Spring is upon us and love is the air, which means there will be many people in Ann Arbor popping the question. For those experiencing uncertainty about how to propose, we’ve got your back with a few ideas, including one Saline couple’s romantic story for inspiration. For those of you working on wedding logistics and are all for keeping the guest list small, we found a low-stress (and gorgeous) option that takes care of everything for you.
What’s Your Proposal Style?
We can all agree that a marriage proposal should be memorable, but how do you know what your partner prefers for that special moment? In order to decide, think about whether your partner is a bit of an introvert or loves the spotlight. Maybe they’ve shared their thoughts on big romantic gestures while you watched movies together, for example.
While you flip through that mental rolodex of memories to decide what works best for the two of you, we’ve categorized a few proposals to help narrow it down.
The Bold (and Public) Move
If you’ve gotten the sense that your partner really wants to have friends and family present for the proposal, a bit of careful coordinating can easily make that happen. Whether you choose to do this at a party with lots of loved ones or spring for an infographic at a ballpark, this marriage proposal is for couples who don’t mind having all eyes on them.
Saline resident Emily Wood received a special proposal in this vein from her fiance Denver Jackson, who popped the question on the Michigan Theater marquee.
“I am normally pretty good at guessing surprises before they happen,” says Emily, “but Denver and my family tried really hard to throw me off and they succeeded! The week of the proposal, my sisters purposely made it sound like the proposal was far away, and that Denver didn’t even have a ring yet. They helped him plan it out.”
Once Emily saw the sign and Denver got down on one knee to propose, both of their families came out of hiding behind nearby buildings to share in the moment when she said “yes!”
“I was very surprised and it was beyond magical,” Emily shared. “I am still smiling!”
Inspired by Denver and Emily’s proposal story? Contact Andrea Jones at the Michigan Theater to arrange your own marquee proposal. 734.668.8397 ext. 25. ajones@michtheater.org
The Destination Move
Some people prefer to be whisked away to a new location, adding an extra boost of romance and adventure to the marriage proposal. If you are thinking of going this route, it’s important to consider what will make it most meaningful. Taking your partner to the first place you ever exchanged “I love you’s” or back to the place where you had your first getaway together will make quite an impression. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a huge excursion— it’s all about what will have the most impact in terms of sentiment and nostalgia. Trust us on this one.
The More-Private-the-Better Move
Certain introverts (eh-hem, this girl right here) all but break out in hives at the thought of a public proposal. In this case, a simple approach is best. It could be an everyday moment, like having coffee in bed on a Sunday morning when the two of you couldn’t be more content. Moments like this one could be the perfect time to pop the question, so have that ring handy.
Pro-tip: Have an idea of what you’d like to say. Even if you aren’t normally a nervous person, marriage proposals have the tendency to make even the most eloquent speaker turn a proposal into a Bridget Jones-esqe nightmare. You only get one shot at this. Just because it’s in private doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prep a little bit to get past the jitters. Regardless, your introverted partner will appreciate the spontaneity, and they’ll also love that you kept the moment just between the two of you.
Minimalism is In, and so are Tiny Weddings
Picture this: you’re engaged. You start making a list of what you need to figure out in order to make your wedding day happen— the venue, florists, caterers, the officiant, furniture rentals, live bands. Your head, you know, explodes.
At least, that’s what wedding planning can be like for some people who are doing it on their own. You want the planning process to be fun, but it can get a little overwhelming for those of us who aren’t Martha Stewart.
Luckily for you, there is a local option that will make things incredibly simple for planning your wedding day— the Zingerman’s Cornman Farms Tiny Wedding. If you want to keep things really small, inviting only those nearest and dearest to the both of you, this is an ideal option.
The Farm is approaching its third round of custom tiny weddings, with their spring season (April 30-May 2) fast approaching. Each season is unique in that they hire different vendors, and this one features the Detroit Design Co., with their breathtaking elevated garden landscapes.
The tiny weddings are designed for events with four guests, though you can pay $45 per person to add more people. Aside from that, the microwedding package begins at $1,750, which includes the venue for an hour and a half (their 1837 Red Barn), officiant, coordinator, tiny cake by Zingerman’s Bakehouse, bouquet and boutonniere, a wedding keepsake, photography, a wine toast, and even a farm animal visit.
It is becoming increasingly popular to skip overspending on weddings without sacrificing the elegance of what should always be an unforgettable day. The Cornman Farms micro-wedding package is a charming, one-of-a-kind way to save money (and unnecessary stress) so you can focus on what’s important— each other.
Bookings for the spring season close on April 15. Call 734-619-8100 or visit thetinywedding.com to book your wedding today.
