Archive for the ‘Groom with a View’ Category

How to spell out a proposal to your intended...

Daydreaming about your destination wedding but he still hasn’t put a ring on it? Hint: Forward this article to him…

Surprisingly, I hear from nail-biting, nervous men about planning the perfect proposal because of my book, Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, which lists the Top Ten Napa Valley Proposals. Usually, these sweet men just need reassurance and a shot of romantic confidence (usually via a female) to set their fears to rest that – yes, you have planned something your woman will love and get her to accept your request at marriage.

One charming gentleman, who bought my book online, presented his girlfriend with a copy of the book on the plane as he whisked her away for a surprise romantic getaway.  Once in Napa he arranged a mind-blowing proposal that included breath-taking vineyard views, luxurious bubbles and on bended knee offered a bling-bling ring; an enchanting proposal that even the most jaded women couldn’t resist. Now they are planning their vineyard vows, via a destination wedding in wine country.

Au contraire to what some woman may think about men and proposals, I’ve learned that it is one of the most nerve-racking experiences for a man, (worse than walking down the aisle). This is one thing in the relationship that they plan and execute alone and they want to do everything they can to impress you, show you’re their sincere love and get you to say YES! So if you think your man needs a little assistance here are some tips that I’ve perfected along the way in helping the men plan the perfect proposal that will be followed by a loud, often tearful yes.

Do:

Be Creative; Use an inside joke between you two, enlist family and friends or something different like using chocolate sauce to write “Will you Marry Me?” on her dessert plate.

Surprise Her; Make sure that there is a surprise element in your proposal. The surprise element is what makes it so special and memorable. Woman love to be surprised!

Speak from the Heart; No matter when or where if you profess your love in a genuine way the proposal will be perfect.

Don’t:

Not Plan; Thinking and planning ahead will show her that you took the extra care to display your love to her. A lack of planning may show her that little thought was put into this momentous moment, and perhaps your future together.

Make Her Uncomfortable; By now you should know if she is a private or public person. If she is shy and uneasy in front of crowds proposing in the middle of NYC times square may cause her more embarssment then joy.

Propose Without a Ring; Hate to break it to you but – yes – a ring is required. It can be a gumball machine ring but it is a symbol of your commitment and if the woman loves you it doesn’t matter the size, shape or color because she will say I DO!

About Autumn

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here. Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called Love Vines published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

From advice on your fiancé seeing an ex, to wedding night whoopee and the 10 WORST ways to save money at your wedding, enter theplunge.com. Magazine worthy editorial, with smart-boy banter, there’s a reason I was addicted from the get-go. It’s got a dash of wiser, in-the-know older brother advice, and is funny as hell (yet not at your expense in that “cooler than you” snarky vibe that’s pervading many online communities these days). The Plunge knows how to keep me engaged, being an aficionado of the classic men’s magazine: I read Details and Esquire because I embrace and appreciate a savvy, humorous male voice with a dash of the satirical and sublime. Think Chuck Klosterman or A.J. Jacobs, elder statesmen in the print publishing world but young enough to garner the street cred when dispensing advice.

Theplunge.com goes even further: it is also a stellar resource for brides to help them navigate, the “what’s he really thinking?” conundrum. Reading The Plunge is like getting all the answers to the exam before the test. It’s a road map to the lizard mind of man, as well as a mirror on the female psyche. After reading The Plunge, a bride might find it necessary to do a reality check and ask herself if it’s really worth going on a tri-state killing spree over the wrong color of cake icing. I went ahead and took their Bridezilla test, to see how I scored, and wasn’t surprised with the results: Alarmingly Mellow Bride. But remember, my hubs and I registered for surfboards and wetsuits, as opposed to silver settings.

ThePlunge.com Bridezilla Quiz Excerpt:
Sample Question
She jokes with you about how stupid most weddings are, how everything gets blown out of proportion, how she wishes the whole production would just disappear.
A) Yeah. It’s weird. She’s more like the typical groom-she thinks the whole thing is a chore.
B) Are you serious? Are there any brides who act like that? Can they please call mine?

With funny and useful offerings such as:

How Wedding Porn is Brainwashing Your Girlfriend
Breaking Down Bridezilla, What Kind of Bride is Your Girlfriend
The Ex Factor: Should You Invite Your Ex Girlfriend?
How to Get the Bride to Listen to Your Ideas
Wedding Night Sex: 10 Rules
Staying Out of Prison: Avoiding Newlywed Pregnancy

All great information for the groom and a reality check for the bride (if the groom feels she is suffering from temporary insanity or turns into a Bridezilla). In one of the magazine articles I wrote for Destination I Do Magazine, I pose the question: is the guy waiting for you at the end of the aisle your future husband or a hologram?

It’s important to remember that the groom is a 50/50 part of this wedding equation, and has a say, a voice and equal rights. Theplunge.com is great resource for anyone, bride or groom ready to take the plunge all the way down the aisle…..and  beyond.