A recent survey undertaken by Beautiful Bride magazine has discovered the most popular venues for a marriage proposal. More than 3,000 women were asked where their other half popped the question to them and the results make for very interesting reading.

Most popular, and one that most of us would have guessed, was at a fancy restaurant. I'm not talking Strada or Zizi here; I mean a proper fancy restaurant. Most popular destination, predictably again, was Paris, closely followed by London. Second most popular place for a marriage proposal was balloon rides. Not many would have guessed that one! But when you think about it, it really does make a lot of sense, although it would be more than a tad awkward if she was to say 'no' and you had to endure the rest of the balloon rides in awkward, heart breaking silence!

When you weigh it up though, is it that surprising? A beautiful crisp spring day, the sun beaming through the light fluffy clouds, a private Balloon Ride makes the perfect setting. OK it may not be that exotic, but it is different to your everyday existence - it isn't often that you spend time amongst the clouds is it! Of course, you don't have complete privacy as the Balloon pilot will of course be in the basket with you, though you could ask him politely to keep himself to himself and make himself transparent (might be a tad rude mind).

Ladies, just imagine floating through the blue skies of Britain (if you're lucky, they will, in truth, more than likely be grey!) next to the love of your life, thinking to yourself: 'this is perfect, just per-fect! The only thing that can make it the most perfect moment of my life would be if my hunky lover dropped on one knee, produced the most sparkly, clear diamond ring and asked me to be his wife, in sickness and in health, 'til death us do part!' And then he only goes and does it. The perfect day!

With VIP private balloon rides on offer at reasonable prices (given the service and memorable experience on offer - weather permitting) it is no wonder that balloon rides are becoming a more an more popular destination to pop the question. It hasn't yet become cliched, is more original an idea than going to Paris (zzzzzz), there are no French people present, unless you're really unlucky and get a French pilot, in which case he will probably attempt to steal the love of your life away from you, and it really will be a memorable experience, whether she says 'yes' or breaks your heart!

So there are many reasons why proposing amongst the clouds is a great idea and an ever increasingly popular one. As long as you're not air sick that is, and as long as she says 'yes'. Make sure you're onto a dead cert otherwise you may end up throwing yourself out of the basket!