Proposal planning is becoming a serious business
On a chilly afternoon in October around five years ago, myself along with 20 or so friends got ready to watch a staged screening of “Dirty Dancing.” At the time, we thought it was part of a surprise party for our friend Janice’s 26th birthday. Turns out we were about to experience one of those elaborate marriage proposals you typically see going viral on YouTube.
Unbeknownst to Janice and most of the movie goers, Janice’s then-boyfriend Tony had been planning the surprise for weeks – maybe months. When the credits began to roll at the end of the movie, the screen suddenly cut to a video of Tony, dancing like Patrick Swayze while making his way across town from his apartment to the theatre. When he finally reached the theatre, the video cut again as we turned to see Tony bursting through the doors, tiny box in hand. On one knee, he asked Janice to marry him and the rest is, well, history.
Tony’s proposal was definitely dramatic (and romantic) but mostly, it was a complicated scheme that involved lots of time and effort – not just a proposal, but a production. Five years ago, a plan like this involved a theatre rental, video camera, basic editing skills and a couple of friends willing to lend a hand but today’s proposals are coming in at a much higher cost.
Just ask Karen and Kim Lee (no relation). The two recently launched Just Because in Vancouver, a date and proposal planning company that helps coordinate “picture perfect” proposals. Services include consulting, location scouting, decor and transportation post-proposal to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
“Twenty- and thirtysomethings are focused on building their empires,” Karen tells the Vancouver Sun. “They often come to us with the germ of a great idea that they just don’t have time to fully develop or execute.”
Over the top proposals are nothing new. Grooms-to-be have been doing it for years from jumbotron proposals at sporting events to infographics, commercials and spelling it out in the clouds. The more creative, the better chances of success – or at least that’s the hope. But coming up with new and fresh ideas can be a challenge. Just as many couples turn to wedding planners to help transform their fairytale visions into reality for their “big day,” a new crop of companies are doing the same for proposals.
Surprise Me Events and Sweetheart Events, also in Vancouver, offer planning services starting around $200 going up to $500, depending on the level of assistance required. Similar services are offered in Toronto by Truly Yours and Fusion Events. More than just a gesture of love, proposals have become a serious business.
But does an elaborate proposal guarantee that she’ll say yes?
While Janice and Tony have been happily married for close to four years, the same can’t be said for all elaborate proposals. Earlier this year, a man in L.A. filmed himself using a chicken burger to propose to his girlfriend. Instead of saying yes, she cried. Others have had to face the embarrassment of her saying yes in public and then taking it back later. Like most things, the bigger the effort the greater the risk – but also the greater the reward if all goes to plan.
