If you’re proposing to a weird person, the traditional ways of popping the question might seem too vanilla for your darkling bride, groom, or partner-to-be. Dirge has you covered with a list of alternative ways to get your weird person to say YES. For better or worse.
1. Give a Memento Mori Ring
The ring is what your person will cherish forever. Choose something suited to their dark tastes that will serve as their gorgeous, unique reminder of your love for them.
1. Star and Skull Ring by Alexander McQueen 2. Konstantino ‘Minos’ Etched Black Onyx Ring 3. Chain Skull Ring by Alexander McQueen 4. Golden Skull Ring by Macabre Gadgets 5. Endless Night Ring. Part I. 6. Easeful Death. Large Onyx Coffin Ring by Blood Milk Jewelry 7. Black Spinel Ring by Tiffany & Co. 8. Royal Skull Ring by Alexander McQueen
2. Rig Their Tarot Reading
If your weird person has a penchant for the ethereal and cosmic, try rigging their tarot reading. This will enable you to predict their future and ask them to be your eternal lover – though be prepared to study beforehand if you are a tarot newbie. A tarot guidebook will become your best friend!
The magic of a tarot reading is that, like positive thinking, it can be read in accordance with what you want to happen; tarot cards act as mirrors for reflection. In other words, you can interpret the cards’ meanings to fit your goal of ‘predicting’ your loved one’s future with you. A three card spread is a good option because you get the benefit of tying your partner’s past, present, and future together. You can peruse the deck beforehand and remove some of the more problematic cards that might be difficult to interpret to your liking. But even seemingly ominous cards, such as the Death card, can be read as closing one chapter and beginning another, providing you with the perfect set-up for your question.
1. Pagan Otherworlds Tarot 2. Tarot Guidebook by The Wild Unknown 3. Darkwave Collection – Altar by Burke & Hare Co 4. Le Vernis in Intermezzo 5. Planchette Moth Brooch 6. Diptyque Ambre Candle 7. Planchette. Large Oracle Ring
3. Commission a Dark Artisan To Illustrate Your Proposal
This is a relatively simple idea that, like his/her/their engagement ring, will be one your loved one can physically cherish forever! Commission a dark artisan to illustrate a proposal scene or even just illustrate your question in beautiful calligraphy. You can simply give it to your person as a wrapped gift, or display it somewhere (like the bathroom mirror) where they will come across it as a surprise before getting ready for your celebration dinner, night out, or a romantic night in.
Note: while some artists are always available for commission work, some only offer this service a few times per year. A best practice is to plan for this well in advance and/or inquire with the artist so you can learn about their policies and their pricing.
1. Even In Death by Poison Apple Printshop 2. When Ghost Meets Ghost book cover 3. Ziegfeld Collection Pearl Ring 4. Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 5. Coco Noir by Chanel 6. Le Vernis in Orage
4. Seek Out Your Local Speakeasy or Bar
If you live in or near a major city, take advantage of the password needed to get past the mysterious door or hidden hallway of a speakeasy. If you don’t live near a speakeasy, you can also ask the bouncer at a local bar for help with this one, by pretending there is a password to get in for the night (note: you will need to go to the speakeasy/bar in advance to ask for their help).
The password should be “yes.” You, the proposer, can stall while your significant other tries to guess the password. When your partner isn’t getting it after several guesses (or longer, depending on how long you want to torture them for), you can pop the question! When they say yes, you’ll be granted access to the speakeasy or bar to celebrate.
1. Speakeasy 2. Alexander McQueen Classic Skull Box Clutch 3. Love Me by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab 4. Two of a kind/just between us flask 5. Union Black Jack by Butter London 6. Rouge Coco Shine in Aura 7. The Obsidian tomb necklace 8. Confetti
5. Hide the Ring in a Specimen Jar At Their Favorite Museum
Obviously the museum’s help is paramount in this proposal idea. But this can make for an incredible surprise, as your person will never suspect it! Take them on a date to their favorite macabre museum, and watch them spot your hidden ring in one of the exhibits. But please ask for the museum’s permission and help! Never disturb any of the actual displays.
Tip: hiding the ring in an empty, sealed jar (a mason jar or a bell jar, for example) is probably best to keep it from getting lost.
1. The Mütter Museum 2. Alexander McQueen Ruby Red Flower Ring 3. Bell jar 4. Le Vernis in Black Satin 5. Alexander McQueen Rose Knuckle-duster lace clutch 6. Swarovski Crystal Royal Skull Earrings 7. Beyond the Dark Veil – an essential Mütter Museum souvenir
