The globe-trotting James Bond always gets the girl and is never afraid to don a tuxedo. Women want him and men want to be him. Which makes Bond a great inspiration for someone planning a secret wedding proposal.
But last time I checked MI6 isn’t handing out PP7s and Double-O credentials to just anyone. If your secret agent capabilities are more Austin “Danger” Powers than 007, I’m here to offer tips on how to pull off a marriage proposal while traveling or while on a romantic vacation with your partner.
Advance Planning
If you’re piecing together an elaborately choreographed sequence for your queen, you’ll need more time than if you’re just popping the question during a barefoot stroll on the beach, or while stuntin’ on the streets of Vegas. Give yourself at least a couple weeks to get it all planned out if you’re going this route. The more extras in the shot the more planning you’ll need to do.
If you’re flying by the seat of your pants, a few nifty gadgets go a long way. In this case, Google Earth is your friend. You can visit places remotely that you’ve never been to before and can seek out the perfect spot to drop to one knee. Look for backup spots too. You never know when a place will be closed, if construction started the day before you arrived, or if nasty weather will get in the way.
Don’t Blow It
Everyone’s approach to getting a ring through airport security without your partner seeing it is different. The good news is, from a TSA screener’s perspective they likely see rings and jewelry of all kinds come through the machines all the time. Inside the jeweler’s ring box stuffed inside an interior pocket of your carry-on shouldn’t raise any flags, and it ought to pass through with no issues. As long as you have no other questionable items in your bag, you should be fine. Don’t give TSA a reason to be suspicious. No sharps, no liquids, no drugs. Be smart. Notice I didn’t say “Maxwell Smart“.
If it were me, I’d consider taking the ring out of the box, putting it in a pants pocket, and slipping it into the security screener’s bowl with a pocketful of change and car keys. Maybe even attach it to a keyring. And then slide the whole lot right back into my pocket as if nothing ever happened. But whatever your routine is at the airport, stick to it. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t normally do.
If you’re worried about it being spotted by your partner, try to put some space in between you and your spouse by “accidentally” letting another traveler get in between you, or by being the first one to jump at an opening in another line while your partner gets left in your original position.
Be ready for some quick thinking. Nothing too elaborate or weird. Just be ready to read the situation so you can take advantage of the stress that usually comes with everyone just trying to get through the security without any problems.
Chatting up another nearby traveler about a shared sports team, or a souvenir shirt they might be wearing could give you a little bit of cover. It could put your partner’s attention on the conversation rather than the ring you’re trying to hide. This could work especially well if there was just an exciting game and your partner gets animated and excited about it too. Conversely, if the topic is super boring to your partner, they might tune you out completely as they focus on getting themselves through and could not even be paying attention at all to your movements as everyone slogs through security.
On 1. Ready? ONE, GO!
Unlike in the movies, where a good story needs several chapters of conflict and rising action before the climax and resolution, it’s ok to have your big scene right at the beginning of your trip. Pop the question with the four special words on one of the first days of the vacation and then you’ll have the rest of the trip to enjoy as a newly engaged couple. Bonus: you won’t have to hold the secret for as long.
I know a guy who made the proposal in the driveway at his house right before the couple left for the airport! This way he was able to have more control and not have to keep it a secret for half the trip. No hiding it from her through security, or while unpacking together. And no luggage sharing luggage issues whatsoever. He even had her parents on hand for a quick sendoff as the couple loaded up their bags. Her parents usually drove them to the airport anyway, so nothing tipped her off. The driveway might not be the most cinematic or romantic spot, but it worked for them.
Using Accomplices
Once you’re on the ground and the moment is drawing nearer, you may need some help in executing the proposal. If your plan includes a restaurant, retail shop, or other sort of business, you should enlist the help of a small business rather than a large entity. This may help avoid mistakes, miscues and bloopers. Using a small business will aid in secretly dealing with one or two dedicated people who can be trusted to keep your secret, rather than a revolving cast of who knows how many front-line employees, service agents, and hosts.
Work as directly as possible with the person or people who are in on your secret plan. Don’t rely on an agent stuck in the corporate headquarters adding a note to your file or marking your account with a cryptic message. Make a connection with the right person(s) and make sure they understand the assignment. These friendly professionals are there to help you solve problems as they come at you.
Collect The Evidence
If you want to share the details of your surprise destination proposal with your friends and family later on, you’ll no doubt want to capture it all on camera. Don’t get cavalier by hiring an amateur. This mission calls for a professional.
Hire one even if you want the proposal to be intimate and in the moment. A good photographer knows how to blend into the surroundings, has a long-range lens to be able to remain unspotted at “go time” and will capture your emotions as they unfold. On a vacation, in touristy spots and in remote outdoorsy/nature spots too, it’s not unusual to see regular people strolling around with cameras. Having one won’t ruin the surprise.
Hire one ahead of time and you’ll even be able to bounce ideas off them and get some help setting it up. Having at least one person on your team can be a big help especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Make this person a camera person and you’ll be golden.
We’re Engaged, Recently Engaged
Following a successful mission, and after your partner says “Yes”, it’s time to start thinking about when and where to get married. Bond never faced this predicament, but I’m willing to go all-in on betting that if he did, he’d at least have considered a micro wedding in Las Vegas coordinated by Electric Sugar Elopements.
My team of local experts and I help couples get married their way. Bond was never one to be a stickler for the rules, and I’m here to tell you breaking traditions is what we’re all about. Get in touch today.
