Since when did the act of proposing get to be as big of a production as the wedding? Welcome to the influence of social media. Before now the biggest public proposals were at sporting events on the big screen. But now, with YouTube and flash mobs, you can now take 15 minutes proposing via a musical in front of hundreds of people and hope she says yes. Then you can post in on the internet wondering if you can get more hits then the last proposal video uploaded.

Hey men, did you hear? They now have proposal planners! Just in case you don’t really know the woman you want to marry, you can drop $259+, answer some questions and be given ideas on what to do. So not only do you have to plan and pay for a wedding after she say yes (and don’t forget the engagement ring), you now need to spend money on the hope that an elaborate plan makes her say yes.

Frankly, I feel like it is just an attempt to “keep up with the Jones’s”. It is like when women try one-up their girlfriends in the size of their new rock. But now you can brag and show them the video of “how much your man loves you” (blech)

On the opposite side of the spectrum, there is this video. Men – here is an example of what NOT to do. While it seems really funny, like a college prank, this is NOT the way to do it. *note, I heard it was much worse nor did I know it was for a radio contest

I don’t know about you, but unless you are a person that always wants to be the center of attention, I think something more intimate would be preferred. Why start off your marriage as a side-show act instead of real and genuine words from your heart to another. One of my favorite proposals in the movies is from Step Mom.

If I ever get proposed to, I would prefer it to be just the two of us (with the possibility of having friends and family nearby to share in the celebration). He may have asked my parents but definitely should have talked with my brother about the ring. It doesn’t need to be video taped or captured digitally. This is the initial step, the beginning of our marriage – no need to be a huge production.

My final thoughts on this whole “proposal planner” is that it could just set up a life time of high expectations. What do you do for your first year anniversary? Or first child? But I guess if you have money to burn (or are completely clueless), you can propose however you would like. Who am I to stop you? I just hope men out there aren’t pressured by their future fiancés to “put out” these over the top dramatic scenes just to impress others.