In The News...
Just in time for 'Proposal Season,' Korbel Champagne Cellars and Blue Nile
Offer Tips for Creatively Avoiding - and Recovering from - Potential Marriage
Proposal Blunders
GUERNEVILLE, Sonoma County, Calif., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to seeking advice on coordinating the perfect marriage proposal, it's common to find that "planning ahead" is the number one tip. However, according to the proposal experts at Korbel Champagne Cellars, even the most detailed blueprint remains subject to the trials of Mother Nature, Murphy's Law, fate and even traffic jams. With Proposal Season kicking off Oct. 1 - as the majority of marriage proposals occur during the last three months of the year - it's officially time for those about to pop the question to listen up and heed this important advice: devise a plan for a creative, heartfelt and romantic proposal . . . but don't forget a back-up plan.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030930/CGTU002 )
Experts Advise to Expect the Unexpected Take the case of Chicagoan Barry Tarter, who arranged to pop the question onstage one night at a local jazz club, confirming his proposal plan beforehand with the headlining performer. The scheme moved forward as planned until Tarter missed his cue.
"We hadn't agreed on exactly what the singer would say to get me to the microphone, and I was so nervous that even when she said 'Is my friend Barry in the house tonight?' that I didn't respond."
As the night wore on and his girlfriend Dina became more restless in the crowded club, Tarter almost needed his own ambulance when the singer who had arranged his "Marry Me?" moment suffered an unexpected asthma attack onstage and was picked up by the paramedics.
"Thankfully I snuck away and found another musician to help me pull it off later that night, but my idea would have been spoiled if he hadn't cooperated."
After hearing hundreds of similar proposal stories and helping thousands of couples celebrate their engagements, Korbel and leading online jewelry retailer Blue Nile have partnered to provide tips on avoiding nine other top proposal "Marry Me?" mishaps.
Public Display of Affection: Having a crowd witness your proposal, whether it takes place at a sports arena or family dinner, can be overwhelming for your intended if her idea of a dream proposal calls for privacy. Proposal expert Jason R. Rich, author of "Will You Marry Me? Popping the Question with Romance and Style," advises, "make sure your bride-to-be isn't too bashful - or won't be too shocked - to accept a proposal in front of others."
Stage Fright: Since she'd never expect it of you, you decide to surprise your fun-loving girlfriend by performing a song at her favorite piano bar - in front of a packed house. Can you imagine her response when you get onstage so nervous that you can't even remember her name, let alone what you wanted to ask her? Don't push your luck if you're not a natural in front of crowds. Make sure the club can set aside a VIP table and arrange a private proposal - just in case.
One-Upped: One Blue Nile customer planned to propose at the city's top restaurant on Valentine's Day, but got upstaged twice as two other guys just tables away popped the question to their girlfriends before him. Romantic spots - such as intimate restaurants or landmarks - are perfect for memorable proposals, but they are popular on holidays such as New Year's Eve or Valentine's Day. Avoid competing for proposal time by having a back-up plan (or date) in mind so your evening, and your proposal, aren't upstaged. (Luckily for the would-be Romeo, he and his girlfriend had a secret place that held special meaning for them, so he whisked her there after dinner to ask for her hand.)
Dessert Displays: Creatively presenting the ring in a chocolate box or on an ice cream sundae can make for a memorable dinner, but be forewarned that mixing diamonds and desserts is risky. This type of proposal requires very detailed instructions for the waitstaff so the dish does not get bussed away to the trash before you ask the question, or that your girlfriend doesn't swallow the surprise along with her dessert.
Slow Going: Many guys discover too late that the jewelry shop they plan to buy the ring from doesn't have the right one in stock, or that the diamond setting process could require four to 10 days. Allow time for research, budgeting, ring selection and delivery, and plan to have the ring in-hand at least three days before the big event.
Practice Makes Perfect: Proposals equal pressure, so it's common to accidentally slip up during the big speech. Expert Rich advises developing a list of ideas, sentiments and emotions that you'd like to convey as you pop the question. Practice a few times in advance so your moment is natural and the words flow confidently.
Keeping it Confidential: If you take the traditional path and ask your intended's father for permission, it's important to speak with him privately to ensure your surprise isn't shared with others. Relatives or friends could unintentionally leak the news or send signals to the future bride before you pop the question.
Weather Woes: From snow in springtime, to hurricanes in the islands, some of the most breathtaking proposals - such as on helicopter rides or ski slopes - go awry due to unpredictable weather. Scott Gottlieb didn't have a back-up plan in Lake Tahoe when a cloudy day ruined his hot air balloon ride proposal for his girlfriend Lauren. "I ended up asking her at the arcade, and had the man behind the ticket booth hand Lauren the ring when she went up to redeem her prize." Although it was unexpected and charming, "it wasn't the proposal story I wanted us to have." When weather is involved, always expect the unexpected.
