Jewelry Blog

20 Awesome Proposal Decorations Ideas

Proposal decorations ideas main image of proposals party

Planning a proposal is more stressful than it might seem. You need to pick out the perfect ring, scout for a suitable location and set everything up at the right time. On top of that, your proposal needs to have all the necessary decorations so it can be remembered for the rest of your and your partner’s lives. 

Here are 20 awesome proposal decoration ideas to make this special occasion memorable.

Rose Petals 

Engagement and wedding rings in a box amongst red rose petals.

Starting with a classic choice, rose petals are a must, no matter what type of proposal is in your plans. Red rose petals are the most obvious choice, but some prefer white ones. You can even combine the two and create a rose petal pathway that stretches from the entrance to the proposal spot. If you plan an outdoor proposal, you can scatter them on the grass. Another idea is to make a heart shape with the rose petals or spell “Will You Marry Me?” 

Candles, Candles, and More Candles 

A romantic night-time outdoor setting with tree lights and candles.

Candles are another element that’s sure to create the most romantic ambiance. The more candles you light, the better. If you decide to make a rose petal pathway, you can place candles along the entire path. For outdoor proposals, you can put tiny candles into jars, lanterns, and candle holders to make them safer. While some opt for traditional candles, some people have taken a liking to reusable LED votive candles, which are powered by batteries. You also wouldn’t have to worry about the wind blowing them out. 

Fairy Lights in Mason Jars and Bottles 

A mason jar filled with warm-tone string lights.

If you plan to propose in the evening or at night, lighting is one of the most important factors to think about. Fairy lights and light strings would make a wonderful addition to your proposal. You can even combine them with candles. Some types of fairy lights need to be plugged in, but you can find a lot of battery-operated ones, which can be placed in Mason jars, bottles, or any other glass containers. White and yellow fairy lights are the most popular choices. 

Confetti Balloons 

Balloons filled with glittering gold confetti.

If you want to add a fun effect to your proposal, confetti balloons are the way to go. Whether you pick a balloon arrangement or fill the entire room with heart-shaped balloons, it’s sure to make a long-lasting impression. The color of your balloons should match the overall ambiance, but confetti balloons are typically clear with gold, white, or rose gold confetti. 

Polaroid Camera 

A Polaroid camera on a table with a pile of Polaroid photos.

While a Polaroid camera isn’t technically decoration, it could come in handy when it’s time to take your first pictures as a newly engaged couple. Polaroid photos make great memories because they capture genuine moments that can’t be retouched or filtered. You can even incorporate those pictures into your wedding decorations. 

Bouquets and Flower Arrangements 

A bouqet featuring white, pink, and yellow flowers.

There’s nothing more romantic than a room filled with flowers. We mentioned rose petals before, but lavish rose bouquets would take your proposal to a whole new level. You can place them anywhere you like. Roses in boxes and luxurious packaging have become extremely popular recently. Even though roses are considered the most romantic flowers, you can also order carnations, lilies, tulips, orchids, irises, and others to make a beautiful arrangement. 

Champagne and Glasses 

A bottle of champagne with two champagne glasses.

What’s a proposal without champagne? Have a table with a champagne bottle and two glasses waiting for you to celebrate when they say “Yes.” Some of the best champagne brands for the proposal include Moët & Chandon, Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee, and more. If you choose to splurge on this special day, go all the way. 

Lanterns 

A very large quantity of fire lanterns floating into the night sky.

If you don’t want to get fairy lights for your big day, lanterns are a great alternative, especially for outdoor proposals. You can put them on the ground, hang them from a tree, or set them around a picnic blanket. You can choose from many different types of lanterns: lacy white lanterns, floating festival lanterns, glass floor lanterns, and much more. 

Personalized Neon Sign 

A neon sign that says "Love" in cursive.

To spice up your proposal, consider adding a custom neon sign. The great thing about this type of décor is that you can choose exactly what it will say. Of course, you could just have it spell out “Marry Me?” but why stop there? Make the text more unique, for example, “It Was Always You,” “Better Together,” “I Love You,” or “You Make Me the Happiest Man on Earth.” Don’t be afraid to get personal, as this will add a sentimental touch to your proposal and might even make your partner tear up. 

Home Theatre Projector 

A couple sitting outside with a blanket and using a projector.

