A man in Britain had a great idea for how to propose to his girlfriend: He was going to pop the question and then she would pop a helium-filled balloon with the $12,000 engagement he bought inside it.  Definitely an original idea, but unfortunately it did not go as planned.

If you’re not quite engaged, I highly recommend suggesting to your fiance that he either has someone videotape your proposal or capture it with a digital camera. Friends of ours got engaged in 2000 while on vacation, and after Jimmy proposed he had a couple nearby take their photo.

When we got engaged Dave remembered Jimmy’s words of wisdom about bringing a camera with him. So after Dave proposed, he snapped a whole roll of film (we didn’t have a digital camera or camera phone in 2001) of me screaming like a lunatic. If I get a chance to scan in some of these photos I will. They’re hysterical. And by the way, we were alone so there’s not one photo of the 2 of us - just 24 photos of me screaming and crying and staring at my beautiful engagement ring. So in addition to great shots of you as a bride-to-be, try and get a shot of the two of you. I promise that you'll love having this very special moment on film.

About a month ago I told all of you about the mean joke Dave played on me by giving me a fake diamond. Well, he has suggested that I tell all of you the story how he finally did propose. But before I do, I wanted to share this video clip with you of a very original and romantic proposal:

Whether you just got engaged or have been planning for a few months, we'd love to hear how your groom proposed to you. Was it really romantic? Were you surprised? Is it a funny story, or will it make us cry?

Please share your engagement story with us!

Did I ever tell you the horribly mean story of what Dave did to me about a year before we got engaged?

We were dating about 5 or 6 years and he knew I wanted to get engaged – there was no question that we were going to get married at some point. So on Christmas morning – we celebrate Hanukkah on December 25th and call it Grandma Day - at my grandmother’s he pulled me aside and said that he wanted to give me something in private, and that it was something that I’ve been wanting for a long time.

So of course I think it’s a diamond ring. Doesn’t it sound like it would be?

Anyway, he gives me this oddly shaped package and inside is a diamond – a "Diamond" razor by Schick. So I look at him, and he smiles and says, “You said you wanted a diamond.”

Can you believe this? I almost hit him. How mean can someone be, right?

The reason I’m telling you this is because of this – now I see it as hysterical – mug with “diamond ring” handle. If you’re looking to pull a similar joke on someone, then this is the item for you. Great for April Fool's Day, right?

And by the way, the online store, Molla Space, that sells it also carries some great home accessories and gift items. I ordered the Teardrop iPod Shower Holder for my dad. I hope he’s not reading this.

Dave reads my blog everyday. So, if you think he was being mean - or if you think it was a great joke - please let him know by posting a comment.

If you’re still waiting for your prince charming to get on one knee, send him this post for a unique wedding proposal idea.

I wish I could remember exactly what Dave said when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, but to be honest, as soon as he got on one knee, I knew what was coming and started crying. But if he had the Euricase ring box, I could relive the moment again and again.

What makes this ring box special is the 2-inch LCD screen your groom-to-be can download his proposal on. He can create a slideshow of up to 500 pictures or a 30-60minute video for you to watch and cherish forever.

If you’re already engaged, you can get the Euricase for your wedding bands and put pictures or video from your ceremony, first dance and other special moments from your wedding on it.

A couple met, shared their first date and last week were married at a Wal-Mart in Ohio. They wed in the nursery (gardening) section in front of family, friends, colleagues and customers.

Since Wal-Mart carries almost everything, finding their vendors were easy – flowers from the nursery, a wedding cake from the bakery and lawn chairs from the patio section were arranged for guests to sit during the ceremony.

I think they set an example for brides and grooms everywhere – have the wedding you want. Go with your heart, and gut instinct. Don’t let others dictate your wedding details and have fun planning the wedding and enjoy your big day.

Now, if you met at a Wal-Mart would you consider getting married at the store? Would you get married where you met? We met in high school and then re-met on the beach. I wouldn’t have gotten hitched in our high school, but I would have considered a beach wedding.

There was an article in The New York Times today about men hiring a photographer to capture their wedding proposal without their future fiance’s knowledge. I think it’s wonderful that a man would think so much about this special moment that he would think to do this.

When I got engaged Dave brought a camera (a disposable one) and took pics of me screaming and crying but we were by ourselves and didn’t have anyone to take a picture of the two of us.

I wish we did.

While it might not be in the budget to hire a professional photographer to snap pics of your guy getting down on bended knee, he can ask a friend or relative to take pictures – though if he does choose a friend he'll have to hide since you may recognize him.

This billboard went up last week in New York City. A very romantic guy had it installed for his proposal to a very lucky lady. The groom-to-be hired a professional photographer, Missy Grimm to capture the huge declaration of his love, the moment he proposed and her reaction. (In case you were wondering, she said yes.)

What do you think? Would you want someone taking pictures of your proposal, or would you rather it be a private moment?

I just heard that the President and First Lady announced the engagement of their daughter Jenna Bush to John Hager.

I wish them both a hearty Mazel Tov and keep wondering what kind of wedding they'll have. Will they get married at the White House like past First Daughters, or get married in one of their home states - Texas or Virginia?

Imagine a red, white and blue wedding - that could be so much fun to plan! Bright red flowers or blue hydrangea mixed with some white blooms, a cake with a striped red, white and blue design, guests could wave American flags as the couple leave the church and toast the newlyweds with a signature drink - The Lady Liberty a champagne cocktail with a dash of chambord and lemon.

Or they can have a monogram - the letter J - on all of their details.

I love these theme ideas. Maybe we’ll add them to the Theme Finder.

What do you think Jenna Bush should plan for her wedding?