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Best marriage proposal ever.

post #1 of 30
Thread Starter 
Quote:
I have know my fiance Tracey Wade for over 14 years and wanted to propose to her in a very unique way. Tracey thought we were just going to the movies on a Sunday afternoon. Little did she know, I had rented the entire theater and filled it with 160 of our friends and family. I made it seem as though we were showing up a little late to the movie and went in to the theater after the lights had gone down and the movie trailers were already playing. This was done to keep her from recognizing anyone in the theater. What I had done was make an entire movie trailer that had actors portraying both Tracey and I at different times in our lives, both present day and in the future. After a few trailers played including one for Lord of the Rings the one I had made started. Tracey thought it was just another trailer for a movie soon to be released. Tracey was just perplexed as to how many different things had similarities to our relationship, she kept nudging me throughout the trailer. Tracey had no idea this was a marriage proposal until the last three seconds of the trailer.

Nine months earlier in September of 2006 I started by hiring a professional production team, securing two and a half million dollars (FOR FREE) worth of film equipment (THANK YOU PANAVISION, THEY DONATED THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE SHOOT), and writing a script that would show what would go through someone's mind (Tracey's) if they were about to die. It is said "moments before you die your life flashes right before your eyes". JUST A NOTE: Ever since Tracey was a young girl, she has had a reoccurring dream that she was going to die in a plane crash. Actors were cast to portray both Tracey and I at different times in our lives (twenty years in the future as well as present day).

The explanations of the flashbacks are as follows:

HORSE JUMPING - Tracey has been an avid equestrian her entire life, both competing and teaching professionally. The location that we filmed, was the exact location Tracey won in, back in 2006.

DODGER STADIUM - Tracey and I have season tickets to the Dodgers. We both grew up in L.A. and are big baseball fans.

SKYDIVING - On Tracey's fathers 70th birthday we both went skydiving for the first time. The plane in the trailer is the same plane we jumped out of in real life. The actress portraying Tracey even wore the same jumpsuit.

KITE FLYING - This was filmed in the exact location Tracey and I have flown a kite before.

FISHING - When Tracey and I fell in love; we were down in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. One of our greatest memories in Mexico was chartering a boat and going marlin fishing. In the movie trailer both actors were wearing the exact same clothes, both Tracey and I were wearing when we went fishing. As a side note this scene was actually shot on location down in Cabo San Lucas.

RUNNING ON THE BEACH - Tracey and I had one of our best days ever on this exact beach near San Diego.

SAILING - I own a sailboat. Both Tracey and I love sailing. The exterior shot was not my boat, but the closes up shots were actually filmed on my sailboat.

AIRIAL SHOT OF BEACH AND HOTEL - This was the actual place we stayed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It is our very favorite place. Tracey always thought I might one day ask her to marry her there.

PROPOSAL LOCATION - Same hotel as mentioned above. This one area at the hotel was our very favorite spot.

SHE SAID YES!!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adh4hmpBxlw"]YouTube- Best Marriage Proposal EVER!!!!![/ame]
post #2 of 30
Thanks for sharing that. He obviously put in a lot of effort. Still, I would never force my girlfriend to give an answer (read: say yes) in front of 160 friends... what choice does she have?
post #3 of 30
But he probably knows that shes waiting for his proposal already.

P/S: Very touching.
post #4 of 30
Hell yes, if I had had the expendable income at age 25 to hire production teams and rent an entire movie theater for the night, my proposal might have been colossal as well!
Still - it was a very moving proposal!
post #5 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merlino View Post

Thanks for sharing that. He obviously put in a lot of effort. Still, I would never force my girlfriend to give an answer (read: say yes) in front of 160 friends... what choice does she have?

Yes - clearly one must know their intended to pull this off.

Even though, like OMG and Dimi, I found it touching, there are both cultural and personal boundaries one has to be sensitive to when considering a proposal of this kind. Many women would love it, but I can only imagine my wife's horror. She has very explicit ideas about what's proper and what's not proper, and the proper side doesn't include public proposals. She most likely wouldn't even realize what was going on, assuming that such things simply don't happen, and that the guy just looked like me. At the moment my onscreen image flashed the rock and the lights went on, she would go "What the hell kind of movie? Gehin! [low-brow] What?! Film is breaking, too? Ridiculous!"

I think this guy knew what he was doing. Good job!
post #6 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merlino View Post

Thanks for sharing that. He obviously put in a lot of effort. Still, I would never force my girlfriend to give an answer (read: say yes) in front of 160 friends... what choice does she have?

*ZING*

Spotlight on the lady

*tick tick tick tick*

"Um...... "
post #7 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merlino View Post

Thanks for sharing that. He obviously put in a lot of effort. Still, I would never force my girlfriend to give an answer (read: say yes) in front of 160 friends... what choice does she have?

