Wedding Ideas

If you are searching for the perfect backdrop for your romantic proposal, look no further than the stunning landscape of the North Coast of California. Explore the natural beauty of ancient redwood forests, rugged cliffs and oceanside hiking trails, and enjoy the pleasures of fine wine, gourmet food and luxurious spas. 

Venture north of San Francisco and take a road trip along the breathtaking coastline where you will find some of the best places to propose in California. 

Where to Propose on California’s North Coast

1. Redwood Empire 

Just five hours north of San Francisco, you will find the famous scenic drive, the Avenue of the Giants. This 31-mile stretch of old Highway 101 winds through Humboldt Redwoods State Park and gives a memorable tour of majestic redwood trees that are hundreds of years old. Rent a car, reserve a room at a B&B in nearby Ferndale or Garberville and pack a picnic basket full of local meat, cheese, bread, fruit and wine for lunch. Walk a trail in the Rockefeller Forest, featuring some of the largest redwoods in the world, and when you find the right spot, get down on one knee to propose with a diamond cluster engagement ring. 

2. Wine & Dine 

The small wine country town of Sonoma is only an hour from San Francisco but a world away from the hustle and bustle of the big city (and the perfect spot for a romantic proposal). Book a cozy room at the historic Hidden Oak Inn, located one block from the Sonoma Plaza. Sample zesty zinfandel wine at nearby Ravenswood Winery, taste locally made cheese at Sonoma Cheese Factory and Vella Cheese Company, followed by fresh breads and pastries from the Basque Boulangerie Cafe. Once you’ve regained your appetite, splurge on a decadent meal at The Girl and the Fig. Take an after-dinner stroll around the Plaza, and pop the question on a quiet park bench near the duck pond. 

3. Muddy Waters

In the heart of the Napa Valley and just an hour and a half from San Francisco, the town of Calistoga offers rest, relaxation and lots and lots of mud. Native American tribes in Calistoga historically used natural mud baths for therapeutic purposes, and commercial spas have been around since the California Gold Rush. Sign up for a couple’s mud bath treatment at Golden Haven Spa and get pampered with a warm mud soak, a clay facial mask and a mineral springs shower. Arrange with the spa to bring in champagne (with the diamond cluster engagement ring tied on a ribbon around her glass) during your private jacuzzi time at the end, and ask her to be your wife.

Find the perfect engagement ring for your romantic proposal on California’s North Coast. 

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If you're thinking of popping the question this Valentine's Day, you better get crackin'! You have less than a month left to order a gorgeous diamond cluster ring and plan your big ask. It's not necessary to get extravagant -- the important thing is to show your sweetheart that you've put a lot of thought into a romantic Valentine's Day proposal. Our advice is to read through a variety of suggestions and then make them your own. Here are five creative proposal ideas to get those wheels turning.

1. Attach the ring to your set of keys and hide them somewhere that's easy to find. Say to your loved one, "I can't find my keys. Could you help me look for them?" If you happen to lose your keys on a regular basis, she might roll her eyes a little, which will make the surprise all the better.

2. Cook her favorite meal and serve it by candlelight. Chill champagne and pour it out of her sight. Before you bring your love her glass, tie the diamond cluster ring around the stem. When she realizes what's sparkling in addition to the bubbly, get down on one knee and ask for her hand.

3. If your lady goes through the mail every day, hide an envelope in the stack of bills and junk mail. A handwritten envelope will catch her attention, and imagine her surprise when she pulls out a card that asks her to marry you.

4. Buy several bags of her favorite candy -- wrapped works best! -- and spell out "Will you marry me?" on the dining room table. Flowers, candles, and soft music will add ambience. Lead her in with her eyes closed, and when she opens them, be kneeling in front of her and holding up the ring.

5. At the spot where you first met, or a place that you often spend time together, hide a card that shares how you feel about her. Keep it short and sweet, or you'll be standing there awkwardly while she reads your missive! Take a walk hand-in hand, point to the envelope you've hidden, and say, "What's that? Looks like it has your name on it." 

Browse more creative proposal ideas and pick out the perfect diamond engagement ring at MyTrio Rings.

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When you imagine your perfect winter wedding, you may envision your ceremony in a tree-lined ski lodge with a roaring fireplace or everything decorated in a wintry pine cone and snowflake motif. These classic winter wedding ideas will always be in style, but you can also consider some new concepts to put a modern spin on your fairytale nuptials. 

Find Your Own Winter Wedding Style

1. Colors 

Holiday red and green or subtle silver, white and gold are beautiful and traditional winter wedding colors. You can also create your own palette by mixing muted and bold colors for extra impact -- such as silver and royal blue, black and gold or white and red. Rich, modern jewel tones like amethyst purple and emerald green are warm and welcoming, while browns and metallics reflect the quiet beauty of nature during the cold-weather months. 

2. Flowers 

White calla lilies and red roses are classic choices for a winter wedding, but ask your florist about other seasonal options. Amaryllis, tulips, camellias, buttercups, carnations and sweet pea flowers are all easily available in the winter months. You can also incorporate other natural elements, such as pine cones, juniper boughs or berry clusters into bouquets or centerpieces to reflect your creative winter wedding style. 

3. Lighting 

Soft, romantic lighting complements and cozies up a chilly, gray wedding day. Classic tea lights and candlesticks always add ambiance to a wedding ceremony or reception, but you can add another dimension by hanging lanterns or twinkle lights from the ceiling or placing column lights or luminarias along an entrance or pathway.

