The marriage proposal: Tradition or originality?
In the past, it was the young man's father who asked the young woman's father for her hand in marriage. The two lovebirds were not consulted, and had to undergo arranged marriages that suited the families for financial reasons.
Today, this practice is practically no longer practiced in Quebec, leaving it up to the man to choose whether to ask the father of the future bride for her hand in marriage, as tradition dictates, or to propose directly to his sweetheart. This last method is the most popular today. The future spouses decide among themselves to marry before announcing it to their loved ones.
The tradition
According to this tradition, a man gives his sweetheart an engagement ring, which she will wear on her left ring finger, where a vein directly connects to the heart runs, until the wedding day. This is a token of her future commitment and a way to show her loved ones the future alliance of the two lovers. At the wedding, the engagement ring can be transferred to the right hand, or accompany the wedding ring on the left.
While traditionally men are the ones who kneel before women and offer them an engagement ring, an Irish tradition, "leap day" (February 29), allows for the roles to be reversed. This day, which only occurs every four years, is said to be the only day on which women could propose to a man. This tradition dates back to the time when the leap year was not recognized by English law. Since the leap day had no legal status at the time, the tradition could be broken.
Originality
We've all dreamed one day that our lover would get down on one knee during a candlelit dinner, open a magnificent box before our eyes to tell us with teary eyes that we are the woman of his life! This way is the most traditional, the most romantic there is!
But increasingly, people are turning to originality in their big proposal. There are so many ways to ask for the hand of their loved one. Even if it's a rather intimate moment, some men don't hesitate to propose in front of an entire audience at a restaurant with friends, at a game on the big screen, or even by singing their love in front of an entire audience. Every proposal will remain forever etched in the heart of the person who receives it, so it must be personal and filled with tenderness. Let your heart go, and tell him that you will love him for life!
Some original ways to propose
Here are some unique ways we found to propose. Of course, every person is unique, and nothing stops those who want to make a difference!
- Put up marriage proposal signs on your sweetheart's lawn...when she goes out in the morning, she'll discover the surprise, and chances are the neighbors will be on their lawn!
- Offer a bouquet of balloons, to be burst with a needle, one of which contains the ring. Guaranteed fun!
- An advertising truck with a poster advertising the high demand parks in front of the lady's home or workplace! A nice surprise!
- Buy several strings of lights and hang them in your garden or on your balcony so that they say "Marry me!" How romantic...
- At a restaurant, ask the server to bring the box as dessert. Make sure there's a good chance she'll say yes!
- Ask to take the microphone at the supermarket while the lady is shopping and propose to her. Applause guaranteed!
- Create a routine with dancers who suddenly start dancing as you walk by. Join in the dance, and at the very end, get down on one knee to propose. Tears of joy every time!
- Make a personalized DVD with her photos and videos. Start with photos of her alone, then photos of the couple, accompanied by your favorite music, and finish with a moving marriage proposal! Offer to rent a DVD movie, and replace the one in the box with your own! A beautiful surprise for a romantic get-together.
- If you are traveling, you can ask the flight attendant to announce your request over the microphone! You will be applauded by all the passengers!
No matter how you go about it, the most important thing remains: Stay authentic, and above all, speak from the heart...
