PRESS ROOM:

Rules Of Engagement - How To Pop The Question

Publish Date: 11/30/2004
Author:

TORONTO, November 2004 - The perfect wedding proposal can set the stage for many happy years of marital bliss. With this in mind, the Engagement Experts at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have put together a list of 10 Hot Tips for a Successful Wedding Proposal to help you through this once in a lifetime opportunity. 

1. To Ask or Not to Ask
Individual circumstances determine whether to ask permission from the father. Be respectful of the culture and traditions of your future wife's family. While not as common a practice as it once used to be, it is nevertheless respectful to ask the bride's father for approval before whisking his daughter away.

2. Find Creative Ways to Pop the Question
Proposing to a loved one is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so make it unforgettable and don't be afraid to get creative. At The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, a resourceful fireman once surprised his loved one with a proposal while standing on the ladder of a fire truck carefully positioned outside their hotel room. 

3. Set the Scene
The choice of where to propose depends on the person you want to marry. Perhaps it should be a place that has special meaning for you both, or somewhere exotic, romantic or exciting. Choose whatever is right for your partner, whether it takes a breathtaking backdrop, romantic music, good food, champagne, or a party; uncover the perfect way to your partner's heart.

4. Have Fun!
Give yourself time to get ready, don't forget the ring and look her in the eye, but most importantly, enjoy the moment and have fun with it because the proposal story will be told over and over again.

5. Plan for Success
Plan ahead, visualize what's going to happen and check and double-check all details. Have contingency plans just in case, and choose a day and time of day when your partner will probably be most relaxed.

6. Keep it Secret
While keeping a secret can sometimes be difficult, especially a secret as big as this, in order to keep your proposal a surprise, don't tell anyone that doesn't need to know! If someone you tell accidentally slips the news, your surprise proposal simply won't be the same.

7. Just A Little Help From Your Friends
If you need to, don't be afraid to ask for a little help from your friends and family. The Fairmont Engagement Experts are also just a phone call away at 1-866-ON-1-KNEE or at www.fairmont.com/engaging and are an invaluable source of information and ideas. Whatever the request, the Engagement Experts are available at anytime to make sure that every engaging moment is carried off flawlessly.

8. Speak from the Heart
Be genuine in what you say. Don't worry too much about sounding clumsy or awkward, for as long as you're speaking from the heart and with heart-pounding sincerity, everything will be just fine.

9. A Moment to Treasure
Consider finding a way to capture the moment - the smile on your partner's face and the tears of joy. Be it having someone to take pictures or a friend to videotape the proposal, this is a once in a lifetime event that you'll want to treasure forever.

10. Celebrate!
After you propose, celebrate the moment. This can be done with a bottle of champagne, a romantic dinner, long stem red roses and candles.

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