Propose To My Girlfriend

There have been many famous wedding proposals throughout history, but was anyone prepared to go as far as England's King Edward VIII to marry their sweetheart? Doubtful. Find out what he gave up to marry.

Not everyone proposes like you and I. Some proposals are either unique or are made by celebrities and a guaranteed to be remembered for years. Here are some famous wedding proposals that we may never forget. Use them for inspiration when planning your own proposal. (You are planning yours, aren’t you?)

Perhaps the most famous proposal, if not for the actual proposal itself, but for the people involved and what the groom to be sacrificed, is the proposal of King Edward VIII  of England. Sharp readers will note that he’s no longer the king, and hasn’t been for over half a century. Part of that is due to his death in 1972, but King Edward VII actually abdicated his throne, just gave it up, to propose to the woman he loved. Quitting your job for your girlfriend is one thing, but giving up the helm of an entire empire is quite another.

Here is one wedding proposal that will be tough to top, literally. When singer Seal proposed to his super model girlfriend Heidi Klum, he did it in a custom built (really, aren’t they all?) igloo in Whistler, BC. To make it even more remarkable, the igloo wasn’t in Whistler Village, just a short hop from the Longhorn Saloon. No, Seal pulled out all the stops and had his proposal igloo built on a glacier at over10,000 feet above sea level. Did she like it? Klum called the proposal a “Once in a lifetime event.” and said “Yes!”

Uber Novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald proposed to his wife to be, Zelda Sayre, immediately after the success of his first novel, This Side of Paradise. Like many would be husbands, his future father-in-law was none too impressed with Fitzgerald’s prospects for supporting his daughter. In retaliation, F. Scott wrote a bestseller, then sent his girlfriend an engagement ring with a proposal note. In a classic, romantic twist the engagement ring he used was originally his mother’s. What did the wedding proposal of one of the best writers of the 20th century say? “Darling, I love you so much, much, much that it hurts every minute I’m without you. Goodbye, My own Wife.”  Maybe not a master work, but short, and to the point.

Although experts agree it is best to propose with an engagement ring, some people just don’t listen. Take ex-President Bill Clinton, for example. When he proposed to his future wife Hillary, he reportedly exclaimed “I bought that house you like, so you better marry me because I can’t live in it by myself”. If you can’t buy your girlfriend a house just yet (although interest rates are low, and home prices have never looked better in some areas) just stick with a diamond. Even Clinton eventually popped for one. Hillary now sports an estimated 3 carat rock.

Not everyone can propose on stage, but if you’re an NFL superstar and your girlfriend is a gorgeous actress, you can probably pull it off. In  1998, that’s just what former Giants DB Jason Sehorn surprised dark haired beauty Angie Harmon with, right on the set of the Tonight Show, in front of Jay Leno, the studio audience, and the millions watching at home.

The astonished Harmon promptly sputtered “Oh, Baby, Yes!” and the couple enjoyed a song by Elton John, who happened to be in attendance. Sehorn did the classic, down on one knee proposal, the difference being, of course that he was on live TV in front of millions. You would probably find yourself in a slightly different environment.

One of the best known marriage proposals of the 20th century wasn’t even real. It existed only on the set of the 1990’s TV smash hit Friends. Like the Sehorn / Harmon proposal, it too was viewed by millions. In a conclusion many Friends fans awaited for what seemed like years, Monica and Chandler proposed to each other in a romantically packed proposal. The room was decorated and hundreds of candles lit throughout the room.
Here are the words Chandler spoke as he delivered his wedding proposal to Monica on Friends:
“I thought that it mattered what I said or where I said it. Then I realized the only thing that matters is that you. You make me happier than I ever thought I could be, and if you’ll let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way. Monica, will you marry me?”

When writer / director Jesse Warren proposed to his actress girlfriend Autumn Reeser (The O.C., Valentine, Entourage) in Los Angeles, he devised a scavenger hunt that would have Reeser going to all the important spots in their relationship. Eventually the hunt led to dinner at a romantic restaurant in Malibu, where Warren proposed with a vintage, 1910 engagement ring.

Okay, so that may not be a truly famous proposal, but it is romantic and many women would love it.

This one, however involves celebs who are considerably more well known, and was witnessed by thousands of people. When country superstar Garth Brooks proposed to fellow country superstar Trisha Yearwood in 2005, he did so at a live awards ceremony in Bakersfield, CA, in front of the roughly 7,000 in attendance.

Part of the ceremony included uncovering a large,bronze statue of Brooks. Unbeknownst to Yearwood, Garth had the sculptor include a wedding band on his finger. The couple stood there as the cover came off, and Brooks pointed out the ring on his likeness’ finger. He then removed his cowboy hat(!), got down on one knee, and delivered his proposal; the classic “Will you marry me?” She, of course, said yes.

These are just a few of the famous proposals delivered throughout history. Although you may not have the means or desire to emulate them, you can glean some inspiration that can help you with your own wedding proposal. Good luck!