Falling in love is a fascinating and magical process. From taking notice of the little things a person does to missing their company while you drift off to sleep. Love is something that comes so subtly that one may be left puzzled as to why they feel a certain way towards somebody.

More than just a feeling you have for a special someone, love is about the bond two people share, about understanding, compromising, communicating and commitment. Being able to love and feel loved is a blessing, and being able to spend forever with someone you love is even more incredible.

Stepping into a lifetime commitment with a special someone involves a lot of thought and it all starts with a romantic marriage proposal. This once in a lifetime event may seem challenging to embark on and could even come off as a chore to some people. However, it is a meaningful event meant to celebrate the beginning of a couple’s commitment to one another.

Are you planning on making the decision to spend a lifetime loving your special someone? We know that putting together stunning proposal decorations is nerve-wracking, let alone having to plan one that will have your partner crying and swooning over you. So, we prepared a list of things you should take note of when planning your proposal. Be inspired by two couple’s love stories and get some tips on how you can plan the perfect proposal for your partner.

 

MARRIAGE PROPOSALS

 

The Significance of Marriage Proposals

Marriage is the union of two people deeply in love with each other. It is a sweet connection between a couple and is one of the biggest decisions one has to make in their lifetime.

A proposal is a momentous part of a relationship journey leading up to marriage. It is also a beautiful and romantic way of signifying your desire to marry your partner. A promise to commit the rest of your life to your beloved, loving and cherishing one another, through thick and thin, till death do you part. The proposal is the celebration that kicks start a new phase of your life together and is a special day you can look back on years into your marriage and reminisce about.

 

A Look Into Proposal Planning and Styling

Marriage proposals have always seemed magical to us. Be it the twinkling fairy lights and floral arches towering over two people enveloped by a love-filled atmosphere or a simple profession of true feelings under the moonlight. Proposals are always a tear-jerking and heartwarming sight.

The thought of two people who were once nothing but strangers crossing paths, falling in love and moving on to a new phase in life together warms our hearts. It also inspired us to create sentimental proposal experiences. This is why we decided to dip our toes into proposal planning and styling after being in the event styling industry for a while.

Hello Joi started off as a one-stop-shop for all celebration needs in Singapore. We believe that a smile is simple, and we want to create a world full of smiles. With this vision in mind, we lifted spirits across Singapore with carefully curated balloon decorations filled with sincerity and dedication before venturing into proposal planning for couples. Fun fact! Our first proposal setup was for a couple who are dear friends of ours!

To us, marriage proposals are beyond just looking for a romantic location and putting together extravagant proposal decorations. It is a purposeful event and celebration where your setup has to tell a story of love, one that mesmerises and draws a couple closer to each other. Setting the right atmosphere and creating the unique experience most suited to you and your partner’s likes and quirks requires a substantial amount of planning and thought.

As more and more people are starting to realise the importance of a proposal planner and are beginning to invest in a proposal planner to put together the proposal of their dreams, we hope to be a valuable resource to proposers out there thinking about proposing. We hope to work together with more people in this collaborative process, to skillfully present your promise of commitment to your beloved.

 

LOVE STORIES - FROM REAL COUPLES

 

Gabriel and Jessendryl

Gabriel and Jessendryl met on a dating app, Coffee Meets Bagel. He first approached us in search of a proposal planner who could help him find a venue, style his proposal setup, coordinate and assist with the execution of his big day. He wanted a place filled with the beauty of nature, and most importantly, with the presence of family and close friends.

Due to the Phase 2 Heightened Alert, we had to make multiple changes to the date and the concept. What was originally an outdoor proposal at Wheeler’s Estate had to be downsized into an outdoorsy and romantic proposal setup at Jessendryl’s front porch. However, we didn’t let that dull the atmosphere. To fulfil the romantic ambience and the “cry factor” that Gabriel wanted, we flowered the space with red roses and dreamy ambient light, weaved in floral hedges, pillar candles, big deep red heart balloons and completed the look with a set of giant “Marry Me” marquee letters as the statement piece.

With their wedding playlist in the background, Jessendryl journeyed down the memory lane filled with photos of their best days together. Videos of Gabriel’s speech and well wishes from family and friends were flashed before her, and indeed, the couple was tearing up while holding onto each other. Seeing this made our hearts swell with adoration.

 

Their Love Story; By Gabriel 

When Jessendryl and I met, I was amazed at how easy it was to have light-hearted conversations with her. I was comfortable and really enjoyed her presence. For Jess, she said that she found me a really thoughtful, gentle, patient and kind person and that was how we fell in love. We’ve been together for more than a year now.