You are a considerate person, I wouldn't be impressed or happy about a stunt like that.

The best proposal I ever got was in blue jeans over green chile and margaritas in a favorite restaurant ~ a quiet conversation, heart to heart, and meant to last forever. We had our 25th anniversary a few months ago.
post #8 of 30
Wow (to being proposed to in front of 160 people)...but that wouldn't have worked for us! Mind you, our history together at the time of his proposal was significantly briefer.

We had only been seeing each other for 3 1/2 months when he proposed, and although I vaguely thought we were probably headed in that direction, I hadn't actually thought yet about whether I would marry him if he asked. But when you are already in your mid 40s, as he was, I suppose it doesn't take so long to know what you want.

So when he proposed, I replied,

"Oh my goodness!"

The poor guy had to wait 6 whole days while I thought it over. As I later explained to him, I didn't want to say "yes" only to say "no" later-- I needed to be sure. Maybe that isn't so romantic, but after all, this was the rest of my life I was deciding about.

We've been married 17 years and I'd say "yes" all over again.
post #9 of 30
Tell me I didn't kill this thread!

Come on someone, post your own proposal!
post #10 of 30
You didn't kill this thread 30 Roses !! ( I probably will though ! *LOL* )

I would die of embarrassment to be honest if my husband proposed to me with hired production crew etc etc etc ...... I actually told my husband ( before we got engaged ) ..what might be appropriate ...just in case ! )
We went engagement ring shopping ,he got down on one knee...with ring in hand, in front of everyone and proposed. Everyone in the store clapped and I think my poor husband was more embarrassed than me...he really is not a.... 'on bended knee' kind of guy.
post #11 of 30
Great stories 30 roses and mysticknot! Sometimes simple is better. Mine wasn't a flash proposal, but I did put some thought into it...

I proposed to my wife in April 1998.
I took the day off work (albeit I told her I was going to the office that day), and went to a cake store to collect a huge cake I had ordered... it was a heart-shaped white cream cake surrounded with strawberries with the words "marry me" piped across the top. I took it to a stunning restaurant at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens that had gorgeous vistas of the Parthenon. I left the engagement ring with the restaurant manager and asked him to place it atop the cake. That evening when I got "home from work", I casually suggested we might want to go out for a meal, and that my wife could choose any place she'd like. We headed for the Acropolis on foot and as we passed a few restaurants, she said "this looks good", to which I responded "oh, theyre only serving coffee here", or "Ive heard the food isnt the best". When we came upon "our" restaurant which she suggested we visit ( ) we sat in a romantic corner of the restaurant, enjoyed a long meal and drank some wine, and then 10 minutes after our plates were cleared (as instructed), the waiter came towards us with the cake. I had already turned the conversation to "us" at that stage, and pushed my chair back and dropped to my knee. Just as the cake was placed before her, I spoke the words aloud that she was reading on the cake. All eyes in the restaurant were on us, and finally after LOOONG moments of disbelief and shock, she said "yes". The entire restaurant erupted with applause and two dear old ladies at the table next to us were crying like schoolgirls
It was a lovely evening, and we shared the cake with 60 unknown diners!

Nowadays, some 10+ years later, each time we return to Athens, we dine in the same restaurant, just to honor the occasion.
post #12 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimitri View Post

Great stories 30 roses and mysticknot! Sometimes simple is better. Mine wasn't a flash proposal, but I did put some thought into it...

I proposed to my wife in April 1998.
I took the day off work (albeit I told her I was going to the office that day), and went to a cake store to collect a huge cake I had ordered... it was a heart-shaped white cream cake surrounded with strawberries with the words "marry me" piped across the top. I took it to a stunning restaurant at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens that had gorgeous vistas of the Parthenon. I left the engagement ring with the restaurant manager and asked him to place it atop the cake. That evening when I got "home from work", I casually suggested we might want to go out for a meal, and that my wife could choose any place she'd like. We headed for the Acropolis on foot and as we passed a few restaurants, she said "this looks good", to which I responded "oh, theyre only serving coffee here", or "Ive heard the food isnt the best". When we came upon "our" restaurant which she suggested we visit ( ) we sat in a romantic corner of the restaurant, enjoyed a long meal and drank some wine, and then 10 minutes after our plates were cleared (as instructed), the waiter came towards us with the cake. I had already turned the conversation to "us" at that stage, and pushed my chair back and dropped to my knee. Just as the cake was placed before her, I spoke the words aloud that she was reading on the cake. All eyes in the restaurant were on us, and finally after LOOONG moments of disbelief and shock, she said "yes". The entire restaurant erupted with applause and two dear old ladies at the table next to us were crying like schoolgirls
It was a lovely evening, and we shared the cake with 60 unknown diners!

