Ways to propose marriage at a restaurant

Make preparations ahead of time for a successful proposal.

Proposing in a restaurant is a traditional and romantic way to go about asking someone to marry you. But it can also go horribly wrong. Cake-filled rings, jewelry cleaner in the champagne and public denials can make proposing at a restaurant an unpleasant experience. Cover all the bases in advance by doing the proper preparatory work to make sure that your restaurant proposal goes as smoothly and as favorably as possible.

Plan Ahead
Before you make any firm preparations about proposing at a restaurant, call the restaurant and ask what types of amenities they offer in order to propose. Most restaurants encourage and enjoy helping to plan a proposal because it almost surely means you'll come back over and over again as a couple. Some restaurants have may have special plates where the ring can be hidden, along with suggestions for the most private tables and ideas about how to pop the question. You may also need to arrange for a setup before you arrive at the restaurant, so ask that they be prepared.

Special for the Night
Call the restaurant and ask if they print custom menus or print new menus daily. If so, ask that one special menu be made that lists the various specials of the night, along with your declaration of love and proposal of marriage. While she scans through the various items to choose what she'd like, she'll discover the proposal on her own. If the restaurant where you are planning to propose doesn't print custom menus, ask if you can make your own and drop it by earlier in the day, so that it's given to your soon-to-be betrothed when she enters the restaurant.

Decorated Plate
A variety of pottery painting stores and studios exist, where you can paint your own ceramics and have them glazed to look professionally done. Head to the pottery studio and paint a plate that says "Will you marry me" directly in the center. Bring the plate by the restaurant and give it to a waiter before you pick up your partner. Instruct the waitstaff to serve the dinner on your painted plate, over the words, suggests Chow.com. As your partner eats the meal, the message of marriage will slowly appear, finally appearing when all of the food is gone.

Bill Plate
Most restaurants bring the bill in a small leather envelope or plate. Slip the engagement ring to your waiter and ask that it's brought out with the bill. When the bill arrives, casually suggest that your partner pay the bill, even if she doesn't usually. She may look surprised, but the discovery of the ring will make it all worthwhile.