above, then you’re going to want to read our ‘How to Propose, top tips!’ blog first, as this will give you an idea of what happens BEFORE the actual proposal moment. Now, let’s go through the process of how to set up a proposal!

STEP 1: WORK OUT IF YOU’LL NEED HELP ON THE DAY

Asking someone to help you out on the day like a best friend, sister, or proposal planner can really help simplify your day as realistically, you can’t be in more than one place at one time. To ease the pressure off yourself, here are some of the things you’ll need help with on the day:

• Executing your cover story
• Getting your partner to the proposal location on time (either yourself, family or friends)
• Making sure your partner is dressed for the occasion
• Liaising with suppliers onsite (photographer, florist etc.)
• Setting up the decorative props
• Queuing the music
• Packing up afterwards so you can head off to celebrate

These are just a few examples of how much work goes into setting up a proposal, so if you want some peace of mind, we highly suggest getting someone onboard that can make the day less stressful for you, so that all you do is focus on looking good and popping the question!

Top tip: Ask us for help!

STEP 2: PREPARE FOR WEATHER CONDITIONS

You can never be too prepared for the weather, and we know what it’s like; sometimes it can change on you last minute and you will need to know what to do! You’ve woken up and It’s at 50% chance of rain for your proposal and you’re unsure of what to do? Think about the risks that are involved in setting up a proposal; props potentially getting ruined + extra costs from suppliers for damages, your partner getting soaked etc. So, taking these risks into consideration means you need a backup wet weather location in place. Keep it in mind that when you’ve decided, it’s important to communicate your new location with your suppliers/family and friends.

Top tip: If the weather also says there will be high winds, we suggest bringing sandbags to weigh your props down.

STEP 3: SET UP YOUR PROPOSAL SETTING

a) Set up your bigger props first
You (or whoever you’ve delegated to set up and pack down) have arrived at your location; suppliers are onsite and are on standby ready to start the proposal set up. Start by setting up your bigger props first:

• MARRY ME sign
• Carpet aisle
• Backdrops
• Large florals
• Plinths

This creates a guide for your other props in your setting before you start on the fiddly decorations. Angle your carpet aisle or backdrop so that it is positioned with the best view behind it for photos and keep everything symmetrical on both sides of your proposal setup.

Top tip: Confetti machines, rose petal cannons, smoke machines and Pyrotechnic sparks are epic WOW factor elements that will help you create a grand proposal setting.

b) Add the decorative elements
It’s time to add in the decorative elements to your proposal setup and start to fill in the gaps.

• Flowers and vases
• Candles and lanterns
• Rose petals
• Couple photos
• Fairy lights.

These elements can really help set the romantic mood and create a full and luxurious proposal setup. As above, keep everything symmetrical where possible and try and group your candles into groups of three to create little clusters.

Top tip: If your proposal setup is outdoors, place the rose petals down last so they don’t blow away! Having silk rose petals inside and real petals outside and ensuring candles are LED battery powered prevent them blowing out in the wind or burning down your venue (better to be safe than sorry!).

STEP 4: ADD THE FINAL TOUCHES

Now that your main setting is complete, you need to add a few final touches to top it all off.

• A beverage to cheers with (don’t forget the glassware, bucket and ice)
• Some catering to enjoy (cheese platter, dessert platter, chocolate fondu or picnic hamper)
• A speaker with a romantic playlist and their favourite song
• A love letter from you to your partner for them to keep (cute!)

STEP 5: EXTRA TIPS

We have added a few more tips for you to make the day super successful:

• Having a photographer capture the moment is an amazing way to be able to look back on your special day forever and share your proposal moment with all your loved ones!
• Don’t forget the RING!
• Adding in music or a couple song, if you have one, will create a personal, romantic vibe to your marriage proposal.
• Make sure you have an outfit planned
• Be sure to get a haircut before the day
• Make sure your partner gets their nails done just before the big day (they will love you for this!)

HOW WE CAN HELP

It can be a lot to take in when planning a whole marriage proposal, but we hope this handy list has helped you on the day. Of course, reach out to our expert proposal planners for help if you need!

My Proposal Co. offer DIY proposal packages where you can hire all the props your need for your setting in Melbourne and Sydney. If you are ready to propose and need our help with your proposal setup, fill out our enquiry form and we will be in touch to help you plan the proposal of your partner’s dreams.

After more tips and tricks on how to plan your proposal? We have you covered with our new How To Propose series on Youtube. Our lead proposal planner covers everything from choosing your proposal location to what you should say on the day! Subscribe to My Proposal Co. on Youtube now to start watching.