Wrong Rock: According to the 2003 Korbel proposal survey, almost eight out of ten (77 percent) Americans feel the engagement ring is most important when making a proposal. To ensure that the ring on her hand makes her heart skip a beat, go undercover to research her size and preferred style (both in metals and cut) before shopping. Asking her friends for tips or sneaking one of her favorite rings to the jeweler will get you started. For a built-in guarantee, shop at Blue Nile ( http://www.bluenile.com ), as rings can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.
Leave the Planning to the Experts For help avoiding these mishaps altogether, enter your unique proposal idea in the second annual Korbel Perfect Proposal Contest at http://www.korbel.com . Korbel has tied the knot with Blue Nile to help men and women make their ultimate "Marry Me?" moment a reality. Judges will select three first prize winners based on creativity, originality and romantic theme, and Korbel will bring the three winning proposals to life just before Valentine's Day, 2004 complete with an exclusive round Blue Nile Signature Diamond Engagement Ring (created from among the top one percent of all diamonds in the world). One of these winners will also be selected to receive the grand prize of $10,000 for a honeymoon or reception.
Visit http://www.korbel.com to enter, and for official rules. Entries will be accepted online or via mail through Dec. 1, 2003. Contest is open to U.S. residents 21 years of age or older, where legal. (Void where prohibited, certain restrictions apply, no purchase necessary.)
Established in 1882, Korbel Champagne Cellars has been a part of America's greatest celebrations for more than 120 years. Korbel has been a supplier and licensee of the 1996 Olympic Games, the exclusive champagne of the past five Presidential Inaugurations, a supporter of Team Dennis Conner for the 1995 America's Cup and the first global sponsor of Times Square 2000 - a sponsorship that lasts through 2007. Korbel is an Official Supporter of the 2000, 2002 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams and the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Korbel is the number one selling premium methode champenoise- produced champagne in America.
Blue Nile, the online leader in the diamond and fine jewelry category, located on the Web at http://www.bluenile.com , offers consumers a better way to buy diamonds and fine jewelry. Blue Nile consistently receives honors from such distinguished publications as TIME and Forbes, among many others. Blue Nile provides an exceptional collection of classically styled jewelry selected according to high standards of quality, beauty and value. Cleanly designed and easy to navigate, the site offers the in-depth education necessary to make informed purchases with confidence. All Blue Nile jewelry is delivered free of charge, and guaranteed and returnable within 30 days. Based in Seattle, Blue Nile is privately held with investments from Bessemer Venture Partners; Trinity Ventures; Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; Lightspeed Venture Partners; Integral Capital Partners; and Vulcan Ventures Inc.
Celebrate Responsibly.
Source: Korbel study conducted by StrategyOne from May 2 - May 4, 2003. The telephone survey was completed nationwide among 1,000 Americans. Margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent.
CONTACT: Allison Grenesko of Edelman, +1-312-240-2725, Allison.grenesko@edelman.com , or Margie Healy of Korbel Champagne Cellars, +1-707-824-7715, mhealy@korbel.com .
Men Off the Hook When It Comes to Popping the Question
Survey Reveals Women Are Turning the Tables on Tradition
Korbel Perfect Proposal Contest Makes 'Marry Me?' Moments a Dream Come True, Whether It's the Man or the Woman Proposing
GUERNEVILLE, Calif., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- From Monica Gellar on "Friends" to Trista Rehn on "The Bachelorette" -- the days of "ladies in waiting" are over when it comes to marriage proposals. Women orchestrating proposals doesn't only happen on TV -- in fact, a 2003 proposal survey conducted by Korbel Champagne found that almost one in three (31 percent) Americans know a woman who has proposed marriage to a man.(1)
"Will You Be My ... Husband?"
Today, women are twisting traditional gender roles more than ever, whether they're running for the presidential nomination, competing in a male-dominated professional golf tournament, hitting the open-wheel racing circuit, or heading a Fortune 500(TM) company.
As women take on larger leadership roles in the workplace and in society, it's only natural that they've begun to assume these roles in the realm of romance, as well. This "role reversal" trend is not only evident in the number of women proposing, but in society's willingness to accept this shift, as six out of ten Americans (59 percent) do not think that men should always be the ones to propose.