Seeing how big of a heart Jess has for others, and even how she chose to stick by me through the lowest point in my life goes to show just how loving and committed she was, that was when I knew that she is the one for me and that I want to spend forever loving her and being by her side.

I wanted an intimate yet stunning proposal away from the public’s eyes for the both of us because that’s just how we like things to be. Hello Joi helped me with the mood board for the entire proposal setup, and even helped me to source for a video editor to assist me in compiling the videos I had at an affordable price.

From the choice of flowers, down to every detail, they gave me great advice on what I should include in my setup to generate the mood I was going for, all while taking my budget into consideration.

The proposal turned out to be an amazing one and even surpassed my expectations. Although there wasn’t anything too over the top, the proposal setup was still spectacular and provided the perfect picture moment for us. Everyone was all smiles, especially Jess. She even cried three times!

Engaging the help of a proposal planner was definitely a good idea as it helped me to take the stress off of planning and executing such a memorable event in our lives.

 

Romeo and Feryna

Feryna and I were student leaders during our polytechnic days. The first time we met each other was when we had to organise a camp for our school. Ever since then, we became normal “hi” and “bye” friends until we graduated. We started talking a lot more after that and I realised that we could both click really well together. She was unlike any other girls I’ve met and it was always pleasant to chat with her. We’ve been together for 5 years ever since!

The way she carried herself the first time we went out together really amazed me, I even remembered lowkey thinking to myself “this girl is the one”. Fast forward five years later, I still smile at the thought of her and she’s still the only one I want to marry.

For my proposal, I wanted something simple yet elegant and most importantly, memorable. Hello Joi helped me out with the planning of the proposal from start to end. From sourcing for a location to the proposal setup and planning of the day’s timeline. They gave me a helping hand in ensuring that this was going to be a meaningful proposal for us. They also gave me amazing advice on how I should angle my setup to get the best photographs, as well as ideas on how I can execute the proposal smoothly and successfully.

The proposal was beyond perfect and I was amazed by the entire setup, it definitely exceeded my expectations. It was a good choice engaging the help of Hello Joi; they are certainly the experts when it comes to celebratory events and they delivered my proposal in the most memorable way, professionally. Thank you, Hello Joi!

 

PLANNING YOUR OWN PROPOSAL

 

Steps to Take Note of When Planning Your Proposal

Now that you’re inspired to pop the question in the most memorable way ever, it’s time to get down to business.

Planning for a proposal is exciting and yet nerve-wracking. You’re swamped with emotions and pressured to come up with something good enough to move your partner, it’s no surprise that you’re feeling anxious. However, keep in mind that a great proposal isn’t about the amount of money you put in or the number of roses you get. It is about your journey with your partner.

By following the steps we’ve provided for you below, they can help make proposal planning a smoother process and you’ll soon be happily engaged.

 

1. Budgeting

Managing your finances is the first step to any successful proposal. First, determine how much money you can fork out for your proposal, allocate the budget well and be open to changes in your budget after enquiring on the respective expenses required. Use your allocated budget as a general guide and try not to stray too far from what you’ve set for yourself. Ensuring that you have ample funds for the things you need at your proposal is the key to success.

Some of the things you’ll need to budget for include your engagement ring, venue rental, proposal planner and decorations, proposal flower bouquet, photographer and videographer, as well as transportation of people and logistics. This list is not exhaustive, so if you have other things in mind, do factor them into your budget.

 

2. Engagement Ring

Have you ever asked yourself why the need for an engagement ring if you’re going to get wedding bands for your wedding? Well, an engagement ring is not just for show, it stands for the promise of marriage, symbolising devotion and commitment to your partner. The ring’s circular shape also symbolises ‘without beginning and end’ and that has become a universal sign of everlasting love, faithfulness and infinity.

While it might not be the most important part of a proposal, it will still be good to have, especially if you have an extra budget. When picking your ring, don’t just simply go for the prettiest looking one, rather, take into consideration the message of love you’d like to convey to them through this ring. You should also consider what your partner would like as they will most probably be showing this ring off for a while, announcing their engagement to you. So, do it right and pick a ring that suits your partner’s taste.

 

3. Proposal Theme

Now that you’ve gotten the budget planning and engagement ring shopping out of the way, next comes the actual planning of how and where you will be popping the question.

Start by coming up with a theme you’d ideally like to have. It need not be a fancy one, but just simply thinking about the effect you want to achieve can help you pick out proposal decorations easily and simplify the whole planning process. It is important to procure items that revolve around the chosen theme so that everything is coordinated. Otherwise, things may look out of place.

