Forget the wedding planner - what about the proposal planner?

By Ceri Roberts, Jan 18, 2012

Forget the wedding planner - what about the proposal planner? Getty

We've seen the pictures of Holly Valance's fella popping the question on a beach over Christmas. And YouTube is full of video clips of women being serenaded by choirs or taken to the cinema to be shown home movies that prove just how much their man wants to put a ring on it.

So it's no wonder that the average bloke is now expected to come up with the perfect proposal. And, this being a leap year, the ladies might be feeling the pressure, too.

But there's no need to panic because you can now hire a 'Proposal Planner' to make sure that you pop the question in style.

As you'd expect, the industry has evolved across the pond - where planners can earn thousands for putting together elaborate scenarios featuring doves, helicopters, famous musicians and overseas trips.

The Daily Mail reports that Sarah Pease of New York-based Brilliant Event Planning only planned weddings until a friend told her that her boyfriend had proposed by putting a ring at the bottom of a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

She told the New York Times: "I figured there must be a better way."

She now charges $500 for coming up with an idea and up to $12,000 to execute it. The ideas she mentions on her website include a romantic evening in New York and a romantic trip to Paris.

Michelle Williamson of Los Angeles-based agency The Heart Bandits, which specialises in proposal planning, wrote on the Huffington Post: "The client doesn't just give us cash and say 'Come up with a great proposal idea'. We interview the client and ask him a ton of questions about this girlfriend, how they met, and other special details about their relationship. The client spends a lot of time during this interview process answering questions most men probably couldn't remember. Next, we use the interview responses to put together a proposal and tell a story about the couple in a creative way. Last, we set up the proposal."

She adds: "The client is very involved in the whole process."

It sounds like a real money spinner - but wouldn't it be more romantic for the man to plan the proposal all by himself?

How would you feel if your fella used a proposal planner? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which celebs have found love despite their age gap...

Celebrity age-gap couples

Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson: 23 years
 Taylor-Wood met the 21-year-old Johnson on the set of her film Nowhere Boy. They have one daughter together and are expecting another child early next year. Of the 23-year age gap, Johnson has said: 'I'm an old soul, and she's a young soul.' <div> </div>
Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore: 15 years
 Many thought the marriage between Demi and Ashton was doomed to failure, in part because of the 15-year age-gap between the two. They filed for divorce last month but the actress responsible for the alleged 'cougar' trend told a mag in the past: 'People made such a fuss about my relationship with Ashton. You would have thought they had never seen it before. Age wasn't what I was thinking about, but to the rest of the world it was a very big deal.'
Caroline Flack and Harry Styles: 15 years
 The 32-year-old's relationship with the 17-year-old One Direction singer is allegedly heating up, with Flack receiving death threats from fans of the band. 'I keep thinking, "What have I done wrong?" But I haven't done anything wrong,' says Flack. 'What's hard for me to get my head around is people saying it's disgusting. I don't think it is.'
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: 12 years
 One of Hollywood's most-talked about couples has an age gap of 12 years, but with six children they seem to be on top of their game. In January 2012's Marie Claire US mag, Jolie reveals her older beau has taught her a lot: 'I suppose what I've learned from Brad is to be able to have the kind of family whose happiness and well-being comes before your own. I'm very, very grateful to have such a loving family, and I wouldn't have that without him.'
Jay-Z and Beyonce
 Beyonce is 12 years younger than hubby Jay-Z. They're expecting their first child in the New Year.
Katy Perry and Russell Brand: Nine years
 The pop star who managed to tame the comedian's wild ways doesn't think their age gap makes a difference in their relationship. 'We're at different places in our lives, but we can still grow together. He's thought-provoking, articulate, a real advocate. I also definitely wanted to have a laugh. I have all that in him.'
Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy: 13 years
 While it's their five-inch height difference that's most often talked about, France's President and his first lady are also 13 years apart.
Heidi Klum and Seal: 11 years
 As parents of four, the 11-year age gap doesn't seem to be diminishing the familial bliss between the Victoria's Secret Angel and her musician hubby.
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones: 25 years
 Michael is a whopping quarter century older than his Welsh bride. The gorgeous Catherine told a mag: 'I've never dated anybody the same age as me. I think it's because I love the knowledge older men have.'
Eva Longoria and Eduardo Cruz: Nine years
 After her relationship to the seven-years younger Tony Parker ended, Eva's found love again with Penelope Cruz's younger brother, Eduardo. 'The truth is, I should be angry, resentful and disillusioned about relationships. But I’m not. I was very lucky to find Edu,' she has said.
Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert: 20 years
 Even a 20-years-younger fiancee hasn't stopped Albert from allegedly straying and fathering a third love child during his engagement to the Olympic swimmer.
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart: 22 years
 The 22-year age gap is something to joke about for the married couple. 'I like to tease him about it,' said Calista. 'I use it against him. He’s lived a very long time, you know. He knows everything. I say, "Yes honey, you’re very old, we know that."'
Annette Bening and Warren Beatty: 21 years
 Unlike many celeb couples who claim that age makes no difference to their relationships, Annette says it does factor into her day-to-day life with former Hollywood heartbreaker Warren. 'Everybody who has an age difference in their marriage has to address it at times because you're at different stages in your life. You're going through different things. You have to have a fundamental love and mutual respect for one another for it to work.'
Brahim Zaibat and Madonna: 29 years
 It's no secret Madonna has a thing for younger guys, from ex-husband Guy Ritchie (10 years) to ex-model boyfriend Jesus Luz (29 years). Madge's latest flame is a dancer who seems to share her sense of style.
Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Depp: Nine years
 The envy of women everywhere, Vanessa has described her first meeting with Johnny as love at first sight. The couple ditched their wild ways when they got together, with Vanessa falling pregnant three months after they started dating. 'I didn't tame him - we tamed each other,' she said of the relationship.
Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart: 27 years
 With two young sons, we imagine Rod and Penny are too busy focusing on their kids to fret about the large age difference between them.
Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green: 12 years
 One of Hollywood's hottest bombshells is now married to her 12-years-older beau, even though their road to wedded bliss included one broken engagement.
Delta Goodrem and Nick Jonas: Eight years
 While an eight-year age gap isn't too substantial, with a boy aged 18, it may make a difference. Then again, not all 18-year-olds are like Nick Jonas.
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon: 11 years
 The musician and her comedian hubby have an 11-year age gap - and a set of seven-month twins. Speaking to Oprah about the age gap, Nick - who had a crush on Mariah growing up - said: 'Age ain't nothing but a number.'
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes: 16 years
 Lots of girls have posters of their crushes on the wall, but how many actually get to marry them? Of the 16-year age gap between her and Tom, Katie has said: 'It was never a concern. I know one would think, Now, how is that? But really, we both like to work, we both like our families. It’s being there, being supportive, being an ear.'
Hugh Hefner and Shera Bechard: 58 years
 After being dumped by 60-years-younger fiancee Crystal Harris, Hef bounced back the way he does best - with another pneumatic blonde who's over 50 years his junior.
Lara Stone and David Walliams: 12 years
 Although they were branded an unlikely couple from the start, top model Lara and funny man David are going strong. 'He makes me laugh. He's a proper gentleman. He's a bit mean, but in a good way,' Stone has said of Walliams.