Don't break the bank!

We've touched before on the importance of keeping your proposal personalized to you, but a common misconception is that we only plan proposals that are expensive and elaborate. On the contrary! Our goal with every proposal is to create details that are perfect for you as a couple, not spend all of your dough. Yes, we can break the bank if you want us to, but we have come up with proposal ideas that cost less than $100, total! We specialize in details you may never think of on your own and often, the ones we implement into your proposal are inexpensive or at no cost. These are things like music, lighting, and a timeline for the day so you don't get off track. And when you consider the free perks and upgrades our relationships with our vendors provide (hotels, restaurants, etc.), you may actually end up saving money by using us. Here is some of our best inspiration for creating a proposal without breaking the bank.

 

Yell it from the rooftops

We love this proposal by NYC native Jason Shelowitz. An occasional graffiti artist, Jason decided to put his skills to use and created a unique and personal proposal for his girlfriend last week by painting the words, "Rachel Will You Marry Me?" across five rooftops in NYC's Upper East Side. "The rooftops came to me because they are visible from our apartment and I thought proposing on our terrace was a nice idea. The rest is history," Shelowitz told the Huffington Post. It's personal, it's ceative, and it barely cost a dime. We love it. Congrats Jason! 

Bespoke: Custom Made

We've had several people ask us exactly where we derived our name. The "Proposal" part you know, but bespoke is a word that not everyone immediately recognizes.

"Bespoke" is a term that dates back tot he 17th century, when tailors on London's famed Savile Row collected unique lengths of cloth for customers seeking custom garments. When a customer chose a length of material for his suit, it was said to have "been spoken for." Today, when a tailor that makes clothes specially according to a customer's specific measurements, tastes, and needs, he is said to be "bespoke."

Bespoke tailors first discuss with their clients what type of suite they want and how they intend to wear it. Once they understand the desired outcome, Savile Row's bespoke tailors take more than 35 measurements to ensure the design is perfectly suited to that individual. 

The enchantment of a bespoke suit is not only in the outcome, but in the ceremony of having designed something specifically for you. It is with this fastidiousness, care and pride in one's work that we at Bespoke Proposals approach the design of our clients' unique engagement story.
Photo from Pinterest

Get the YES

You've got the ring, you've got the plan, Bespoke is there dealing with all of the logistics. You're left with just one last task - figuring out the words to say. Most men forget to think about this part, mostly because they're worried about HOW they will propose (something Bespoke can take care of for you!). While a simple, "Will you marry me?" could suffice, this is your one chance to wow her. Tell her why you want to spend your life with her over any other girl in the world. Believe me, she has been dreaming of this moment her entire life and you don't want to say the wrong thing. Here are some questions you should ask while you're formulating the biggest question of your life:

1. What do you have now that you didn't have before you knew her?
2. How has your outlook of your life changed? Can you see your future more easily now?
3. When did you realize she was The One?
4. What are the things you love about her and why?
5. What are you most looking forward to in your new life together?

The Process

When developing the particulars about our company, we put the most thought into the process in which we help you plan your proposal. Just as a bespoke suit should be comfortable and easy to wear, so should our collaboration with you. We've broken it down into four simple steps that allow for as much or as little involvement as you are comfortable. We want you to come into this process knowing exactly what to expect so there are no surprises (we save those for your girl!). After we determine exactly what you need from us, we get to know you via a set of questions custom developed to this process. Then we take the answers to your questions and get to work preparing several proposal scenario options. Input from you is encouraged and appreciated as the proposal is eventually a reflection of your taste and love. We include mock-up, timeline and cost and never reuse ideas. Each one is built specifically from what we learn from you in Steps One and Two. Then we take care choosing a final plan, tweaking it according to your feedback and finally, it's time to get to work! We are excited to start working with you! 

Drawing from Next

Cabin Porn

You heard us, that's right, cabin porn. If you are like us and live in a city you probably fantasize about getting out of town every now and then. Especially this time of year. While daydreaming I came across a gem of a website called Cabin Porn. It's tagline, "Inspiration for your quiet place somewhere" screams proposal. Any of these would make a purely magical place to pop the question.

all photos from CabinPorn

Igloos

We are clearly on a winter habitat kick here at Bespoke. Today's shelter...igloos! Have you heard of Airbnb? If not, you've got to check it out. We love inns and hotels, but do appreciate a good idea, and Airbnb is certainly that. It's an online homeshare program on steroids. You can list your home or apartment for rent for a day, weekend, or year! But we digress. The coolest listing we've seen by far are these igloos. Starting at $89 per night, you can realize this childhood dream. We are picturing a proposal involving lots of hot toddies, staying warm by cuddling together, and even some eskimo kisses if you're lucky.

Or, build one in your backyard and save the airfare. Either way, this is the kind of creativity that knocks a proposal out of the park.