A theme is a subject or an idea of what you want to convey. For example, a botanical theme with plenty of foliage and beautiful blooms that symbolise love, eternity and grace because your partner loves nature; or even recreating an overseas farm theme setting because that was your first overseas trip together.

 

4. Location

Choosing the right location to propose is crucial. Not only does it help in setting the mood, but it can also deliver the right message for you and even help you save some bucks if you’re lucky.

If you’re looking at simple and intimate proposals, opt to hold it at home, at a nearby park, or you could book a hotel room overlooking the cityscape for some extravagance. If you want something grand, you could look for romantic proposal spots and have decorations set up, or even propose to your beloved in the witness of strangers around Marina Bay.

Remember to think about your partner’s likes and dislikes, do they want to be proposed to surrounded by a sea of strangers? Or do they want an intimate dinner accompanied by a simple “will you marry me?” Here are some locations you can consider:

 

a. Mr Stork @ Andaz Hotel

Mr Stork is a rooftop bar nestled at the 39th floor of Andaz Hotel with alfresco dining. You can choose to do a simple proposal over dinner or even prepare a simple proposal setup at their teepee hut to charm your partner. It’s the perfect place for a proposal up high up in the air, be it in the day, during sunset, or at night.

 

b. Fullerton Bay Hotel

Albeit a rather pricey hotel, some of the rooms at the Fullerton Bay Hotel overlook the Marina Bay area, providing a stunning view of Singapore’s night lights and the Marina Bay Sands.

You can prepare an exquisite proposal set-up with beautiful balloon decorations, candles, photographs and have rose petals scattered all over the floor. Or, you can save on all of that and simply get down on one knee with a bouquet in your hand and the night view as your backdrop.

 

c. East Coast Park

Located in the east of Singapore, East Coast Park is one of Singapore’s treasured urban getaways, with a long stretch of sandy beach and a beautiful view of the oceans. Set up a beautiful picnic by the sea, or go glamping at night and propose to the sound of waves breaking against the shore.

 

d. Summerhouse Garden Dome

The Summerhouse Garden Dome is a romantic dining space set within the verdant oasis of an edible garden. Pop your question right before sunset, then indulge in a delectable 8-course dinner with the accompaniment of soft music and a beautiful surrounding.

 

5. Date, Time and Timeline

The day you propose, the timeline of your day and the time of your proposal needs some planning as well! Plan your timeline according to what time you’d like to propose. Perhaps you wish to do it when it’s completely dark, or with the golden streaks of sunlight washing over the both of you. These will all depend on how well you plan the day’s event - what time you should set out, when does the set-up have to be completed, what time you need to pick up your partner, etc.

Proposing any day is fine, but proposing on a specific day special to both of you might be even more meaningful. It could be the day both of you first met years ago, your anniversary, or even your first date.

 

6. Invitations

Invitations are important if you want to propose with family and friends present. Be sure to prepare invitations in secret and provide instructions to your guests such that they don’t accidentally slip the secret out to your partner.

 

7. Proposal Decorations

Decorations set the mood and help to deliver a story and a message to your partner. Whether you’re filling the place with photos, little notes, balloons, or just flowers; having proper proposal decorations has a significant impact on the atmosphere you’re trying to create. Not only does it beautify the space but it can also ease your anxiety and help you deliver the question of the day with ease. If you’re worried about styling your proposal, we’ve compiled a list of things you need to take note of in a section below.

 

8. Script

Lastly, the very thing that will convince your partner to say “yes” is you and your script. Move your partner and show him or her how you feel deep down by drafting up a romantic speech filled with all the dreams you have for your life together, as well as the promises you want to make.

Remember to practice the speech so that you don’t stutter out of nervousness and forget everything you want to say. Also, pace yourself and deliver your speech slowly to savour the moment and clearly convey your heartfelt thoughts.

 

BEAUTIFUL PROPOSAL SET-UP IDEAS

 

Balloon Decorations

Balloons have been used as decorations for many decades and they continue to be a top favourite in parties and celebrations. They make excellent decorative pieces for proposals as well. From a vast range of colours to diverse shapes and styles, there are balloon decorations suitable for every occasion.

 

1. Balloon Bouquets

Infuse your proposal setting with pops of colour wrapped up elegantly into balloon bouquets; these fill the space with life and vibrancy while enhancing your setup, allowing everyone present to immerse themselves in the lovely atmosphere.