4. Cocktails 

Heat up cocktail hour by offering guests a few signature hot drinks instead of the usual champagne. Mint hot chocolate, whiskey hot toddy, spiced rum apple cider and Japanese hot sake are all inventive crowd-pleasers. 

5. Dress

Embrace your glamorous side when choosing your winter wedding dress. Feel like a princess or a Hollywood starlet with a gown featuring a long train, a dramatic silhouette (such as a mermaid or trumpet skirt) or a bodice with elegant beading, crystals or lace. Stick with classic white or ivory, or go for a bold winter wedding style by choosing a dress in champagne, silver, gold or a jewel tone (or incorporate one of these colors into a sash or other dress embellishment). Don't forget a stylish stole, shawl or bolero to keep warm in drafty rooms or outdoor pictures! 

What are your favorite winter wedding ideas? 

Browse our current wedding jewelry specials 

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Visiting Maine should be on your bucket list, plain and simple. Why? Its gorgeous natural landscapes, coastal bed and breakfasts, and fresh seafood are not be missed. If you're planning a proposal, consider popping the question in a romantic setting in Maine. Here are a few ideas for an unforgettable proposal.

1. Outdoor Proposals

Maine is famous for the beauty of its state and national parks. Plan a hike in Acadia National Park, which is home to a variety of plants and animals. If your lady likes a challenge, the two of you can scale Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast at 1532 feet. Even if you don't make it all the way to the top on foot, you can enjoy the stunning views of the ocean, forests, and mountains by driving the 20-mile Park Loop Road.

Another romantic idea is to propose at one of Maine's 65 historical lighthouses. Lighthouses provide breathtaking backdrops by day or by night (when its beam sweeps over the water). If you want to climb the lighthouse tower, you can time your visit to happen on Open Lighthouse Day in September, or visit the Permaquid Point lighthouse year-round. Browse a few photos to choose a destination. Portland Head is the most visited and painted lighthouse in New England.  

2. Romantic Maine Bed and Breakfasts

Hidden Pond is a small resort in Kennebunkport that will make you and your loved one feel completely pampered. Rent a bungalow with views of the forest and the nearby beach, and sign up for massages at the spa. Take the shuttle to the beach or the trolley into town. You won't need to worry about a thing, except finding the right moment to present her diamond cluster ring!

In Portland, Maine, relax together at The Chadwick Bed and Breakfast. Cozy, memory foam beds, an attentive staff, and a garden with a hammock for two await you. There's plenty to do in Portland, from touring breweries to eating fresh lobster, so you can choose whether to hole up in your room or venture out and about.

3. Maine's Islands

When you're planning a proposal, Maine's Islands provide you with a number of romantic opportunities. You can see the islands on a Maine Islands boat tour or take a ferry and explore on your own. Some of the islands allow you to camp. Peaks Island is popular for weddings because it offers natural beauty, charming architecture, and organized activities, like bike rentals and kayaking. 

Deer Isle is an artists' colony, with plenty of galleries full of paintings and photography to explore. Pilgrim's Inn provides a comfortable retreat, offering extra amenities like in-room massage, fresh flowers, and locally made chocolates. You and your partner can borrow books from the inn library and read in Adirondack chairs by the pond. Bliss!

If you're proposing in the fall, see our post on where to see the fall colors in New England. Make sure to pick out a perfect diamond cluster ring for your sweetie at MyTrio Rings. 

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Whew. You made it through the whirlwind of the holidays, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, and now you are in need of a little rest and relaxation as you get a fresh start to the year. If you are thinking about proposing to that special someone in your life on Valentine’s Day next month, now is the time to start making preparations, but this process doesn’t have to be stressful. Relax, and enjoy planning an unforgettable and romantic Valentine’s Day proposal!

1. Find the right engagement ring.

This is the step that often throws grooms-to-be into an unnecessary panic. Start by thinking back to conversations you and your girlfriend have had about marriage or your friends getting engaged. Did she make admiring comments about her best friend’s diamond engagement ring or drop any subtle hints about her opinions on white gold vs. yellow gold or a solitaire vs. a cluster ring setting? If you are drawing a blank, consult her close friends and family members for some insider info and take her personal style into account. Ask yourself if you can see her wearing a ring that is understated and elegant or a ring that is more glamorous and bold. Find out her ring size on the sly, and breathe a sigh of relief. 

2. Order online.

Save money without sacrificing quality by ordering the perfect diamond engagement ring for your fiancee from an online vendor. My Trio Rings is able to offer beautiful, high-quality wedding jewelry at affordable prices because of lower overhead costs and other expenses than brick-and-mortar stores. Browse different styles on the My Trio Rings website at your leisure, without the high-pressure sales pitches or time constraints. Print out your top contenders and run them by your girlfriend’s sister, mother or best friend to get a reliable second opinion. When you’re ready, place your order online or ask for help from one of our customer service representatives (available via live chat, email or phone).

3. Pop the question (and the bubbly!).

Plan a Valentine’s Day proposal that is just right for you and your girlfriend. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive to be meaningful and memorable. Consider what you like to do together, what your happiest memories are as a couple and what would be most special for her. For example, if you love exploring the outdoors together and she shies away from the limelight, plan a Valentine’s Day hike and picnic lunch to a beautiful spot and ask her to marry you with an audience of only the birds and squirrels. If she loves to share important moments with the people who are important to her, plan a romantic dinner for two... that turns into a surprise engagement party with your friends and family after you propose. Check out some more ideas for how to propose on Valentine’s Day.

Browse My Trio Rings’ selection of diamond engagement rings.

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