satnit, there is indeed an ice skating rink this year in Bryant Park and it is FREE!!

I am sorry to rain on your idea but I think that the carriage is ride is too cliche. I think she will expect the proposal every time you are at one of these cliche places.

My husband proposed to me while we were strolling over a bridge over a river. He waited until we got to the midpoint, dropped to his knee and made a little speech about the bridge symbolizing two lives coming together.

Even though I knew a proposal was immenent, in that setting it was very much a surprise.

In addition, he knew that I wanted to pick out my own ring, so he gave me a "placeholder" ring which was a sweet little gold band until I got the real one. I wear it on a chain around my neck because it is so special.

Maybe a pretty placeholder ring instead of a goofy ring?

....just one gal's opinion.

whatever you do, good luck!

bermyguy I love your desire to make it special and memorable. If the weather doesn't hold for a carriage ride, you can always wait for the dinner at Rainbow or 21 (or, another beautiful location is Cafe des Artistes (look on line, very romantic, beautiful murals, no view, but still romantic). I LOVE the idea of a fun plastic/costume ring - consider presenting it with something along the lines of "I chose this ring FOR NOW, and hoping we will choose the real ring together, as we will be forever" - and KEEP that fun ring ! - add a ribbon to it later and maybe hang it on your Christmas tree together ever year! - and I agree about sometime visiting St. Patricks together - light a candle and say a prayer! - Best of Luck ! Congratulations. Lucky girl, and lucky guy I am thinking.....

how about doing a miracle on 34th street theme?

One thing about St. Patrick's...I would recommend visiting it after you've proposed and bought the ring (if you do end up buying it in NYC). Aside from it being a stunning cathedral, and beautifully decorated at Christmas, the lighting really makes a diamond sparkle :) Obviously, that's a very minor reason to visit such a beautiful church, but we visited an hour after our engagement, and I will never forget the way my diamond & sapphire ring looked!

Was going to attend the midnight service at St. Patrick's on Christmas Eve but apparently all of the tickets are gone!!!

Go to St Patricks anyway, even if you can't go for the service. Check and see if they have any other services with music/choir - we once attended one in the evening several days prior to Christmas, so you might want to see if they have a schedule of other services on line, but even if not - go anyway whenthey are open and walk around and see it and sit for a moment and soak it all in. It's amazing.

There are some other really great midnight (and otherwise) church experiences for Xmas in NYC. You can even find a mass (and music) in French, Spanish, Italian ...

Thought I'd come back to second the suggestion of "One If By Land" for dinner sometime. Many people think of it as the most romantic restaurant in NYC. It's in the village, has no sign to speak of. Very pretty place and much less hectic than Tavern on the Green, say (which is HUGE) or even the Rainbow Room. And the food has a great rep. Not cheap, but memorable. In fact, One If By Land is probably a popular place for engagments ...

My hubby proposed in a carriage ride in C Park in November 1996 - it was magical. Just as he produced the ring a lovely golden leaf fell right into my hands, must have been a sign - because we got married in the New England fall the next October.

Apparently, like you he'd planned different places and as we are from the UK he wasn't sure where would be right place, as this was our first time to NY. I'm glad he chose this way! I'm sure whatever you choose will be the best way. Good Luck.

If you can't get into St. Patricks for Christmas Eve, come uptown to St. John the Divine. It is larger than St. Patricks and one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world as well. The music at St. Johns will be wonderful and the cathedral over the holidays is beautifully magical.

As far as your popping the question, I would not go with a carriage ride, since you will never be able to find that horse and buggy again, I would find a beautiful spot that you can go back to your next trip to the city.

You might think about the River Cafe with the lighting of the city in the background, or again uptown to the Cloisters, and go outside on one of the beautiful balconies overlooking the Hudson River. Or how about the top of the Empire State Building.

Oh and I would suggest proposing early in your vacation, so you have the rest of the time to enjoy the city as an engaged couple, it will put a special "glow" on your entire trip.

Have a great time while you are here.

Also thought I would add, might be fun to pick out your china pattern too, while you are here, always fun to shop and some else special to remember.

For that try Macy's
Bloomies
Tiffany's
Fortunoff's

An early congratulations and have a fun time.

i love all the responses & am so happy to see that romance is still alive & kicking in NYC! i work in Rockefeller Plaza & must take it for granted. the Rainbow Room would be lovely place to propose as well as in front of the tree or skating rink. but filled to the gills with tourists any given time during the holidays. Central Park carriage ride, weather permitting, sounds sweet too. but 2 things before I consider marrying someone; a ring in hand, down on a bended knee !

Bermyguy,

I am planning the same thing and came across this thread while coming up with ideas. So, if you see someone kneeling next to you, wave, as it may be me!

As a helpful tip, you can also just have a drink at One if By Land - a lot easier to slip in for a nice drink to enjoy the setting. Plus, if you call ahead, they're sure to take very good care of you! (In my experience, dinner didn't live up to my expectations).

Or another thought - there are dinner cruises that circle Manhattan. The best part is gliding by the Statue of Liberty, all lit up , and the skyline in front of you...Perhaps someone here can recommend one that would be appropriate (sorry, I've not been on one since my HS prom).

Jim,

Once you're kneeling next to me and not in front of me there won't be any problems!!! lol

Good luck to you.

I go with top of the rock see the following:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/pagesix/2005...ttrapsmackdown

TTT

Bermyguy,
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and don't forget to post an update!

Maybe he will change his mind and propose while they are walking all over the city due to the transit strike....

Well, after spending three days attempting to commute to work, I can promise that it is not in the least bit romantic! :)