If you want to add visual effects to your proposal, a home theatre projector can be useful for many things. If you and your partner like to take a lot of videos together, edit them and make a short movie to play during your proposal. You can also play a famous scene from their favorite romantic movie. There are many options; you just need to think outside the box. 

LED Window Curtain String 

A curtain lined with yellow string lights.

Here’s another idea for the lighting ambiance. It’s OK to add candles, fairy lights, or lanterns, but if you want to make a statement, get LED twinkle star curtains and place them all around the proposal spot. As we mentioned before, the more lights, the better! 

Romantic Food 

A romantic dinner for two on the beach with lighting.

Adding food to your proposal could also be a nice touch. Chocolate-covered strawberries, cupcakes, heart-shaped cookies, or a versatile charcuterie board are all fantastic options. Along with the champagne bottle we mentioned earlier, choose something your partner loves to eat and surprise them even more. 

LED Light-Up Marquee Letters 

LED lights arranged to say "Marry Me?" with a ring box.

One popular proposal decoration idea is the LED “MARRY ME” sign, which comes in a variety of sizes. If you want to keep it simple, buy the smaller, light-up marquee letters and hang them on the wall. For those who want a more dramatic effect, you can get giant LED letters and place them in a standing position. LED signs are a safer alternative to candles since they can’t be blown out or start a fire. 

Balloon Letters 

Spelling out “Will you marry me?” or just “Marry me?” with balloons is an affordable alternative to the LED sign. You can combine them with other balloons, such as heart-shaped and confetti balloons. Moreover, once you’re done with them, you can simply pop them and throw them away. 

Photo Wall 

A wall decorated with photos of friends, the proposal, and vacations.

A great way to display all your memories is by making a photo wall filled with favorites. This decoration idea is perfect for couples who like to take pictures together. To make the photo wall even more stunning, hang fairy lights to hold the photos. Not only will you walk down memory lane together, but it will make the proposal even more special and personal. 

Custom Proposal Ring Box 

A wooden box customized with names and containing rings on moss bed.

Instead of a typical velvet red or black ring box, why not opt for something custom-made? Modern ring boxes are made from wood, see-through glass, or crystals. Even though you won’t need the ring box after you pop the question, it could serve as a pleasant memory when you stumble upon it. 

Garland 

A wooden fence with draped over string lights.

Garlands have always favored proposal and wedding decorations that tie the entire space together. It’s up to you to choose the size and the type of flowers you’ll use. Ideally, you should place the garland right behind your proposal spot. If you hire someone to take pictures, it will make a wonderful background in all your photos. 

Night Light Projector 

Beams of light in the dark.

If you want to make an indoor proposal but still want to create a starry night ambiance, what better way to do this than with a night light projector? They usually come in different colors and patterns, but blue, white, and yellow are the most popular. They can create such a beautiful atmosphere that it will make you feel like a planetarium. 

Sparklers 

Somebody holding a lit sparkler with the sunset sky in the background.

Sparklers have always been a fun trinket during the New Year’s seasons. Even though they only last briefly, they can add a certain flair to your proposal. You can even find heart-shaped sparklers that would look amazing in the photos. What’s more, they make the entire evening more magical and nostalgic. 

Use Amazing Decorations to Create the Perfect Proposal 

There are many ways to make your proposal a moment you and your partner will never forget. Whether you go for an outdoor or indoor proposal, invite family and friends to keep it more private, or choose between a day or night proposal, you need the right decorations to seal the deal. Thankfully, there are more ways than one to decorate the proposal setting. 

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About Afshin Shaddaie

Afshin moved to New York City in the 1980s, and a few years later, he began his career in the fine and rare jewelry scene. He teamed up with Michael Khordipour, and they've been curating vintage jewelry ever since. He also regularly contributes to Forbes, Rapaport, CNBC, The Knot, and Insider. Afshin constantly travels to international shows and private viewing events in the hope of finding rare vintage rings that will be important enough to make an impression. He is available for appointments at our New York showroom when he's not traveling. Afshin authored his book called The Engagement Ring Guide for Men. He is considered one of the world's foremost authorities on vintage jewelry and antique diamonds. His favorite jewelry era is Art Nouveau, and he loves rare Italian jewelry from the 1950s - 1970s. The Natural Saltwater Pearl is his favorite precious jewel.