Ok, we all heard that Valentine’s Day proposals might be tricky. On the one hand it could be very romantic and sweet, on the other hand it might be too obvious and little cliche. Yes, all girls are expecting a ring on the Valentine’s day, so if you still want to do it at least make it really special and extraordinary. The most important thing is to take her off guard, to propose when she least expect it or doesn’t expect at all. So, how can we do that? Here are our top 5 marriage proposal ideas for Valentine’s Day in NYC.
1 – She expects a date, so make a perfect date
Get a table at that amazing restaurant that she was talking about for months. Take her to the movie or a music show after and before taking her home, propose. The point here is that she will enjoy the date and even if she expects a ring, she will forget about it by the end of the day. And you will definitely take her off guard by proposing by her door.
It goes without saying that all reservations should be made in advance as its a very busy day and you don’t want to be scrambling last minute. Same goes with the proposal planner and venues, if you know you want to make that grand proposal on Valentine’s Day in NYC, you need to make all the arrangements months in advance.
Want to make it more romantic? Hire a personal chef and make a restaurant right at your place. Decorate the room with flowers and candles and enjoy the meal. It will definitely be a huge surprise for her and more intimate atmosphere for both of you. Our room makeover package and secret proposal photographer will be perfect combo for this.
2 – Avoid the tourist traps
We all know that Valentine’s Day is one of the best days for the local businesses to make profit. Don’t get to that trap. You know that that horse carriage ride doesn’t cost $700 per ride, and that bar doesn’t charge $35 for the frozen heart mix drink. There are plenty of places to go and lots of things to do outside those common clichés.
We would recommend going with the private venue as there will be lots of people everywhere and most of the places will be overpriced. Pick a private rooftop or an indoor penthouse and decorate it the way you want it. You can invite all her close friends and family and share the moment with them. Make it personal and memorable. Dont forget to hire a secret photographer and videographer to capture that big surprise.
The biggest tourist trap is believing that love has to be loud and public. But in reality, what she really wants is a private, intimate moment shared with close people —especially on a busy day like Valentine’s Day.
3 – Surprise her
The best way to surprise your significant one is to propose when she least expects it. Plan a date in advance, give her the restaurant address and make it look like nothing else is going on. Once you arrived to the restaurant, the table will be ready and everything will looks like a normal restaurant date, until one by one, people at nearby tables stand up and start singing. In a minute, the entire restaurant is singing a serenade and you propose. Her surprise is guaranteed. Our skilled photographer will be there to capture that grand surprise.
Or you can tell her that you hired a photographer to take a pictures of you two, which is a perfect gift on Valentine’s Day.
Get to the park or walk around the city with your photographer, pose, kiss and have fun. She might suspect that you want to propose, so hold on till the end. At the last frame you pop the question. It will take her by surprise, again because she wouldn’t suspect it coming.
4 – Make it big
If you still want to do it on Valentine’s day and want to avoid all the romantic clichés, we would say do something extraordinary! Make it big and spectacular. Propose on the Times Square Big Screens. No one ever expects to see a love declaration on a big screen in Times Square, she will be shocked to see it. Just keep in mind, that the spots are going fast so you need to book it in advance.
Want something less public, but still grand and spectacular? Rent a private rooftop with the Empire State Building view, add sparkles, huge Marry Me letters, a photographer and a drone video. Big surprise guaranteed!
5 – Make it digital
Mercer Labs digital screen proposal is a perfect way to surprise your partner on Valentine’s Day. Just imagine walking around the museum exploring the art as one of the screens changes to a personal message and you proposes. She’ll never see it coming.
Another digital proposal option would be a personal message on the Times Square Billboard. We can arrange a screen, that would show your personal message every hour for 1 minute during the day. Its a fun way to propose in New York.
Proposing on Valentine’s Day can be tricky, but with the right planning team it can be the most unforgettable marriage proposal experience in New York.
Here are the most common questions couples ask when planning a Valentine’s Day proposal:
1. Is Valentine’s Day a good day to propose?
Yes, it is a good day for a romantic proposal. Want to avoid the crowds, propose a day before or after the Valentine’s day.
2. Should I propose in public or private on Valentine’s Day?
Many people assume a big public proposal is the dream—but most partners prefer a private, intimate moment. So plan a private proposal.
3. How far in advance should I plan a Valentine’s Day proposal?
As early as possible. Popular venues, rooftops, restaurants, and photographers book out weeks (sometimes months) in advance for February 14.
4. Do I need reservations even if I’m not proposing at a restaurant?
Yes. Restaurants, rooftops, hotels, and experiences fill up fast on Valentine’s Day. Last-minute planning usually limits your options and would costs twice more.
5. What are the best proposal ideas for Valentine’s Day in NYC?
Private rooftops, styled room makeovers, unique spaces like immersive art rooms, and intimate setups with skyline views are top choices.
6. How do I keep the proposal a surprise?
Make it look like a normal date. Give her a restaurant address or casual plan so nothing feels “big” is coming. The more normal it looks, the bigger the surprise.
7. Is Valentine’s Day too cliché to propose?
It can feel cliché if it’s generic. It doesn’t feel cliché if the setup is personal, thoughtful, and tailored to her personality.
8. What time of day is best to propose on Valentine’s Day?
Morning or late-night proposals can feel more private and less crowded.
9. Should I hire a photographer for the proposal?
Absolutely!
10. What if the weather is bad?
Always have a backup plan. Indoor options (private rooms, hotel setups, immersive spaces) are perfect safety nets for February weather.