Nowadays, some 10+ years later, each time we return to Athens, we dine in the same restaurant, just to honor the occasion.

What a smooth operator, well done Dimi! Was the restaurant in Plaka?
post #13 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimitri View Post

Great stories 30 roses and mysticknot! Sometimes simple is better. Mine wasn't a flash proposal, but I did put some thought into it...

I proposed to my wife in April 1998.
I took the day off work (albeit I told her I was going to the office that day), and went to a cake store to collect a huge cake I had ordered... it was a heart-shaped white cream cake surrounded with strawberries with the words "marry me" piped across the top. I took it to a stunning restaurant at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens that had gorgeous vistas of the Parthenon. I left the engagement ring with the restaurant manager and asked him to place it atop the cake. That evening when I got "home from work", I casually suggested we might want to go out for a meal, and that my wife could choose any place she'd like. We headed for the Acropolis on foot and as we passed a few restaurants, she said "this looks good", to which I responded "oh, theyre only serving coffee here", or "Ive heard the food isnt the best". When we came upon "our" restaurant which she suggested we visit ( ) we sat in a romantic corner of the restaurant, enjoyed a long meal and drank some wine, and then 10 minutes after our plates were cleared (as instructed), the waiter came towards us with the cake. I had already turned the conversation to "us" at that stage, and pushed my chair back and dropped to my knee. Just as the cake was placed before her, I spoke the words aloud that she was reading on the cake. All eyes in the restaurant were on us, and finally after LOOONG moments of disbelief and shock, she said "yes". The entire restaurant erupted with applause and two dear old ladies at the table next to us were crying like schoolgirls
It was a lovely evening, and we shared the cake with 60 unknown diners!

Nowadays, some 10+ years later, each time we return to Athens, we dine in the same restaurant, just to honor the occasion.

I REALLY enjoyed your story Dimitri. It is REALLY romantic. Taste good at the same time
post #14 of 30
Thanks for sharing Dimitri ! Wonderful story ! Romance is alive and well !
post #15 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachroses View Post

The best proposal I ever got was in blue jeans over green chile and margaritas in a favorite restaurant ~ a quiet conversation, heart to heart, and meant to last forever. We had our 25th anniversary a few months ago.

25 years! Way to go! And I like that style - quiet and romantic.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 30 Roses View Post

Tell me I didn't kill this thread!

Come on someone, post your own proposal!

Valentines Day, in the evening, sitting by a warm fire on a cold night.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mysticknot View Post

You didn't kill this thread 30 Roses !! ( I probably will though ! *LOL* )

I would die of embarrassment to be honest if my husband proposed to me with hired production crew etc etc etc ...... I actually told my husband ( before we got engaged ) ..what might be appropriate ...just in case ! )
We went engagement ring shopping ,he got down on one knee...with ring in hand, in front of everyone and proposed. Everyone in the store clapped and I think my poor husband was more embarrassed than me...he really is not a.... 'on bended knee' kind of guy.

What a great idea! It's SOOOOO Breakfast at Tiffany's! I love it!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimitri View Post

Great stories 30 roses and mysticknot! Sometimes simple is better. Mine wasn't a flash proposal, but I did put some thought into it...

I proposed to my wife in April 1998.
I took the day off work (albeit I told her I was going to the office that day), and went to a cake store to collect a huge cake I had ordered... it was a heart-shaped white cream cake surrounded with strawberries with the words "marry me" piped across the top. I took it to a stunning restaurant at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens that had gorgeous vistas of the Parthenon. I left the engagement ring with the restaurant manager and asked him to place it atop the cake. That evening when I got "home from work", I casually suggested we might want to go out for a meal, and that my wife could choose any place she'd like. We headed for the Acropolis on foot and as we passed a few restaurants, she said "this looks good", to which I responded "oh, theyre only serving coffee here", or "Ive heard the food isnt the best". When we came upon "our" restaurant which she suggested we visit ( ) we sat in a romantic corner of the restaurant, enjoyed a long meal and drank some wine, and then 10 minutes after our plates were cleared (as instructed), the waiter came towards us with the cake. I had already turned the conversation to "us" at that stage, and pushed my chair back and dropped to my knee. Just as the cake was placed before her, I spoke the words aloud that she was reading on the cake. All eyes in the restaurant were on us, and finally after LOOONG moments of disbelief and shock, she said "yes". The entire restaurant erupted with applause and two dear old ladies at the table next to us were crying like schoolgirls
It was a lovely evening, and we shared the cake with 60 unknown diners!

Nowadays, some 10+ years later, each time we return to Athens, we dine in the same restaurant, just to honor the occasion.

Who needs a movie crew when you can have reality with a movie plot? Great one!
post #16 of 30
Great stories-- keep 'em coming!
post #17 of 30
Thanks everyone! Would love to hear more stories as well!

