Ready to pop the question, but finding the usual customs to confining? Here are a few options to set your proposal apart:

Pick a deliciously nerdy ring, or have one designed for you. Mental Floss made a list of geeky engagement rings that goes to eleven. 

Have a flare for theatrical direction? Consider a flash mob proposal. This is an idea that a surprising number of people have deployed. Boston.com assembled a gallery of 10 of the most terrifically orchestrated flash mob proposals. I'm pretty tickled by the Bollywood proposal.

Recreate a special moment. One former barista duplicated the coffee shop where he and his beloved met in the middle of the woods so they could get a little extra privacy for their special date. 

More into zany fun? How about delivering the ring using a remote control helicopter? Careful if you decide to emulate this one: the one time my husband flew his RC copter near me, it got caught in my hair! That hurt, but I was even more bummed that the helicopter never flew well again.

And, for the technologically advanced geek: one guy hacked his girlfriend’s favorite video game to add scenes from the couple’s history and to ask for her hand at the end of the game.

Photo: Eric IE