10 Fall Proposal Ideas That Are Anything But Basic

Fall is one of our favorite seasons for proposals. It’s cooler, it’s beautiful pretty much everywhere and there are a lot of fun things you can plan around the season. Of course, there are pumpkins and Halloween. But there is a lot more to fall to inspire a creative proposal, so here are 10 other ideas to consider.

1. Take a Foliage Trip

If you live somewhere with beautiful fall colors, you probably already have a favorite place to see them. If you don’t, make a weekend out of it. Book a hotel, go for a drive, take a hike or plan a picnic. Just check the foliage forecast before you book as peak foliage season changes dependieng on where you are.

2. Go on a Hot Chocolate or Cider Crawl

Instead of meeting for one drink, pick three or four places and taste their hot chocolate or hot cider. You can even rate them as you go and pick a winner. Make the last stop somewhere special and propose there, or finish the tasting at home and have the ring waiting. And please don’t hide the ring in a hot drink, it's gross and dangerous.

3. Come to New York in Late November

If you’ve always wanted to propose in New York during the holidays but don’t particularly want the December crowds, come a little earlier. By the second half of November, the holiday windows and decorations are going up and the city already feels festive. You can walk Fifth Avenue, have dinner somewhere fabulous and propose along the way. Need help planning? contact our friends at Proposals 007.

4. Spend a Fall Weekend in Québec City

Québec City is beautiful in the fall, early October when the foliage is at its best and later when snowfalls makes everything magical. Stay in Old Québec, walk around, eat very well and find your proposal spot as you explore.

5. Have a Fondue Date

Go out for fondue or do it at home. Get good cheese, bread, wine and chocolate for dessert. If you’re staying home, set the table properly and make it feel like a date instead of Tuesday night dinner. Obviously do not put the ring in the cheese. We are trying to get engaged, not visit the emergency room.

6. Plan a Cozy Proposal at Home

If your partner is not into public proposals, stay home. But make an effort. Order or cook their favorite dinner, get the fireplace going if you have one, bring out the blankets and pick a movie that has some meaning for the two of you. Maybe the first movie you saw together or one you’ve watched 20 times.

7. Surprise Them at Work

This can be incredibly fun or a complete disaster, so you need to know your partner. If they love their job and their coworkers, talk to their boss and get them involved. Maybe there’s an office party, a work event or even a fake meeting that can become part of the surprise. Do not show up unannounced. We cannot stress this enough.

8. A Sense and Sensibility Themed Proposal

A new Sense and Sensibility movie is coming to theaters in October, so this is the moment to embrace your inner Jane Austen. Go for afternoon tea or dinner, dress up a little more than usual and see the movie together. Then add something we don’t do nearly enough anymore: write a love letter. By hand. Yes, Gen Z, with an actual pen.

9. Night at a Museum

Check the museums or art galleries around you for late-night openings and fall events. A lot of museums have evening hours, cocktails, music and special programming that make them feel completely different at night. If you’re planning to propose inside, contact the location first, and make sure you follow their rules.

10. Rig a Game

Pick a game where you stick a card on your forehead and have to guess what’s written on it, but make your own cards. They should all be about your relationship. Where you met. Your first trip. Your first kiss. An inside joke. The restaurant you always go to. Something embarrassing they did that you have absolutely refused to let die. And use one of the cards to propose.