The woman who arranges marriage proposals for men (and the girls always say yes)
MEET Amelia Johnson, she’s one of a growing number of proposal planners helping men spend up to $25,000 to ensure they get the right answer.
Nth Beaches
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Men are under increasing pressure to create the perfect moment when proposing to their girlfriends, with some spending thousands of dollars employing companies to help.
Amelia Johnson, an event co-ordinator from Manly, was asked to help organise marriage proposals by a company based on the Gold Coast which kept getting inquiries from Sydney.
This year alone she has organised ten successful proposals in Sydney, with more inquiries coming in every week.
One man was so keen to impress he spent $25000 on a week’s worth of lavish treats for him and his wife-to-be including sending her 1000 red roses, hiring out an entire cinema where the two of them watched their favourite movie in their pyjamas, a boat trip for two around Sydney Harbour, a lunch for all his girlfriend’s friends, topped off with a stay at a five-star hotel in Sydney and dinner, before proposing in their hotel room, where the team had installed an ivy canopy, decorated with pearls, crystals and love notes.
“All of these men are gentlemen in every sense of the word,” said Ms Johnson, 33, who gets clients through the website Unforgettable Proposals.
“They want to treat their girlfriends to the best and want their partners to feel like they are princesses.”
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She also said the women loved the attention to detail, including the love notes, personalised menus, their favourite love songs being played and most of all the photos of the actual proposal, which many post on Facebook to announce their engagement.
Ms Johnson said she was puzzled as to how proposals had become such a big event and thought men were under increasing pressure to make the moment unique and special.
“There’s so much competition in this game we call life,” she said.
Joshua Barardinelli, 24, from Smithfield, who proposed to his girlfriend Michelle Galea, 28, with help from Ms Johnson, said he was searching the internet for ideas when he came across the website.
“These days getting down on one knee at home is not good enough,” he said.
As well as arranging for Miss Galea to have a day off work, he sent her to a day spa, had lunch together, took a helicopter ride across Sydney at twilight and afterwards proposed in a hotel room, where her favourite love song was playing, before eating dinner overlooking the Harbour Bridge.
“I was crying with happiness,” said Miss Galea, from Nelson, who works in the construction industry, along with Mr Barardinelli, an earth excavator.
“He’s the type of guy to buy me flowers just to put a smile on my face.
“But this was better than I ever imagined it would be. It was a fairytale proposal, a dream come true.”
Ms Johnson said proposal packages start from just over $400 for a two hour private charter on a yacht with lunch and champagne, but most paid around the $2000 mark, with add-ons.
The most expensive package available in Sydney includes hiring exclusive use of grounds at Miramare Gardens in Terrey Hills, with a three-course meal, champagne, a harpist playing your favourite music and overnight accommodation, starting at around $4500.
However, every package can be customised and often the men have an idea already, they just need help executing it, said Ms Johnson.
“We really make sure it’s personal, that it is all about the story of their relationship,” she said.
“Every detail is taken care of.
“We know how to source the best of everything in Sydney, from the best boats to hire, the hotel rooms with the best balconies, even down to the best macaroons in town.”
Mark Dunlop, 24, from Penrith, wowed his fiancé Emma Ellis, 29, by re-creating a Paris theme at Jonah’s restaurant at Whale Beach, with the couple arriving at the venue by seaplane.
He said Miss Ellis had hinted he could propose to her if he joined her on a work trip to Paris, having already told him many times that she wouldn’t be happy with a straightforward proposal in a restaurant.
While, he couldn’t afford to make the trip, he decided to employ Ms Johnson to help bring Paris to Sydney.
“I spent a lot of money, but it was worth it,” he said.
“Girls want to remember the proposal.”
The couple posted the photos on Facebook and were delighted at the response from followers.
“Most people just say “congrats” when someone announces their engagement on Facebook, but we were overwhelmed by the comments,” said Mr Dunlop, who is in marketing.
“Everyone was posting comments saying “wow, that’s amazing”. It was really nice.”
Ms Johnson, who is actually divorced, said her ex proposed as she got out the shower in her towel and it was “unplanned, unromantic and not thought through”.
She still said yes, although it only lasted five years.
Now she is with her new partner and after all the proposals she has arranged said she has high expectations if he were ever to propose.
“This job has helped restore my faith in men,” said Miss Johnson, who owns Bespoke Social, an events company based on the northern beaches.
“I can’t believe how many wonderful men there are out there.”
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