The weather is getting colder, the days are getting shorter, and the time to get cosy with a good old rom-com is here. So grab some chocolate and a box of tissues and get ready to have your heart melted with the most romantic on-screen proposals of all time.
1. Love Actually
If Colin Firth stuttering sweet nothings in broken Italian doesn’t make you swoon, then we don’t know what will. After ditching his adulterous girlfriend, he meets the Portuguese housekeeper, Aurelia, while writing his book. Apparently, things develop quickly once you’ve both leapt half naked into an eel infested lake together. Bravo bonita Aurelia!
2. The Time Traveler’s Wife
In this film adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s debut novel, the time traveller in question is Henry, who has a genetic impairment that means he travels in time – even when he doesn’t want to. As you can imagine, this causes all sorts of chaos. While his girlfriend is sleeping, Henry slips the ring onto her finger to wake her up. So romantic, albeit a little presumptuous. But it’s okay, because Rachel McAdams decides to surprise him right back by pretending to refuse his proposal and assert her ‘own sense of free will’. You go Glen Coco! (Whoops, wrong film).
3. Sweet Home Alabama
These two don’t actually end up together in the end, but it doesn’t mean that the opening proposal wasn’t magnificent. Reece Witherspoon is swept off her feet as her soon-to-be fiancé proposes in the middle of Tiffany’s. As she accepts, Patrick Dempsey clicks his fingers and every ring in the room is presented to Witherspoon in a glittering display of his love. Shame that these two couldn’t work things out – it would have been a hell of a wedding!
4. The Proposal
Controlling bosses, visa issues and looney in-laws rarely equate to true love. But add Ryan Reynolds into the mix, and somehow this awkward office proposal turns into one of the most romantic demonstrations of love that we have ever seen. After agreeing to get married for the mutual benefit of promised visas and promotions, Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds accidentally fall in love. Just as she is about to be shipped off to Canada, Reynolds gets down on one knee and proposes for real in front of the entire office. Watch it and try not to cry, we dare you.
5. A Walk to Remember
It may have been made in 2002, but there will never be anything more romantic than when Shane West fulfils Mandy Moore’s dying wish by proposing to her. It’s sweet, it’s simple, and it happens under the stars. Without a doubt, this is a proposal to remember.
6. Sex and the City
A controversial choice, we couldn’t leave out the moment that Mr Big eventually proposes to Carrie inside the wardrobe. Some of us watch in horror as Sarah Jessica Parker takes back her famously unreliable ex-boyfriend yet again, while others melt as he slips the Manolo Blahnik onto her foot. Fair enough Carrie – an engagement ring can’t buy love, but shoes.
7. Pride and Prejudice
This couple’s relationship is fiery, furious and filled with misunderstandings. After playing cat and mouse for the entire film, Kiera Knightly finally realises that the man who has repulsed her for the past few months with his snobbish attitude is actually the man of her dreams. While the words ‘will you marry me’ never actually leave Matthew Macfaydan’s mouth, we think that ‘I never wish to be parted from you from this day on‘ is close enough.
8. Fifty Shades Darker
In classic Christian Grey style, this proposal has it all. The flowers, the lights, the black tie dress code. After a complicated start to their relationship, Christian and Anastasia finally seal the deal in this sultry and sexy sequel. Although it was a surprisingly traditional proposal for such a raunchy couple, we’re glad that they left the chains and whips in the playroom for this one.
9. He’s Just Not That Into You
If anyone knows how to pull on our heart strings, it’s Jennifer Aniston. In this scene, she’s accepting the proposal from her long-term boyfriend. After a brief bump in the road, these two finally worked it out and the proposal is just adorable.
10. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
And we couldn’t have our top 10 favourites without including this clip from the second Bridget Jones film. We know so many brides who have accidentally guessed that their groom was about to propose and ruined the moment! But, when all’s said and done, it doesn’t matter if the proposal doesn’t go entirely to plan – as long as the answer is yes!
What’s your favourite movie proposal? Did your husband-to-be propose like a scene from the movies? Were you taken by surprise? We’d love to hear your story! Why not start a new discussion on the Wedding Ideas Forum about it all and see what your fellow brides have to add.
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