See also: the sweetest proposal stories from real brides, 7 points to get your marriage proposal right, and unique and fun proposal ideas you have to see.
Photo: Katie Grant Photography
“The proposal happened at the iconic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France, a place we both love very much. We started with pre-dinner cocktails at the Champagne Lounge, which overlooks the ocean.
I’d booked a cabana for a candlelit dinner right by the water in advance, which is something the hotel doesn’t usually do, and had rose petals scattered on the floor. The proposal happened on the ledge with the most magnificent sunset you could only imagine would happen in the movies.
Sepideh is a huge Disneyland fan, and has even dreamt of getting married there, so I had Disney figurines leading the way to the ledge over the water with the ring in a Disney case. The sun was just about the set when I dropped on one knee and busted out the ring with a yellow pear-shaped diamond.” – Max Loong, Her World Brides September 2016
See also: Max and Sepideh’s wedding prep tips.
Photo: Nicole Then Studio
“Leo wanted to propose at the Bow Bridge in Central Park, Grand Central Station or High Line, a New York City public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side, but both were too crowded. In the end, he asked me in our hotel room, which was what I really wanted, and it turned out to be so much more meaningful. Truly a time I will always cherish.” – Rachel Lim
See also: relationship tips from the couple here and here, as well as their real wedding here.
Photo: Love and Water Photography
“We were diving with sharks and turtles off O’ahu’s northern coastline. As the sun was setting, Maikalani grabbed his camera and asked me to come with him to the tide pools. As he was fiddling with his camera, he said: “Lei! What is that? Is it real?” I looked over to where he was pointing and saw a big cowry shell in a tide pool. I knelt down to pick it up, and when I turned it over, a beautiful oval diamond ring sat snugly in the opening.
I remember thinking we were about to ruin someone’s proposal and that we had better put it back. We were both kneeling, so I didn’t process right away that it was for me! When I did, I started crying and had to nod “yes” because I was speechless.” – Lei Kamahele.
Photo: Chris P Pics
“Yang Kang’s proposal was magical! We were in Amsterdam on holiday when he popped the question. He’d planned it all with our friend Vivienne, who lives in Amsterdam. He wanted to surprise me with a chartered canal cruise. Coincidentally, it took place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival. The moon was exceptionally round and brilliant, and lit up the canal water like floating diamonds. Ten minutes into the boat ride, he diverted my attention to this banner across the bridge that read, “Will you marry me, Jessica Tan?” When I turned back, Yang Kang was already down on one knee with the ring. I was overwhelmed and tears of joy filled my eyes. Of course, I said yes!” – Jessica Tan
Photo: Liam Collard Photography
“Adam had just returned from touring Africa, and surprised me with a short weekday staycation at Capella Singapore on Sentosa. I didn’t think too much about it as he does do these spontaneous things from time to time. I still didn’t suspect a thing even when he had us picked up in the biggest limousine I’d ever seen. We had a romantic candlelit dinner with about 1,000 candles while a three-man acoustic guitar group playing some of my favourite songs. I was completely clueless until he dropped on one knee and popped the question.” – Marvie Tejada
Photo: Caline Ng Photography
“It happened at Central Park during our vacation. We were taking a stroll on a Sunday afternoon and as we walked across the Bow Bridge, Shane led me to a quiet spot with a wooden bench, where a live band, and a bouquet of my favourite white tulips were waiting for me, which I wasn’t expecting to see. We took a seat on the bench while the band crooned a love song.
After the performance, Shane got down on one knee and popped the question. It was a beautiful moment as we soaked up the atmosphere in the scenic city. I was touched by the effort he went through to pull off this proposal. It wasn’t easy coordinating it abroad, especially when I was by his side most of the time!” – Sharon Tan
Photo: Michael Chan, Visual Artisans
“We took a year-long sabbatical from our jobs in New Zealand. On our seventh day there, Max proposed at the Frimly Rose Park in Hastings on the north island. Summer afternoons in New Zealand can be crazily humid, so I had my eyes closed, just as he got down on one knee. I totally missed it!” – Aster Foo, Her World Brides September 2016
Photo: Ebenezer Lim, from The Beautiful Moment Photography
“It was a Saturday night, and we were walking in Bay East Gardens at Gardens by the Bay. He made me climb over a fence and into a restricted area, got down on one knee and proposed. It was simple and honest, which I loved.” – Melanie Tan, Her World Brides September 2016
Photo: Studiokel Photography by Kelly Fan
“My close friend Crystal Goh is a singer-songwriter who lets us watch her perform new songs. One of them was about sunsets and she was going to perform it for us at the Sentosa boardwalk. We gathered there at sunset and she started playing the ukulele.
After the first few chords, I heard another guitar behind me – and there was Shian Wen singing! He proposed afterwards. We even had a boardwalk picnic, with food prepared by his close friends, after the proposal.” – Chua Jia Lin, Her World Brides September 2016
Photo: Fiona Sng and Daniel Wong, from Smittenpixels Photography
“Our proposal story has quite a funny tale behind it. Bob wanted to surprise me – and he did, when I least expected it. After months of planning, he popped the question at the most unexpected time: before we were about to go for our weekly run! He’d arranged for some fairy lights and a handmade “Will You Marry Me” sign along the route. When we got there, he got down on one knee and looked like he was about to retie his shoelace. Then he proposed. I was so shocked, I couldn’t stop laughing, and there we were in our workout gear! It’s definitely a story for the books.” – Dawn Chen
Photo: PixelMusica
“We were in Sentosa and having a romantic discussion about our relationship in the car. Then he pulled out a rose, got very serious and said he was really nervous. Before I knew it, he’d proposed! When we exited the car, he came around to my side, went down on one knee and proposed again. I knew at that moment that I was in for a wonderful life of spontaneity and randomness.” – Elizabeth Ee
Photo: Bridal Concept
“I was with Ben’s parents at the Ritz Carlton Singapore hotel lounge when a waitress handed me an iPad. A video of him travelling to places we’d gone to on dates was playing. When it ended, he appeared in the lounge by the grand piano, and sang our favourite song Always On My Mind. He proposed afterwards. Then we went up to the hotel suite he’d booked and had decorated with fairy lights as well as the photos we’d taken together. I was surprised when friends and family members appeared to congratulate us.” – Celeste Xu
Photo: Colossal Weddings
“Iqbal planned a beautiful candlelight dinner when we were at the Samaya Seminyak – Bali Villa resort. We had our own private set-up with a canopy. He even customised the menu – from the appetisers to dessert – and the dinner ended with fireworks. He proposed when we were strolling on the beach afterwards. It was, according to him, a proposal fit for a princess. I was so touched by such a lovely surprise!” – Samantha Cheng
Photo: Trouve Photography
“Keith had grand plans to propose with a magic trick in a bar, but the magician he had in mind wasn’t available. He eventually popped the question while we were at his place. There were no grand declarations of love, but I could feel his sincerity when he fumbled with the ring box. I thought that was so endearing!” – Lee Xin Hui
Photo: Trouve Photography
“When I was stationed in Germany for six months, Kenneth came to visit and we travelled around Europe over the Christmas holidays. We were in Paris when he proposed. I already knew all about it as my mum let the cat out of the bag when I happened to call home, but he still managed to surprise me. He arranged for a horse carriage ride around the Eiffel Tower, and hired a photographer to capture the big moment. I’m glad he did – if not, I would never have remembered all of the details!” – Emmeline Low