Dennis Kwan

If you want to propose to your partner, there are many ways to ask the question. But to make sure the moment goes smoothly, celebrity event planner Marcy Blum shares her advice for the big proposal.

An expert in the wedding and event planning business, Blum – who has worked with big names including LeBron James, Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, Bill Gates’ daughter Jenn Gates and Nayel Nassar, and Kate Bock and Kevin Love – also recently planned Say yes to the dress The surprise marriage proposal from “The 40 Years of Music” star Randy Fenoli to Mete Kobal, his partner of almost a year, at the Marmara Park Avenue Hotel in New York City.

Clane Gessel Studio

In honor of National Proposal Day, Blum shares her top tips below.

Create the perfect setup

Make sure you create the perfect backdrop for the kneeling proposal (and make sure the design is large enough to accommodate the moment!).

Plan something afterwards

Think about what happens immediately afterward. You’re on a high and you want the high to last. Are you going out to eat somewhere? Have you invited your partner’s family and friends to a bar to meet up with you? Plan something for after the proposal!

Hire a photographer (or ask a friend)

You want to capture the moment for posterity! Hire a photographer or ask a friend to capture the proposal.

Determine the right tone with music

Nothing sets the mood like music! It could even be an iPhone or a Bluetooth speaker – you don’t have to hire a symphony orchestra!

Think about who will clean up afterwards

After the engagement, you don’t want to have to deal with the cleanup, so delegate this task to someone else in advance.

It’s all about the bait

Think of a good idea how you can get your partner to the place of the marriage proposal without them suspecting that something is about to happen!

The location is important

If it is a public space, be sure to check it at the time of application. A park may be busier at sunset than at 11am