For some strange reason I have been coming across a few wedding proposal video clips on social media the past week or so.
Recently there was one about a flash mob at the Singapore Flyer, which was actually a wedding proposal in disguise.
(It’s 12 minutes worth of epic drama, I couldn’t bring myself to watch the entire thing.)
Just today I came across another one (here) – much more subdued, but equally touching nonetheless.
I realised it’s actually pointless to use the word “touching” or “sweet” to describe wedding proposal videos, because honestly speaking, which proposal video isn’t right?
The only proposal video I’ve ever come across that wasn’t touching or sweet was the one (here) where the woman did not accept the proposal.
That one was really sad.
Poor guy.
Anyway, I’ve given this some thought, and I’ve come to realise a few things.
Firstly, successful wedding proposal videos will always be enjoyable to watch, because the ending is always happy.
It’s one thing that we can never get enough of.
No matter whether it was tastefully done or cheesily done, whether the idea was a good one or a ho-hum one, as long as she said “yes” or nodded her head in the end, then the ends justify the means.
There will always be the same two protagonists, and they will always play the same roles, and there will always be the same things in the video to look out for.
The plot points are always exactly the same:
The girl will be unsuspecting.
The guy will be nervous as he prepares his carefully planned-out stunt.
There will be the “Huh?” phase for the girl whereby some kind of strange stunt is pulled on her and she won’t know what’s going on for that brief moment.
She will finally hit “realization” point and figure out what is going on (and what is coming up).
She will play along with the whole song-and-dance.
When the jig is over, the guy will summon up enough gall to start his monologue about a) how long he’s known her, b) how much she means to him, and c) how he can’t bear to live without her.
The guy will go down on one knee (required), and pull out the ring box that is handily tucked in one of his easily-reachable pockets, and while flashing the ring, ask her if she would marry him?
The girl will then cover her mouth with one of her hands, pull the “I’ve never been more surprised in my entire life” look, pretend to give his proposal some serious thought, and while dabbing the tears from her eyes, accept his ring and finally say “YES”.
He gets up from one knee, they embrace, and the video’s background music suddenly rises to a loud crescendo.
Cue applause and cheering from friends all around.
It used to be that you needed to pull off an impressive, creative, memorable wedding ceremony with the snazzy wedding video and all that.
But is this yet another new “must have” item nowadays?
Apart from the wedding video, do we also need to have the snazzy proposal video as well nowadays?
Cos some of these proposal videos I’ve seen are really very professionally done, and must not have been easy or cheap to produce.
It’s literally like a short film.
Whatever happened to those simple good ol’ fashioned proposals over, say, dinner for two at Swensen’s whereby the guy just casually asks “Shall we apply for a HDB together?” or something like that?
Or that stroll in the park late at night when the guy suddenly whips out the ring and just outright asks her?
Must everything be professionally filmed and turned into a viral video nowadays?
I dunno if I’m right, but it seems like weddings, and now proposals, are turning into a game of “see who can come up with the most creative video”.
We Singaporeans are competitive like that.
If ever I had to propose, I don’t yet know how I would do it, but I would reckon I wouldn’t want it to be filmed, nor would I want to do it in front of all of our friends.
That would just be plain awkward.
Hey, if I could get away with it, I wouldn’t even want to be the one doing the proposing. =)
maybe they did the video so as a form of remembrance for their future generations, when they get older and marriage starts to get trying.. and then they watch their wedding/proposal video and rem why they got married in the first place..
something liddat i reckon…
Oh dear, that’s is so embarrasingly sad…
Yes, I totally agree with you about a proposal being private and between 2 people only. Which is what I had ;)
All the best for your one…IF you ever! ;p
I agree with you – as marriage is a lifetime commitment between the two persons; not just in that few minutes or more in its proposal. Therefore, no need to make it into a short film, can be a bit weird and awkward actually. I feel that certain memories should just share among the two of them.
Though on the other hand, I can also understand why people would like to video these moments down; like what tsl had shared of their intentions of doing so, which is indeed meaningful and quite sweet about it. I think it is up to the individuals; as long as you are happy then that’s fine! =)
By the way, in your article:
“Whatever happened to those simple good ol’ fashioned proposals over, say, dinner for two at Swensen’s whereby the guy just casually asks “Shall we apply for a HDB together?” or something like that?”
Oh dear, me! Especially this part, – “Shall we apply for a HDB together?” is so…..ooo typical Singaporean man’s way of asking a woman to marry him. So..oooo Uncreative and So So So Unromantic!
And please take note of the sentence before that, “whereby the guy just casually asks” – Casually Asks?! Hello! What’s that? So insincere!!!
Aiyoh! So Sad.
Oops, Sorry guys! But it’s true! Isn’t it?!
Hey, ladies! Never agree if a man proposes to you like that, ok? =)
And, Jer, this part, “Hey, if I could get away with it, I wouldn’t even want to be the one doing the proposing. =)” If you are not the one to do the proposal to your wife-to-be (if successful) then do you mean you expect her as a lady to do so?!
Haha….
That publicly rejected proposal was one of the most awkward and sad things I have ever seen caught on film. :\
Interesting thoughts on wedding proposals!
And quite frankly, I agree with ST’s comments on your write up :D
Probably, that’s the standard Singaporean style of proposal which unfortunately is being made the norm by predecessors? of course, there is the minority who does it with a different twist! Hope that the SNAG may do something to change the trend… ha!
