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Proposing with the weather in mind

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:01:06 +0100

Durban is one of the most popular cities in South Africa to choose when planning your proposal. For locals and vacation proposers alike, Durban really fits the checklist when choosing which city to propose in.

ü Is it warm all year long? YES

ü Does it have a choice of awesome & clean Beaches? YES

ü Does it have a relaxed vibe that will calm down the Proposer when he wants to pop the question? YES

ü Does it have a selection of outdoor romantic activities & venues? YES

ü Does it have musicians & other performers and artists that can help to make your proposal personalized? YES

ü It’s a holiday city, does it have venues that are not over crowded so you can propose in private even in holiday season? YES

ü Does it have iconic landmarks that make for awesome background photos for your proposal? YES

And of course don’t forget, this is really where we are based too, so it also has the professional Proposal Planners here to help you.

But, even this wonderful & warm city with all its outdoor activities does sometimes get weather that makes an outdoor proposal not so great. You can't comfortably drop to your knee and ask your girlfriend to marry you on the beach when there is 50km/hr wind gusting by. And she really won’t be impressed if you try to do a helicopter flight in the rain where you cannot see 50 meters out the window. So what do you do?

Most proposals are planned weeks or even months in advance. They require a ton of planning, getting vendors together, and payment in advance.

If you are planning your proposal through Romantic Events we will always ensure that if you have an outdoor proposal that is set on definitely being outdoors (bungee jumping, tree top tours, horse riding on the beach) we can postpone the event within a couple of days leeway to avoid the rain. We would recommend if you are doing your own planning, that you also do this.

It can be a disappointment to have to postpone something you have taken weeks to mentally and emotionally prepare for. But remember it will be better to postpone by about a day or two, than to ask her in miserable weather and get the dreaded two letter negative from her.

But what if the proposal you have planned is not actually one that has to be outdoors? What if it is a picnic on the beach, or a surprise flash mob on the promenade, or just maybe you have planned a romantic stroll through the botanical gardens and want to pop the question in the Orchid Garden with a musician serenading you? Is there a chance you can make slight changes to your plan that will make it possible to still go ahead? Yes!!!

And don’t we all love to hear a "YES" when discussing this topic? "But how?" you will be asking by now.

Well, if you have chosen to make use of our services here at Romantic Events we have a few tricks up our sleeve.

If you want a fairly simple, yet still very romantic option (like a surprise beach picnic) we can set it all up in your own home or hotel room. So you would take your girlfriend out, perhaps to the spa for a luxury treatment (and to make sure her nails are done) and arrange to leave us with a key to your place. We'll go in (obviously respecting your privacy, you're welcome to leave someone you trust with us) and make a candlelit, rose petal covered, gorgeous romantic set-up. We can either stick around to clean-up afterwards, or we can leave the clean up for you to do, and you can return all of the hired props & equipment to us the next day.

If you have chosen a more detailed option, with vendors (like a mime, musician, fire thrower, etc) and larger props, there are a couple of options we can give you.

Firstly we would greatly advise that although Durban is well known for its summery weather all year round, it does have a windy & a rainy season (August is the windy month & September, October and March are the rainy months) which is best to avoid.

Secondly we will be watching the weather report in the weeks & days approaching your proposal. So if within about 3 or 4 days before the planned proposal day it looks like there really will be inclement weather for your proposal we will make an alternative plan. Either we will hire a marquee & decorate it for you. Or we will move your venue to a nearby nice indoor hired hall/room and decorate it as best we can.

But dear gentlemen, do not despair, we have not yet had so much as one case which has been utterly rained out or blown away to an extent that we can call it a disaster. We have had the occasional slight drizzle on the beach (we ensure beach umbrellas are close on hand), but that has actually turned out to make the whole experience more romantic.

Remember, the next vacation season, with plenty of public holidays is just around the corner in April. So make sure you do your Romantic Event booking early, as we are already getting booked up quite quickly!

And in March, April & May Durban is known to have some of the most fantastic weather ever!

Until Next time hearts & hugs

Some pictures in this article have been borrowed. Thank you to "The Heart Bandits", "How He Asked" and our other sources.

My Ultimate Proposal

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 12:45:14 +0100

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.

Recent Proposals

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 19:31:19 +0100

In the last 2 months we have been very busy, but also very privileged to help with 5 marriage proposals.

Two of them were done in association with Horse Beach Rides. With the Horse Riding proposals the couple will arrive at the Horse Beach Rides’ farm, Equine Ranch, and be assigned horses, given a basic induction, and then head out on the ride. The ride takes them through lovely bush trails, along a short piece of road, and onto the beach. The beach that is used is Reunion Beach, this is a quite & safe beach that is really beautiful, one of the lesser known beaches of the greater Durban. While at the beach they stop for a break and get handed a picnic basket & beach mat. They get to choose a nice spot to have their picnic where he proposes & our stealth photographer follows behind and takes shots of the proposal. After which they ride back to the farm.

