I Propose

6 sweet engagement ideas for lovebirds looking to lock it down in 2022

Contrary to popular belief, Valentine’s Day is actually not the biggest day for proposals and engagements. According to wedding planning website The Knot, the most popular day of the year to ask someone to spend their life with you is actually Christmas Day, followed closely by Christmas Eve.

Nevertheless, love is definitely in the air at this time of year, and whether you’re plotting a proposal for Feb. 14 or thinking about putting the gears in motion for an engagement sometime later this year, the big question is this: How are you going to ask the BIG question?

A proposal, when executed correctly, should be like your own personal version of a fairytale. When you think about how, when, and where to pop the question, the “perfect” plan should depend a lot on you, your partner, and the love story you’ve shared together so far. Indoors or outdoors? Fancy or no-frills? Summer or winter? Privately or with an audience? The answers to these questions and others will vary for every couple. 

So while we can’t tell you what proposal idea is the perfect fit for you and your significant other, we can give you a few cool, unique proposal ideas that we think are worthy of consideration. Fun, romantic, quirky, and northern Michigan through and through, these six ideas will get you thinking outside the box as you plot your own big romantic moment.

Take a Hike
If the person you’re proposing to is the outdoorsy type, then a hike on a beautiful day, culminating in the moment you pop the question, might be the perfect way to go. Choosing the right hiking spot takes the proposal — often just a few minutes at most — and turns it into a whole memorable experience. Plus, if you plot your destination right, you can give yourself an unbeatable backdrop for this big life milestone.

We recommend Clay Cliffs Natural Area, a Leelanau Conservancy nature preserve near Leland whose trails lead to overlooks with truly breathtaking views of both Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau. Just take a look at that picture and tell us you wouldn’t want to have that view in the background while you’re asking the love of your life to marry you. You might even consider hiring a photographer on the sly to document the big moment — though that option requires a bit more sleight of hand (and surreptitious paparazzi hiding in trees) to avoid blowing the surprise!

Afterward, stop by one of Leelanau County’s many wineries for celebratory cheers. Spots like Dune Bird Winery, Aurora Cellars, Green Bird Organic Cellars, 45 North Vineyard, Blustone Vineyards, Tandem Ciders, Two K Cidery, Silver Leaf Vineyard, and MAWBY Vineyards are all within a 25-minute drive of Clay Cliffs.

Book a Cruise
If we had to hazard a guess, we’d say that the vast majority of marriage proposals in northern Michigan take place within view of water. After all, so much of the area’s natural beauty is tied to the deep gorgeous blues of Lake Michigan, Grand Traverse Bay, Torch Lake, and all the other lovely water bodies that are within driving distance. We love a good beach proposal, but if you’re looking for something a bit more unique, why not try the anchors-aweigh approach and propose on a romantic boat ride?

Discovery Cruises, which offers scenic voyages on West Grand Traverse Bay, is the perfect way to execute a nautical proposal even if you don’t have a boat at your disposal.

On a budget? Book a few spots for you and your partner on an evening happy hour cruise, a 1.5-hour experience complete with light snacks, a full-service bar, and plenty of indoor or outdoor spots to sit, talk, and get down on one knee.

Alternatively, if you want to go bigger but more intimate, you can book a private cruise for just you and your significant other, plus or minus a celebration-ready (or support-ready, if the answer is no) contingent of friends and family.

Go Back in Time
One of the reasons that Mackinac Island is such a popular tourist destination is that it affords a unique opportunity to step back to a time when the pace of life was a bit more leisurely and everything felt simpler — hence the lack of automobiles.

Those same qualities can make the island a beguiling place for a proposal — specifically, a proposal on the porch of one of Michigan’s most iconic buildings. Built in 1887, the Grand Hotel has hosted everyone from Thomas Edison to Mark Twain to five different United States presidents. The porch — the longest one in the world, at 660 feet — is the hotel’s most famous feature, overlooking a massive garden and the deep blue waters of Lake Huron.

Our advice? Book a room at the Grand Hotel (it opens May 6 this year), spend a day exploring the island, get a romantic carriage ride back to the hotel, head down to the porch for cocktail hour, pop the question, and then spend the evening celebrating inside the Grand’s exceptionally grand Main Dining Room or Cupola Bar. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes: The Grand Hotel’s Terrace Room features cocktails and live music most nights of the season.

Rise to the Top of the World
Northern Michigan isn’t exactly known for its skyscrapers, but the area’s tallest buildings are still some of its top (pun intended) destinations for couples about to get engaged.

For example, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa touts its Aerie Restaurant & Lodge as a hyper-popular spot for proposals among locals and out-of-town guests alike. “Many couples have made a forever memory at Aerie, riding the elevator up as boyfriend and girlfriend and riding back down as an engaged couple,” the hotel romanticizes on its website. Certainly, if you’re looking for a romantic spot to share a meal and a bottle of wine with your significant other before popping the question, it’s tough to beat Aerie and its glorious 360-degree views, 16 floors up above Grand Traverse County.

Note: The Beacon Lounge at the top of Traverse City’s Park Place Hotel has also been a popular local proposal spot, but it is closed until further notice. 

Catch a Movie
“Dinner and a movie” is the classic date night setup, which means that, if you’re trying to catch your partner off guard with a true “surprise proposal,” a good way to do it might be to sneak the proposal into what at first seems like a perfectly normal date. And while proposals at the dinner table are an age-old tradition, it might be just as fun to build the big romantic moment into the other part of the date.

Our pitch: Rent out a private theater, either for just the two of you or for a group of your closest friends and family, but don’t let on to your partner that your trip to the movies is anything out of the ordinary. Then, when it’s time for the surprise reveal, pull out the ring and make your big romantic speech.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made movie theaters more amenable to renting out private auditoriums for affordable rates. In most cases, you’ll have a lot of flexibility with the movie you decide to watch —ranging from new releases to old favorites — plus access to concessions and other typical theater amenities. For rates, fees, scheduling availability, and other specific rules or guidelines, you’ll want to check with the theater where you’re thinking about popping the question. In northern Michigan, AMC Theatres in Traverse City, The Bay in Suttons Bay, and The Garden Theater in Frankfort all offer rentals for private events and screenings.

Plan an Elegant Picnic
If you’re marrying a childhood best friend or high school sweetheart, there’s a good chance your first date looked more like an impromptu picnic than a fancy dinner at an upscale restaurant. If that’s the case, then why not go back to the beginning with your proposal by planning a picnic in a spot that means something to both you and your partner?

With the help of TC Picnic Company, you can make a picnic every bit as romantic, as meticulously planned, and as photo-op ready as any restaurant reservation. TC Picnic Company specializes in “premium pop-up picnic experiences,” providing rugs, blankets, pillows, tables, and lovely tablescape designs, and setting it all up in the location of your choosing. Add-ons — like bamboo backdrops, light-up teepees, floral arrangements, and hanging lights — can add an extra romantic flare to a picnic. You’ll need to bring your own food and drinks, but leave everything else to the experts. Learn more at www.tcpicnicco.com.

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