Wedding Ideas

This post is part of the My Trio Rings Precious Places series, which uses Mashable's Top 10 Cities for Getting Engaged list for inspiration.

Who knew that Hamilton, Ohio, was one of the most popular places in the U.S. to propose? Part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area in Southwestern Ohio, the historically industrial Hamilton is known as "The "City of Sculpture" because it is attempting to revitalize itself through the arts. 

Where to Propose in Hamilton, Ohio

Though it may not be as well known as nearby Cincinnati, Hamilton is a great town in which to carry out your creative proposal idea -- if you know where to look, that is. Here are a few of the coolest places to propose:

1. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum

This park is one of the most beautiful highlights Hamilton has to offer. When the weather is nice, take your loved one on a walk (you have 265 acres to choose from!) and admire the many different sculptures that grace the landscape. A particularly unique feature of the park is the 10,000 square foot Ancient Sculpture Museum that displays Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Etruscan sculpture. Pyramid Hill's ultimate goal is to be the only art park in the world to represent the complete history of sculpture of mankind, and it's well on its way. Scout out the grounds in advance to find a sculpture that represents your relationship with your bride-to-be. When you come back with her by your side, present her with a diamond cluster ring and share why you chose this sculpture as your romantic backdrop.     

2. Holiday Auto Theatre 

What could be more romantic than watching a drive-in movie with your sweetheart? Drive-in theaters are hard to come by nowadays, which will make the experience at the Holiday Auto Theatre all the more exciting. Choose a romantic film or a lighthearted comedy, something that you know she'll enjoy. Pay a $5.00 fee to bring in your own food, or stop by the Refreshment Center and buy some popcorn and her favorite kind of candy. Cuddle up during the movie, and as the credits roll, surprise her by popping the question. When you tell the story of your engagement later, you'll receive a lot of compliments for your creative proposal idea!

3. Hanover Winery 

An unexpected find in Hamilton is Hanover Winery, which produces more than 20 wines on site and holds wine tastings and community events on their beautiful grounds. Choose an event -- such as an outdoor concert -- from the schedule on the winery's website. Bring a blanket and picnic, and pick up a bottle of wine in the tasting room. As the sun sets, present your lady with a diamond cluster ring that will sparkle with the fading rays of light.

4. Flub's Dari-Ette 

If your loved one is a kid at heart, consider this creative proposal idea: asking for her hand in marriage at this old-style ice cream shop. Flub's Dari-Ette has been serving up frozen treats for more than 40 years, including soft-serve cones, slushies, and cyclones (with delicious names like "Mike's Chocolaty Marshmallow"). Imagine her surprise when she reaches for her order and turns around to find you on one knee!

5. Hamilton Oktoberfest 

The Oktoberfest celebration in Hamilton is more than 45 years old. It's held by the Liberty Home Association, a German club that brings authenticity to the annual event. Enjoy the freshly made bratwurst, sauerkraut, and other German foods (make sure to bring some breath mints!) and sample the liberally flowing beer. Once you surprise your lady with a diamond cluster ring, you can celebrate by sharing your news with the multi-generational partygoers and dancing to live music. Prost!

Pick out a special engagement ring to add the perfect touch to your creative proposal idea, or save by selecting a trio ring set. 

This post is part of the My Trio Rings Precious Places series, which uses Mashable's Top 10 Cities for Getting Engaged list for inspiration.

Ready to propose? Los Angeles offers a great many romantic settings, and you're sure to find one that suits the personality of your bride-to-be. Whether she's a nature lover, a true romantic, or a gal who loves a good show, you'll find a spot that she'll remember for the rest of her life.

Where to Propose in Los Angeles

1. In a picturesque garden

With 134,000 square feet to choose from at the Central Garden at the Getty Center, you're sure to find a spot for your proposal. The description from the garden website says it all: 

The walkway traverses a stream that winds through a variety of plants and gradually descends to a plaza where bougainvillea arbors provide scale and a sense of intimacy. Continuing through the plaza, the stream cascades over a stone waterfall or "chadar," into a pool with a floating maze of azaleas. Specialty gardens encircle the pool. All of the foliage and materials of the garden have been selected to accentuate the interplay of light, color, and reflection.

The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is full of quaint proposal spots. The Queen Anne Cottage is set on the edge of a lake and is surrounded by magical-looking Blue Gum Trees. Consider presenting her with a diamond cluster ring in front of Mayberg Waterfall, a relaxing destination surrounded by tropical plants.

2. At a romantic restaurant

Il Cielo Restaurant in Beverly Hills is known as one of the most romantic restaurants in L.A. and often makes "Best Places to Propose" lists. Sit on the garden patio, which glows with tiny white lights. Enjoy decadent Italian food before presenting your sweetheart with a diamond cluster ring after the meal.

Geoffrey's Malibu is a favorite for couples who love an ocean view. Request a table by the rail and breathe in the sea breeze as you dine on fresh seafood and New American cuisine. After dessert and wine, take a walk on the beach below and take a knee on the sand as you pop the question.

3. At a show or theme park

Hollywood is, of course, world famous for its entertainment industry, and nearby Anaheim is well known for its theme parks. When you're ready to propose to a woman who loves arts and entertainment, you have your pick of venues. 

The improv comedy troupe at M.I.'s Westside Comedy Theatre in Santa Monica will actually work your proposal into a sketch if you email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If your lady loves theme parks, think about proposing at Disneyland, "The Happiest Place on Earth." The Sleeping Beauty Castle makes for a beautiful backdrop, and the fireworks show will make her diamond cluster ring sparkle.

If you're ready to propose, choose from our wide selection of high-quality, affordable diamond engagement rings.

