Have you seen the video going around about the dog that ruined a marriage proposal? Well of course he ruined the proposal! He is a dog and could care less that you are asking the most important question of your life, he just wants to run around. There are a few things you should leave out of your proposal if you want things to go perfectly. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule but in general you should leave out the following:
Pets
Sure, Spot is your best friend. But that doesn't mean he needs to be part of your marriage proposal. Even if your girlfriend loves him just as much as you do, leave him at home for the big event. He could knock things over, run away, or go potty at the wrong moment. Pets are unpredictable and on such an important day you want to avoid anything going wrong. And please, do not give your animal the ring to hold in his mouth and bring it out on cue when you are ready to propose. Do you really want to trust an animal with an expensive ring? Not to mention, it is kind of cheesy.
Young Children
If you have children, no matter how cute they are, don't include them on your proposal day. Of course there are exceptions here, but every parent knows that children are unpredictable. They can get fussy or they can get sick. And if you plan on incorporating the child into your proposal, like having the child do something on cue, they aren't always reliable. Another reason to leave little Jenny at home is because proposing to your loved one is a very special time and you really do want it to be just about the two of you.
Volunteers
If you are planning a flash mob proposal or a proposal that requires a lot of people to be involved, asking for volunteers is cost-effective, but they could ruin your proposal. Why, you ask? Because nothing is in it for them! Why do they care if they are five minutes late, can't dance well, or don't show up at all? You aren't giving them anything, so they don't owe you anything. It is best to either ask people you know or hire professionals for your wedding proposal.
New Technology
Just because you finally upgraded your Motorola flip phone to a brand new iPhone4S, that doesn't mean you should use it as part of your upcoming marriage proposal. Technology can be an amazing addition to a proposal and really bring the "wow" factor. But that is only the case if you really know how to use the new technology. If you are still figuring out how to use your new phone, laptop, or GPS, don't make it a part of your engagement.
The Great Outdoors
This is a no-brainer but often overlooked. Keep weather in mind when you are planning a proposal. If you live in an area where there is unpredictable weather, propose indoors to be on the safe side. Do your honey a favor and don't propose to her in the snow or scorching heat just because you think it is cool. She might not! If you insist on proposing outdoors, have a backup plan.
There are too many things to list that you should not bring or rely on during your marriage proposal. Just ask yourself when you are planning your proposal, "Could this ruin the perfect moment?" If the answer is yes, leave it out.
Michele is a Romance Expert who specializes in Romantic Date and Proposal Planning. She owns The Heart Bandits and has been featured on Fox News, Houston Chronicle, Orange County Register, NBC Los Angeles, and KTLA news. Contact The Heart Bandits to have them plan your romantic date or marriage proposal. For more information