Personally, wedding proposal is a precious moment of our lifetime, for one to propose and be proposed to. In the context of “deliberate exposure” for some attention, I personally prefer to keep it private, and if all turns out well, there is no harm in remaking the proposal on the wedding day with a flash video or through the host of the night.
But well, that’s probably the new fad for the Gen Y-ers?
On a different note, men are born to be hunters, aren’t they? If they are “fed” directly, as in the case of
“Hey, if I could get away with it, I wouldn’t even want to be the one doing the proposing. =)”
That sounds like a twist of role, and I am not sure if that will leave any repercussion on life after marriage? ha…
Nonetheless, I chanced upon this article recently (see link below), which gives some insights of innovative proposals. The cookie and menu ideas were really interesting and they were of course not possible without the help of supporting cast to complete the mission. On the whole, a wedding proposal is unique to each couple and though some level of creativity is appreciated, the most important element/essence is truly the sincerity and thoughts put into the action of accomplishing the once in a life time mission.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/fashion/weddings/interesting-marriage-proposals-of-2011.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1324780098-iIuhkReS8GLy7oH3JSJuvQ
Merry Christmas and best wishes for those planning for a proposal soon!
Make it special with your heart :D
Chill, ladies. I was just kidding around with the “if I could get away with it, I wouldn’t even want to be the one doing the proposing” comment. =)
I do believe that it would be conventional for the guy to do the proposing. As to how it is done, I think there are a million ways to go about it, and there is probably no right or wrong answer.
But yeah, I definitely agree that a unique and creative proposal would be a special memory which the both of them can keep for the rest of their lives. After all, you only get to propose once right?
well.. if kenna rejected.. u’d get to propose again. LOL
Give me a five!!! kkat! ;) Thanks for sharing the link!
Returning “five” to you – ST :D
My pleasure to share interesting related articles!
Jeremy, thanks for clarifying!
Like your sharing very much, kkat!
Especially this line, “Make it special with your heart :D”. Yes! It’s a sincere heart that matters the most! Isn’t it? =)
I have a video clip to share to all of you too, on how a lady proposed to a man and they got married; some sort like a fairy tale – “happy-ever-after” ending. (Don’t beat me after watching, okay? You will soon find out!) =p
I find her dialogue meaningful and touching.
Enjoy!
Thanks to Jeremy for writing this interesting article for us all to discuss. ;)
Enjoyed reading to everyone’s view!
ST – Thank you for sharing the video link! Is so sweet! haa…
Well, in our new age/era, maybe more women might take on the role of proposing! But I wonder if this is actually an ego booster for men to be proposed to or not? :D
The words were touching and very true to her heart –
“I guarantee there will be tough times, i guarantee one of us may/will ask out, but I also guarantee that if I don’t ask you to be mine, I will regret it for the rest of my life, because I know in my heart, you are the one for me.”
In whatever ways or means of proposal, words does matter, though it was a plain simple fashioned proposal with a “pair of old shoes”, it will never be forgotten because is special and sincere!
Here’s another interesting link –
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/fashion/weddings/proposal-planners-if-youre-ready-to-pop-the-question.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1325155826-Ig3Z6d4Trqsyw0qU7DUWOw
I wonder if this business will ever pick up in Singapore? :D
Probably not, since Singaporeans are not even getting hitched fast enough!
Kkat: That is an interesting link. Thanks for sharing. You seem to know all the interesting articles on marriage/proposals, haha!
I like the article on “proposal planners”. Very interesting! I think I might want to do a post on it soon.
[...] left a comment a few posts earlier (here) and shared this interesting clip from “Runaway Bride”, which showed a rare occurrence [...]
Hi, Kkat, Bingo! ;) You really had hit the core of my heart of what I really wanted to share. Yes! It is this part of dialogue which I am very touched and can really feel her sincerity from her heart when she said that to the one she realised she wants to spend the rest of her life with. I find that those words are very meaningful and true which hold certain reality in them.
Thanks for typing this part of the dialogue out which I planned to do so today (as I wanted to record it in my journal with a bit of my thoughts on it), really appreciate it. =) Well, I think we do think quite alike. It’s nice to have known you through Jeremy’s blog. =) Thanks to the owner, Jeremy too, in a way. Haha! =p
Interesting article you had shared regarding the proposal planners, thanks! I think this business should be workable in Singapore as there are still many couples getting married and wanted to make it a Special one; though personally I feel that just make it simple will do (don’t need to spend $ for people to help you to propose) and don’t have to be too high profile. =p
You are both very welcomed! Glad that the articles are worth some food for thoughts to this blog post :D I look forward to future write ups soon if new inspirations come along! Thanks to all your sharing and NY times too!
NY times wrote the 2 articles around the Christmas season where probably most proposals are likely to peak during this time of the year.
So, I am just going with the flow :D
Come to think of it, it might just work out as a business in Singapore with a niche market! Afterall, the market is flooded with dating agencies and wedding planners, why not a proposal planner?! If any of you are keen to explore the start up, please contact me! haa.. Let’s shake up a new trend for proposals away from the HDBs as the bait :P
ST – Yes, I think we do have some similarities in thinking :D Happy to know you here too! Do you keep a blog like Jeremy too?? Please share your link :D
[...] shared a link in a recent comment (here), and the article is entitled “Proposal Planners: If You’re Ready to Pop the [...]
Hi, Kkat, sorry for late reply.
I do not have a blog. Do you have one? Can share? =)
Hi ST – neither do I have. Just a blog reader more than a blogger myself :D