Movies are idealised versions of our messy, no-quite-so-perfect reality. This includes marriage proposals, which are often even grander and more emotionally satisfying on the screen. Here are some of the best marriage proposals through the ages.
1. Love Actually
This proposal is all about the power of love. Despite never having spoken a word the other could understand, Jamie and Aurelia feel a connection, leading both to attempt to learn the other’s language. We can’t help but melt as her entire town follows him as he searches for Aurelia and proposes to her in clumsy Portuguese and she says yes in equally clumsy English.
2. Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason
After two whole movies watching these two be on and off depending on which frustrating mishap or misunderstanding has happened, we finally get a typically Bridget awkward proposal. After interrupting Mark’s meeting to ask him to take her back, Bridget awkwardly leaves only to be met with a proposal from Mark in the hallway, even repeating it to make it slightly more perfect.
3. Sex and the City
Big and Carrie were the biggest ‘will they, won’ they’ couples of the 1990s. While the couple’s first proposal is dull and uninspiring, after their first attempt at a wedding didn’t go as planned we got the proposal we deserved. Carrie deserved nothing short of a proposal in a beautiful penthouse apartment with the perfect Manolo Blahnick heels.
4. Walk the Line
There is no bigger proposal than one that takes place on stage in front of everyone. Although this isn’t the first proposal throughout the movie, as Johnny is relentless despite June’s protests, it is the one where she says yes. Some may call it peer pressure (how can you say no to that blackmail?) but for the sake of fantasy, we’re chalking this up to a grand gesture.
5. The Proposal
This one had to make the list, the entire movie is premised on the concept of a proposal! While Margaret’s deal with Andrew is a kind of proposal, the real heart-warmer is that Andrew’s declaration of love comes after an antagonistic relationship grows into love with him finally asking her to “Marry me…because I’d like to date you.”
6. He’s Just Not That Into You
This entire movie about relationships involves many characters, but the most down-to-Earth, frustrating pair are Neil and Beth. Neil doesn’t believe in marriage and after an ultimatum by Beth, they break-up and he lives a sad life on his boat. After proving he is more of a husband not married to her than her sisters’ real husbands, Beth takes Neil back. While that may have been a sweet ending in itself, the best moment comes when Neil proposes using a pair of cargo pants Beth hates. “Check the pocket first,” he says, where she finds the ring box. He drops to a knee and asks, “Will you marry me?” and she says, “Of course.”
7. About Time
This simple proposal is as sweet as the film it features in. Tim wakes Mary up to ask her to marry him, at first she doesn’t realise what he’s getting at but once she does she says yes. This simple, truly romantic proposal is much sweeter and realistic than a grand proposal.
8. Sweet Home Alabama
This is a double proposal spectacular and which one you prefer really depends on what kind of person you are. First there is the New York lavish surprise proposal where Andrew takes Melanie into a darkened room before flicking on the lights and revealing it to be the inside of Tiffany’s so she can pick a ring. The second is the sweet, childhood sweetheart proposal between a young Melanie and Jake as he asks her to marry him. “Why would you want to marry me for, anyhow?” she asks. “So I can kiss you anytime I want,” he responds.
9. When Harry Met Sally
Harry fulfils the ideal of the proper but romantic speech to convince Sally that they are meant to be together. “When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible,” he says.
10. Crazy Rich Asians
One of the most recent entries on this list, this proposal takes the cliché airport chase to the next level, ending up actually on the plane. After getting the approval and ring from his mother, Nick rushes to Rachel before she flies back to the US. It’s a cute spin and the beautiful ring and engagement party at the end makes it one for the books.
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