The wedding experts at Bride Magazine  have witnessed their fair share of engagement hits and misses over the years, so they’ve curated a list of nine proposals that go well beyond the bended knee.

1. Being proposed to on your partners’ birthday
Normally birthdays and major events are a big ‘no no’ when it comes to being creative, but we think this one is kind of sweet. It would definitely be the last question you would be expecting on your lover’s special day. What do you think, croon or cringe?

2. Re-creating your very first date before popping the question
This one is an oldie but a goodie. We all know that our partners don’t always have the best memories when it comes to anniversaries and other people’s birthdays, so to be able to recreate your first date is super romantic. We think bonus points definitely apply for how much they can remember.

3. Scavenger hunts
You can never go wrong with the traditional down-on-one-knee proposal, but who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Follow a list of clues to find your lover at the end holding the treasure (diamond ring). We think this proposal is pretty cute, what do you think?

4. Spell it out
Pretty much the only thing you can expect after a long, hot shower is a fogged up mirror. But imagine stepping out of the shower to find ‘Will You Marry Me?’ written on the mirror? Proposals don’t always have to be elaborate, that part you can save for the wedding, but we think this proposal is simple with a touch of creative. Proposals spelt out in alphabet letters on the fridge, glow-in-the-dark stars on the bedroom ceiling or spelling it out with food on your breakfast plate.

5. Full-page ad in the paper
Imagine sitting down and enjoying your morning coffee, opening up your daily paper and finding a full-page advertisement with the words ‘Will You Marry Me?’ directed at you. Would this make you croon or cringe?

6. Valentine’s Day proposal
This is the most popular day for wedding proposals. With the day being all about love, flowers, chocolates and anything romantic, it’s a tad expected. We vote for different: pop the question the following day when she is least expecting it.

7. Restaurant proposal
While it can be very romantic to arrange to have the ring hidden in dessert or in the bottom of a champagne flute, it can also go horribly wrong – i.e. ending up in the bride-to-be’s stomach.

8. After-thought proposal
We all love going to weddings: there’s so much love floating around, everyone looks their best and, if we’re in a relationship, we start dreaming of our own big day. But that doesn’t mean we want to be proposed to straight after our friends’ wedding and take away from their special moment, or do we? We’re on the fence about this one.

9. Up in the air
Popping the question while on a romantic hot-air balloon ride or atop of a Ferris wheel at a carnival is always a popular choice for proposals. But if you’re not expecting it, the romantic gesture may turn awkward, and it can seem like a lifetime before you’re on solid ground again. Brave and romantic or disaster in the making? Share your thoughts.

This story appears courtesy of Bride Magazine.