The other three proposals we did in the last 2 months were rather different.

One we did was a “love boat” sunset cruise. This gentleman wanted something private and up-market for his girlfriend. So we suggested a boat ride. It included decorating the boat with hearts & roses, a nice picnic blanket & plush cushions. We supplied a picnic & champagne, and had a photographer on board. The couple arrived and the boat got going, we did a cruise around the Durban harbor & the proposal went off lovely with a very happy yes.

Another was a helicopter flight in association with JNC Helicopters. This gentleman really wanted a “once in a lifetime” experience for him and his girlfriend. So we suggested the Helicopter Mountain Picnic, which he loved. They arrived at the Virgina Airport, and along with their photographer got whisked away, along the coast, up the umgeni river, and all the way to Inanda Dam. At a certain mountain on the side of the Inanda Dam they landed for a picnic. With the pilot leaving them in peace, and the photographer going for a “short walk” to give them space & privacy, our gentleman dropped to his knee and proposed with a gorgeous view behind them. Of course she too said yes, and our photographer caught it all on camera.

Our most recent proposal was a special one. This was a gentleman who wanted to propose to his girlfriend on their dating anniversary. So we suggested a private romantic picnic as a surprise for his lady. We chose a nice spot on the beach (again we used the lovely Reunion Beach in Durban South) where we could see both the Sunset & the sea. This spot was lovely with its characteristic “ghost” trees, and view of Durban’s inland basin. We got a lovely picnic made up, a nice blanket & plush cushions to make a “love nest”, and lots of hearts & silk roses. We made a pathway by putting roses in the sand, and a “message in a bottle” declaring his everlasting love for her in the middle of the pathway. We got pretty red hurricane lanterns, and rose petals across their picnic blanket. And then we waited for their arrival with a photographer hidden in the bushes. They arrived and thoroughly enjoyed their picnic, and after watching the sunset, he dropped to his knee and she said yes.

So we say “Congratulations on your engagement” to Van & Jothi, Reinhard & Charne, Jamie & Michelle, Manuel & Dinette and Vishay & Leesha .

Dear reader, Will you be next to get engaged?

Romance and Proposals

Fri, 31 May 2013 20:58:16 +0100

My apologies for not putting up a blog in a while. You know how life goes, it starts with you planning to do something regularly (for example, a blog), and before you know it, everything gets put on the back burner and only the essentials are left. That’s how life goes these days. It’s a good thing though, because we are so busy with Romantic Events, Special dates, and Proposals.

Ok, enough rambling, and more to the point of why you are looking at this site, awesome, adorable, romantic Proposals (and other events).

Let’s start with one of the recent Proposals we had, a couple of weeks ago a gentleman contacted us asking about one of our signature proposals. What he envisioned was actually the thing that got me started on doing proposals, a Horse Ride on the Beach for him and his girlfriend with a twist to it.

And so we got to work.

We organized the Horse Ride on the Beach and she even got to ride a stunning white horse! They came to a picnic site on the Beach with the waves lapping just a few meters away. We had set up a Romantic Picnic and Champagne to celebrate with. A mat had been put down for them to sit on, along with rose petals strewn over it and around about on the sand. A beach umbrella and balloons for atmosphere. And to top it all off, a Glass bottle with an “aged” paper scroll and sand & seashells inside it. He had written out his special poem to her on the scroll, at the bottom asking “Will you marry me?”

She of course said yes, and they rode off on their horses into a spectacular sunset.

We have a request for another one coming up, where the gentleman wants something similar with a Sand castle to match the ring he has gotten for his future fiance which is a Queen of My Heart diamond ring (I believe this is from Browns Jewelers).

Until next time, Happy Romancing

- Amelia

Ideas for Proposals in KwaZulu Natal in March

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:53:17 +0100

So if you are wanting to propose to your lady this March and want to do this in KZN, here are some of our ideas.

March is a lovely time in KZN because the hot summer is cooling down into a pleasant Autumn time, gardens are flowering, there’s almost no rain, and the sea is still perfect!

We would suggest an evening on the beach front! The evening would start with you parking at New Beach and getting a Riksha ride to Ushaka just before sunset. You and your love would admire the sand sculptures and take a walk down a pier to watch the sunset. After watching the sunset your Riksha will carry you to the Gondolas who will take you for a gentle ride along the beautiful canals to a private jetty where you step onto a platform with a candlelit dinner of your favourite foods waiting for you. A musician strolls up to you and serenades you and your love with some of your favourite songs. You drop to your knee and declare your undying love to her and ask her hand in marriage. Meanwhile a hidden photographer catches the whole thing on camera for you to remember always. After she has said yes, you have an “afterglow” engagement photoshoot.

If you love this idea as much as we do, contact us now and we will start making the arrangements for this to happen. Got another idea you would like to have help to make it happen? Let us know, we are here to make your dreams come true!