19 Feb 2024

Brits say 'I Do' to women popping the big question this Leap Day

  • Girl power! 11 million adult Brits say it’s time to abolish the antiquated tradition of men proposing to women
  • And nearly one in five women in serious relationships admit to having thought about getting down on one knee and proposing to their male partners on February 29th
  • Proposal do’s and don’ts also revealed – Brits are eschewing ostentatious TikTok trends like ‘carpets of candles’ and pet ringbearers in favour of privacy and stunning locations
  • Surprisingly, Gen Z’ers are the only age group stuck in the past when it comes to proposal etiquette - two thirds (62%) say partners should seek the bride’s father’s permission before the asking the big question
  • To celebrate those women who plan to take advantage of the age-old tradition of women proposing to men this leap year, Up at The O2 is offering three lucky couples a free 'Proposal Package' on their world-famous rooftop

 

When it comes to proposals, forget about the image of a man with a big ring, surrounded by a thousand rose petals, dropping to one knee and popping the question. According to new research published by Up at The O2, 11 million Brits say it’s time to abolish the antiquated tradition of men proposing to women.

 

Commissioned ahead of Leap Day (February 29th) - a calendar date that comes round just once every four years - the data shows that nearly one in five women in committed relationships have thought about taking the lead and proposing to their male partners this year.

 

And it’s for this reason that Up at The O2 is giving the girls a helping hand by launching a unique 'Proposal Package'. Three lucky women who plan to propose to their partners (male or female) have the chance to win the Proposal Package for FREE this Leap Day. This includes a private 90-minute guided climb for two people, a glass of bubbly each on the roof, and a digital photo package to capture the special moment in front of the picturesque London skyline.*

 

In the great hierarchy of perfect proposals, privacy and the element of surprise top the list – along with an epic or unique location - which with 18% of the vote, was far more important than the ring (11%).

 

The top six most important elements of the perfect proposal were:

1.  A sense of privacy (51%)

2. The surprise element (46%)

3. Champagne or something similar on hand to celebrate (18%)

3. An epic, unique and photogenic location (18%)

5. Capturing the moment on camera for friends & family (16%)

6. Personal touch such as a favourite song playing (15%)

 

Surprisingly, it’s Gen Z who think traditional proposal traditions should be adhered to. 63% say they think the man should ask for the bride’s father’s permission, 81% think the person proposing should go down on one knee, and 81% say the person proposing should also choose the ring. In fact, only 35% of Gen Zs had heard about the tradition that on Leap Day, women traditionally propose to men.

 

For those who are in the know on Leap Day traditions and want to win one of three 'Proposal Package' climbs for FREE on Thursday 29th February, click here. These private climbs will take place at 6:00pm, 6:15pm and 6:30pm.

 

Located just 15 minutes from central London, Up at The O2 is the ultimate climbing experience over the roof of the world's most famous live entertainment, leisure, and retail destination. With a range of climb types available to book, including Daytime, Twilight and Sunset, the 'Proposal Package' will also be available to book all year round from March onwards from £650, regardless of who will be popping the question. To book a Proposal Package, please contact the team directly at events@upattheo2.co.uk. To book all other climb types, please visit the website here.

 

 

* The 'Proposal Package' climbs available to win on Thursday 29th February will take place at 6pm, 6:15pm and 6:30pm, with climbers required to arrive 15 mins ahead of their allotted timeslot. All entrants must be available on the specified date and times. The competition closes at midnight on Sunday 25th February, and the winners will be randomly selected and contacted on the morning of Monday 26th February. Please see the website for further terms and conditions.