Quote:
Originally Posted by jathanas View Post

Was the restaurant in Plaka?

Yes it was JAthanas! The thing we both laugh about now, despite us visiting it perhaps 6 or 7 times since, we have never made a note of the name! Its not far from Metropoleos Square near Monastiraki. The whole back of the restaurant is one big glass wall with views of the Acropolis.
post #18 of 30
Great stories everyone - really nice to read! I guess it depends on whom you're proposing to and whether you've talked about it, still I find myself subscribing to the same ideas as Redneck Perfumisto's wife.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stereotomy View Post

*ZING*

Spotlight on the lady

*tick tick tick tick*

"Um...... "

You're one to say!
post #19 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redneck Perfumisto View Post

Valentines Day, in the evening, sitting by a warm fire on a cold night.


Ooooh, talk about romantic!

Since we can't return to our favorite restaurant like Dimitri and his betrothed, I think it's about time I learned to make that green chili myself! Great idea. (It was in Boulder CO)
post #20 of 30
I have to say that after watching the video and reading other stories on this thread that romance is not dead after all.
post #21 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachroses View Post

You are a considerate person, I wouldn't be impressed or happy about a stunt like that.

The best proposal I ever got was in blue jeans over green chile and margaritas in a favorite restaurant ~ a quiet conversation, heart to heart, and meant to last forever. We had our 25th anniversary a few months ago.

My engagement (which was Sunday btw) was just like this, a conversation between both of us over dinner and a mutual decision about the future, not conventionally romantic I suppose but it felt right
post #22 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachroses View Post

The best proposal I ever got was in blue jeans over green chile and margaritas in a favorite restaurant ~ a quiet conversation, heart to heart, and meant to last forever. We had our 25th anniversary a few months ago.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stereotomy View Post

*ZING*

Spotlight on the lady

*tick tick tick tick*

"Um...... "

Quote:
Originally Posted by beachroses View Post

I wouldn't be impressed or happy about a stunt like that.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Redneck Perfumisto View Post

Even though, like OMG and Dimi, I found it touching, there are both cultural and personal boundaries one has to be sensitive to when considering a proposal of this kind. Many women would love it, but I can only imagine my wife's horror.

It's good to know that many (most) women wouldn't want the spotlight-shining, doves-flying, sappy-music-playing proposals. I feel like movies, engagement stories, etc. place such high pressure on guys to do some big production. If that works in your relationship, great! But for the rest of us, it's good to hear some realistic thoughts on the subject.
post #23 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by libertine View Post

My engagement (which was Sunday btw) was just like this, a conversation between both of us over dinner and a mutual decision about the future, not conventionally romantic I suppose but it felt right

Congratulations on your engagement!
post #24 of 30
Thank you
post #25 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by libertine View Post

My engagement (which was Sunday btw) was just like this, a conversation between both of us over dinner and a mutual decision about the future, not conventionally romantic I suppose but it felt right

Many congrats Libertine! A sound and mutually-rewarding decision, it seems!
post #26 of 30
Congratulations indeed, libertine!

post #27 of 30
160 friends, AND a great Voice Over narration, AND hiring a professional team AND two and a half million dollars of film equipment which you secured for free?

Will you be my agent?

Congratulations Stoic, that was terrific.


Cheers,

Mario
post #28 of 30
Thanks for sharing the YouTube story, OP. I guess the girl isn't much of a movie buff if she couldn't even suss out what might be going on as the trailers went on. After such a hyped up proposal, the guy may feel even more pressure to keep up the grand gestures going throughout the marriage which hopefully lasts longer than the sailing boat. But nevermind the cynic in me. Wow! I'd love to see the behind-the-scene extras like 'Making of The Proposal'.

Btw that's a lovely story, Dmitri. I'm usually quite smooth but around my love, I become a bumbling idiot.. My proposal took place earlier this year under a huge tree in a local park. The 2 of us had a picnic, and were chilling out with a book each. Earlier I had my camera set up to record the 'moment' and left it on the stand after 'taking a shot'. She thought nothng of it. A few minutes later (or so I thought) I fished out the ring and popped the question. She came to tears and said 'yes.' She was surprised when I told her I had it on camera. But when we both looked at the video, I found out it did capture everything up until the point when I was just about to propose. Then the video stopped - the 12 minute limit was up! I was mortified but she laughed. Funny thing is, my 'screw up' made this less than smooth proposal even more memorable.
post #29 of 30
Thats also an excellent story Diamondflame!
I cant believe the camera failed to capture the big moment - but then again it will always remain special to the two of you. A far more intimate outcome, that you will both look back on fondly!
post #30 of 30
What a great proposal, I must add, if your girlfriend is scared to death of planes, why must
you put a plane crash in the film it may just freak her out even more
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