Neither does 30-year-old Christin Glodek, whose husband, Andrew Papachristos, acknowledges she is the type of person who is comfortable straying from the norms of traditional gender roles. Despite this, Papachristos was "totally surprised" by Glodek's October 2001 proposal (on the night before they were set to move in together)."Christin's proposal was symbolic of our relationship and definitely had her personal stamp on it," says Papachristos. Of Glodek's unique idea to pop the question by carving "Will You Marry Me?" in a line of Halloween pumpkins, Papachristos adds "I was completely overwhelmed ... it was perfect and I don't think I could have done it any better."
The Chicago-based couple is not alone: six out of ten Americans (63 percent) agree women proposing marriage to men is becoming more common. The survey also revealed that almost half (48 percent) of women would propose to their significant other, and eight out of ten men (80 percent) would accept a proposal from their significant other.
Planning a Perfect Proposal
From determining the time and place of the proposal to figuring out how to say those four little words, asking for someone's hand in marriage can be an overwhelming process for any man or woman.
Jason R. Rich, author of soon-to-be released "Will You Marry Me? Popping the Question with Romance and Style" (The Career Press, 2003) says that regardless of who proposes, "understanding the expectations and dreams of the person you're proposing to -- and taking them into consideration during the planning process -- is the first step in bringing a perfect proposal to life."
The Korbel Perfect Proposal Contest
This year, Korbel has tied the knot with Blue Nile to help men and women make their ultimate "Marry Me?" moment a reality. For the second year in a row, the Korbel Perfect Proposal Contest invites Americans who are ready to propose to enter to win their dream proposal, complete with an exclusive round Blue Nile Signature Diamond Engagement Ring (created from among the top one percent of all diamonds in the world). Judges will select three first prize winners based on creativity, originality and romantic theme, and Korbel will bring the three winning proposals to life just before Valentine's Day, 2003. One of these winners will also be selected to receive the grand prize of $10,000 for a honeymoon or reception.
Last year's grand prize winner, Ashley Yablon, of Dallas, Texas, proposed to girlfriend Donna Yarborough on Broadway, after a performance of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida. During a special encore onstage with the show's leads, Yablon serenaded the unsuspecting Yarborough in front of the audience and cast, all of whom couldn't help but sing along. The couple has planned a fall 2003 wedding.
"The response we received last year was overwhelming," says Gary Heck, Chairman and President, Korbel Champagne Cellars. "Proposals are special, emotional moments for people, and as an integral part of these moments, it makes sense for Korbel to help bring dream proposals to life through the Perfect Proposal Contest."
Visit www.korbel.com for more information on the Korbel Perfect Proposal Contest. Entries will be accepted at www.korbel.com or via mail June 1, 2003 - Dec. 1, 2003, see official rules at www.korbel.com for more information. Contest is open to U.S. residents 21 years of age or older, where legal. (Void where prohibited, certain restrictions apply, no purchase necessary.)Established in 1882, Korbel Champagne Cellars has been a part of America's greatest celebrations for more than 120 years. Korbel has been a supplier and licensee of the 1996 Olympic Games, the exclusive champagne of the past five Presidential Inaugurations, a supporter of Team Dennis Conner for the 1995 America's Cup and the first global sponsor of Times Square 2000 -- a sponsorship that lasts through 2007. Korbel is an Official Supporter of the 2000, 2002 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams and the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Korbel is the number one selling premium methode champenoise- produced champagne in America.
Blue Nile, the online leader in the diamond and fine jewelry category, located on the Web at www.bluenile.com , offers consumers a better way to buy diamonds and fine jewelry. Blue Nile consistently receives honors from such distinguished publications as TIME and Forbes, among many others. Blue Nile provides an exceptional collection of classically styled jewelry selected according to high standards of quality, beauty and value. Cleanly designed and easy to navigate, the site offers the in-depth education necessary to make informed purchases with confidence. All Blue Nile jewelry is delivered free of charge, and guaranteed and returnable within 30 days. Based in Seattle, Blue Nile is privately held with investments from Bessemer Venture Partners; Trinity Ventures; Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; Lightspeed Venture Partners; Integral Capital Partners; and Vulcan Ventures Inc.
Celebrate Responsibly.
(1) Source: Korbel study conducted by StrategyOne from May 2 - May 4, 2003. The telephone survey was completed nationwide among 1,000 Americans. Margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent.
Contact: Devin Collins
Edelman
312/616.1697
devin.collins@edelman.comMargie Healy
Korbel Champagne Cellars
707/824.7715
mhealy@korbel.com
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Source: Korbel Champagne CellarsCONTACT: Devin Collins of Edelman, +1-312-616-1697, or
devin.collins@edelman.com ; or Margie Healy of Korbel Champagne Cellars,
+1-707-824-7715, or mhealy@korbel.com
Web site: http://www.bluenile.com/
http://www.korbel.com/
