“Will you marry me?”
It is amazing as to how those four little words can change your life. Of course you want the scenario to be perfect. Of course you want your soon-to-be betrothed to remember that moment for the rest of their lives. But part of the excitement and the anticipation comes from planning that intimate, romantic moment yourself.
So why outsource it?
Well, for many men (and some women) who are planning a dream proposal, there is that nagging fear of getting it right. You want the moment to be perfect, to be memorable, to go off without a hitch. And you can. For a price.
Enter the “marriage proposal planner.” Sarah Pease, who owns Brillant Event Planning in New York, focused solely on weddings and parties until recently, when she realized that there was a real need to help create the perfect proposals.
For $500, a plan can be devised. For a mere $12,000, plus additional fees, the entire proposal plan can be created without having to lift a finger.
Matthew Fowkes, 35, of Pittsburgh, wanted to propose to Melissa Barnickel, 25, in New York City...where neither of them had ever visited.
“I wanted her to have a fairy tale,” he explained.
And for $7,000....the fairy tale was hers!
Ms. Pease charged $2,000 to plan the production, while the other $5,000 went towards paying vendors. Ms. Barnickel loves vintage chandeliers, flowers and anything French.
Ms. Pease suggested Mr. Fowkes propose in Belleville, a bistro located in Brooklyn. They decorated the room with a wrought-iron arch and chandeliers. Four singers sang Train’s “Marry Me” when Mr. Fowkes dropped to one knee.
The answer? “Yes,” of course!
But is it worth it? Granted, it was a beautiful gesture and a memorable moment, but is this something that is necessary or affordable? Of course, not all companies charge as much as Ms. Pease. Some proposal planners can be consulted with for $100/hour. However I have to wonder, is this just another waste of money?
As many of you are aware of, we are in a recession. And while some may be able to afford such a lavish way to propose, for many of us, this concept seems out of reach and just another way to separate us from one another. Lately, the “have” and the “have-nots” in our society are divided more and more deeply, it seems, and I wonder if this is just another way to exploit the “haves” and make the “have-nots” feel even worse.
Or maybe I am just being incredibly cynical.
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Tell me your thoughts...do you think this is a practical way to propose, or yet another overblown waste of money? Share with me on Facebook or tweet me at @nataliestweets.
erikdolnack
It’s amazing to me how the rich cannot do anything for themselves. They even need people to creatively tell them ways to propose. Like an unused muscle gone atrophy, the rich have lost their ability to think for themselves and be original. When one class of society has this much money to waste, I’d say its time to raise tax-rates on the super-rich today.
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“Like an unused muscle gone atrophy, the rich have lost their ability to think for themselves and be original.”
You always have such interesting things to say, Erik!
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I have always considered it suspicious when a man goes completely overboard on the marriage proposal. The ostentatious public displays of love and elaborate staged proposals seem very narcissistic. Its almost like he is overcompensating for something else in himself that is lacking. Like maybe he knows unconsciously that the marriage isn’t a good idea or that he will probably mess it all up in the end. I much prefer a sincere, well-thought-out, intimate approach.
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I agree, Sheisclothedinspace. I think the best gestures of romance are simple, intimate and come from the heart…not necessarily from a party planner 500 miles away…