This post is part of the "My Trio Rings Precious Places" series.

If you're looking for proposal ideas, take a look at the list recently released by Mashable: the Top 10 Cities for Getting Engaged, according to Facebook. Today we begin a series of posts that profile each city and highlight the best places to get down on one knee and present your love with a beautiful diamond cluster ring. 

Where to Propose in Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia, blends big-city culture with relaxed Southern charm. Here are three types of Atlanta proposal ideas for you to consider:

1. An elegant restaurant

During dinner, excuse yourself and secretly slip the diamond cluster ring to your waiter, with a request to bring it out with dessert or champagne. If there's a live band, approach during a break and request that the band play a song that means something to you and your sweetie. Here are a couple of the most romantic restaurants in Atlanta:

Bacchanalia is consistently rated as one of the Top 10 restaurants in Atlanta and has been number one in the Zagat guide since 1996. It's also often mentioned as one of the best places to propose. Relax into the cushy banquettes and enjoy the classy ambience, the friendly waitstaff, and the creative menu (with the chef sending out several small bites called "gifts" throughout the meal).

Set atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza, the Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar rises 73 stories above the city and rotates, offering breathtaking 360-degree views. The top floor revolves completely every half hour, the bottom floor every hour. 

2. A peaceful park

Take a walk hand-in-hand through the 30-acre Atlanta Botanical Garden and admire the beauty of the rare plants and flowers. You'll take your lady's breath away when you present a diamond cluster ring against such a gorgeous natural backdrop. The 10,000 square foot Fuqua Orchid Center is especially romantic. 

Plan a picnic at Centennial Olympic Park and surprise her with strawberries, champagne, and a sweet proposal. Or, if she's the adventurous type, playfully grab her hand and run through the Fountain of Rings. It's the largest interactive foundation in the world and is tiled in the shape of Olympic rings. Once you two are lightly soaked and laughing, get down on one knee in the middle of one of the rings and ask for her hand.

3. A center of culture 

If your bride-to-be loves to see a show, romance her at the theatre or the symphony. Propose at dinner before the show, or during an evening walk afterward, while you're both enraptured by the magic of the stage.

The Fox Theatre is a beloved historical landmark and the perfect place to take in dinner and a show. Dress up for the special occasion, and take in the gorgeous grandeur of the theatre.

The Grammy-award winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs at several venues in town, including the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park. With 200 concerts per year to choose from, you're sure to find one that she'll fancy.

Before you propose in Atlanta, find a diamond cluster ring that she'll love. 

Photo credit: j3ku. 

Many couples today are uncertain about whether they should get married and at what point in their relationship it is the appropriate time to do so. There are a lot of practical reasons why couples choose to get married: tax benefits, legal protection for children, expectations of family members and friends, sharing health insurance benefits. But regardless of all of the practical considerations that might encourage some to rush into marriage (or the undeniable excitement of wedding gowns, diamond cluster rings, and honeymoons, the best time to get married is when you both feel ready to commit to spending your lives together – not just when you are ready to plan a budget wedding or when other people are ready to see you walk down the aisle.

How will you know when you are ready? Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. You want to spend your lives together, regardless of whether your budget wedding plan involves a simple trip to the courthouse or an extravagant trip to the Mexican Riviera.

2. You are prepared to stay together through thick and thin, regardless of future employment, future health, future lifestyle, or future residence. This is the person you are excited to share your life with, through all the ups and downs.

3. You share important values and are able to compromise and come to consensus on important issues as well as seemingly trivial disagreements. You have discussed everything from religion and children to household chores and spending styles, and you know you are compatible. Remember, no couple has a perfect relationship or a completely smooth road ahead in their lives. The important thing is that you are prepared to support each other and work together in good times and in bad. If you think you are ready for wedding bells to be in your future, keep in mind that the time for choosing diamond cluster rings for a Christmas proposal is drawing near. But if the time isn't quite right, then wait until you both are ready before you jump into planning the budget wedding of your dreams. How did you know you were ready to get married? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Photo Credit: Flickr (mikebaird)

Are you ready to propose? Believe it or not, guys, if a Christmas proposal is what you’ve got in mind, the time to start planning is now. This gives you time to determine whether an affordable trio wedding ring set is right for your budget wedding, learn about the 4 C’s, decide what style ring you prefer, and even learn how to protect and care for your affordable trio wedding ring set.

Really, it isn’t that complicated. It is as easy as deciding on your budget and browsing the My Trio Rings website to choose the rings that you think you and your fiancée will love the best.

You may be a low-key, push-the-ring-box-across-the-dinner-table kind of guy, or maybe you’re a more traditional down-on-one-knee type. If either of those are true, then you may not be looking for creative Christmas proposal ideas. But if you want a more creative Christmas proposal, then here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. When the snow starts falling, get outdoors and participate in a winter sport such as skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, or even just wintry sleigh riding. When you come inside from the cold to warm up with hot chocolate, pull off your girlfriend’s gloves and offer an affordable trio wedding ring set as a way to warm up her fingers.

2. Ask your girlfriend if she would like to open one special gift on Christmas Eve. Pile wrapped gifts under the tree for her to choose from. Leave each box empty except for one that contains the engagement ring. Get her to keep unwrapping boxes until she finds the package with the ring inside.

3. Put the pre-planned proposal ideas aside. Carry the ring around in your pocket as the holiday nears, and just wait for a perfect, memorable Christmas moment to pop the question to the woman of your dreams. Maybe it will be while Christmas shopping, while sipping holiday-flavored coffees, while wrapping gifts, while singing Christmas carols, or even while trying to dig a car out of a snow drift. Trust your intuition and surprise both of you with the perfect proposal!

What are your Christmas proposal ideas?