 

2. Foil Balloons

Heart foil balloons in pops of passionate red, graceful pink or even your partner’s favourite colour can create a burst of love into the air. Line these balloon decorations up with bunches of flowers to lead your partner up to the proposal spot, or fill them with helium and release them to the ceiling for a cushy and captivating indoor proposal setup. This will have your partner falling head over heels for you again.

 

3. Bubble Balloons

Large and clear bubble balloons can be customised with messages representing your celebration. It could be a “She Said Yes!” message perfect for the commemorative photo after the proposal, or a “Will You Marry Me?” message to deliver the day’s most important question for you. Accessorise them with dainty fairy lights and you have the perfect, enchanting proposal decoration.

These customised balloons are also ideal for smaller-scale proposals where you wish to keep things simple yet beautiful, customise one balloon of your choice with a simple balloon bouquet decoration and they can turn every cosy nook into an intimate proposal setup.

 

4. Coloured Latex Balloons

Simple yet captivating, coloured latex balloons are so versatile that they can be used for any event. They are especially good for indoor hotel proposals. They could be filled with helium and left to float near the ceiling to create a dreamy bubbly effect, or left on the ground for an additional splash of colour. You could even customise large balloon garlands with them for a dynamic and striking backdrop.

 

Essential Decorations

Apart from balloon decorations, you can incorporate many other interesting elements into your proposal setup for the perfect atmosphere. These additional items beautify your setup, they can even hold a special meaning, delivering a deeper message for you.

 

1. Floral Decorations

Flowers each hold varied meanings, and picking the right ones will help you convey the message you wish to send to your partner. They not only provide colour to your setup, but they also soften the aesthetics with their beauty, bring a wafting fragrance to the space, and add more romance to your proposal.

While roses are typically the flowers used to say “I Love You”, there are numerous types of flowers out there awaiting your discovery.

Calla lilies symbolises purity, holiness and faithfulness; Dahlias were used to signify a lasting bond and commitment between two people during the Victorian era; Hydrangeas represent love, harmony, gratitude and peace; and Lavender symbolises devotion and virtue.

These are just a few out of the many flower species available. Spend some time looking up the significance of flowers and select the few that resonate with you to represent your sentiments for your partner.

 

2. Photographs

Photographs are an excellent approach to elicit an emotional response from your partner if you want to include a "cry factor," as our client Gabriel did. Looking through photos taken over your relationship will bring back wonderful memories and remind your partner of your affection for one another.

It is the perfect pre-proposal activity the both of you can engage in together before saying yes to a lifetime of love and commitment.

 

3. Lighting

The ambience is crucial during a proposal, bright soccer field lights will be blinding and improper during a proposal, while dull and dark spaces will leave your partner confused. The trick here is to pick a dim area and fill it with soft lights such as candles or fairy lights.

If you’re proposing indoors, you can even use scented candles to make the ambience more romantic and favourable for an intimate proposal. If you’re having your proposal outside, electronic candles and fairy lights are a better choice in case of strong winds.

 

4. Signages

What’s a proposal without a sign? For a simple setup, hang a banner with the question “Will You Marry Me?” or lay “Marry Me” marquee lights as a statement piece so that it’s the first thing your partner will see.

Alternatively, you can enlist the help of friends and family to hold up giant letter foil balloons  spelling out “Will You Marry Me?” to get them involved in the proposal process. Your partner will be touched by the efforts, and the presence of loved ones will make the proposal much more personal.

Planning your own proposal is a lot of work, but it can be really simple, especially if you engage the help of a professional proposal planner. A skilled planner and stylist will be able to communicate your sincere emotions in a few simple steps. They are experienced to provide proper advice, from flower choices to balloon decorations and even your proposal timing based on your location chosen.

At Hello Joi, we begin the planning process by first getting to know you and your partner better, understanding your budget, needs and wants before proposing concepts and venues and exploring options for design and styling.

Once we nail down the concepts, we strategically plan and weave every element seamlessly into your location; from choosing the colour palette to the placement of each ornament, everything is done with love. When we’re done planning your proposal and pulling together vendors for your big day, we’ll run through the final suite of plans with you and even run rehearsals with you to get you ready.

As we believe that your celebration needs to speak to you and your partner, we do not offer standard packages. Your proposal should be an experience unique to both of you and be a reflection of your relationship together. Every decoration, down to the smallest detail has to complement your love story and speak the words of affection you wish to convey. This is why we work very closely with our clients to ensure that they get the most personalised proposal experience possible.

Focus on enjoying and celebrating your relationship’s greatest and most precious moments while we sweat the tough parts for you. Ignite the love between you and your dearest and step into eternal love and promise with Hello Joi. Get engaged today!