Hi, my name is Amelia. I am the Proposal Planner. I am the one who hears your ideas, finds out about your lady, and then really goes about figuring out the best suited proposal plan for you as a couple (of course I am also very involved in the "date panning" side of things too). I really enjoy my job.

In this line of work, I get a few common questions from friends, family and clients. Some ask what makes me feel capable to do this, others ask me to detail each proposal I have helped to plan. And I could give you a rundown of each and every proposal that I have helped to plan (more than 20 to date) individually. But that’s not the question I am answering for you today. We'll save that for another day, another blog.

Today's big question that I am answering is "What is the way I would like to be proposed to?"

Now that is a big question. I am a woman, and ultimately I do want to be spoiled and treated nicely. Every woman does. Most women will tell you after you have proposed that it really didn’t matter how you did it, it’s the fact that you did propose, that you loved her.

And yes, it is true that you love her and its special. BUT the truth is that every woman I know wants, wanted, or regrets not having, her man pop the big question in a special and unique way.

No lady wants to tell her girlfriends that "he was sitting next to me and said to me there's something he's been meaning to ask, I asked him what, and he said will you marry me". This is not the story she wants to tell! You don’t want to tell your mates that ask how you asked the gorgeous lady on your arm to marry you that you "were sitting in the KFC drive-thru and while waiting for the chicky meal you turned and said 'hey let’s get married'". Or worse yet, putting the ring in a hamburger!

Lets be honest, we are living in a day and age where celebrities are publicizing their romantic proposals which include thousands of rose petals and hundreds of tea light candles. We are living in a techno time when everyone spends hours on YouTube every week watching videos of flash mob proposals. This is the age of reality TV shows like the bachelor & the proposers with romance abounding and unique proposals being published for the world to see.

Let’s face it that your proposal has to be more than dinner at a restaurant and a cupcake for dessert with icing that says "marry me". The truth of the matter is that the way you propose does matter. And will be compared to another couple's proposal.

We are living in a time that a woman is quite likely to say the dreaded two letter negative if you don’t put enough effort into this moment, in fact I actually know some who have done this! If only the gentlemen would use our services, even if you don’t let on that you got these ideas from us (we really don’t need her to know if you don’t want her to), but it is not a shameful thing to get help. In fact it is a sign of humility & gentlemanliness to be willing to get help, it proves that she means that much to you.

And we know it is not always the cheapest thing, but is the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with, the woman you want to be the mother of your children, the woman you want your grandchildren to say was the most beautiful woman on the earth, is that woman worth it? YES SHE IS!

I got a tad sidetracked there, sorry. You can see this is a subject close to my heart. The ultimate way I would like to be proposed to is not such a straightforward answer. The thing is, I deal with so many ideas every day and every week, and all of them hit the cords of my mushy romantic heart. The way I want to be proposed to is a common thought on my mind.

No, a flash mob is not for me. For some ladies, maybe. But I'd like something a little more private.

It will have to involve music, a musician/s would be a super bonus, but even a sound system playing soppy love songs by the likes of Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi & Smokie would do. He should have a bouquet of black calla lilies (guys, take note of what flowers your lady likes. Not all ladies are fond of red roses) and black and white rose petals all over the floor. I would want to be dressed up for the occasion. Jeans and a torn t-shirt are fine for gardening, but not quite how I want to remember my proposal.

I would want him to make sure he has my father's permission first (I'm not that old fashioned, but this is one area you do not mess with tradition), and I would hope he either has my family close by (not in our faces, the actual proposal must be just the two of us) or has my phone close by so I can phone them. And he has to have an incognito photographer to capture the moment, because the moment it special.

He doesn’t have to go down on one knee, although that will be a bonus, but he has to show some respect and not just be sitting next to me.

As for a venue and decor, some girls are city girls and would like a nice hotel suite, or even a hotel ballroom. I think that’s nice, and it would still get a YES out of me. But a chalet in the mountains with 180 degree window views, or a decorated gazebo on a pier is much more my style. I do mention cover/shelter because of weather; I will do a blog post about that in the near future.

But you know with something like this, it is a build up, and I (or your lady) would know what’s coming almost immediately.

I have another friend who says she would not like to have it all built up to a crescendo. She wants it to be a complete surprise. She would prefer her man to take her sky-diving or bungee jumping and when they get to the ground, to drop on his knee and ask her (guys take note, DO NOT LOSE THE RING if you attempt something like this!) to marry him.

So, guys, make sure you know your lady's likes and dislikes. Every woman is different and likes different things. We can only help you as much as the information you give us. Try to over the years or months with her, find out her favorite things, find out what music she likes, what flowers she likes. Is she a private person, or a person who likes to be out in the spotlight? All of this will help us to help you tailor your proposal for her.

Ladies, who are reading this, please tell us your "must haves" for your proposal, whether you have already been proposed to, or if you are still waiting. We would love to hear from you.

Until next time, Hearts & Hugs.