Some of the best scenes in television history are when couples propose to one another. Often reserved for a season finale, the scenes are emotional, heartfelt, and perfect. Some couples have a long history together and it’s a joy to watch them finally get engaged.
Proposal scenes come in all shapes and forms. Some are extravagant affairs, like Chandler and Monica's on Friends, while others are sweet and simple. It’s difficult to pick the best of the best proposal scenes, but some are more swoon-worthy than others. Take a look at 10 of the sweetest, most romantic TV show proposals of all time. Spoiler alert: They said yes!
Lady Mary & Matthew – Downton Abbey
In Downton Abbey's season two finale “Christmas at Downton Abbey,” it seemed the stars would finally align for Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens). The couple came from different backgrounds, and the two even become engaged to other people prior to their proposal. However, it’s obvious Lady Mary and Matthew are meant for each other.
On that fateful night, it’s Christmas and Matthew decides to propose outside with the twinkling stars and falling snow. He tells her, “You’ve lived your life. And I’ve lived mine. And now it’s time we live them together.” How could she say no to that?
Robert & Amy – Everybody Loves Raymond
Robert Barone (Brad Garrett) and Amy MacDougall (Monica Horan) have a very long, complicated relationship throughout Everybody Loves Raymond. Robert is sometimes afraid of making a commitment.
In the season seven episode “Just a Formality,” Robert decides it’s finally time to propose to Amy. He hatches a plan with his fellow NYPD police officers to make it seem like Amy is getting arrested. An officer asks, “Alright, who’s gonna cuff her?” That’s when Robert emerges and gets down on one knee, leaving Amy speechless. He says, “I’m ready to be happy.”
Chuck & Blair – Gossip Girl
Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) and Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) always brought out the best in each other on Gossip Girl. During the show’s series finale, the couple finds themselves in trouble when they were “people of interest” in Chuck’s father’s death.
Chuck’s uncle suggests the two get married so she wouldn’t have to testify against him. Chuck decides to give Blair a proper proposal, down on one knee and everything. He tells her, “Life with you could never be boring.” She tearfully says yes, and they get married in the same episode.
Michael & Holly – The Office
Jim and Pam might have had a memorable proposal on The Office, but Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) takes the cake in the season seven episode “Garage Sale” with an elaborate proposal to his girlfriend, Holly Flax (Amy Ryan). Michael is hilarious and sarcastic all the time, but he was completely serious and romantic during the proposal.
He has the entire Dunder Mifflin staff participate in the proposal. He takes Holly on a walk around the office, leading to her desk that’s surrounded by dozens of candles. He says, “This is where I fell in love with you. And this is where I ask you to marry me.”
Leslie & Ben – Parks And Recreation
During the fifth season of Parks and Recreation, it seems Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) will have to give up on their “happily ever after” when Ben is offered another job. When Leslie goes back to the home they just purchased together, Ben arrives and surprises Leslie by getting down on one knee.
Before he can even ask her the question, Leslie stops him. She says, “I just need to remember every little thing about how perfect my life is, right now, at this exact moment.” The two are so happy and viewers couldn’t have been more thrilled for them.
Charlotte & Harry – Sex And The City
Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) had just broken up with Harry Goldenblatt (Evan Handler) when she realized she made a huge mistake. After all, she loved him and even converted to Judaism for him.
In the season six episode “Hop, Skip, and a Week,” Charlotte and Harry bump into each other at a synagogue singles’ night. She confesses her feelings and he’s touched by her speech. He surprises her by getting down on one knee and proposing. That doesn’t happen too often at a singles’ night.
Cory & Topanga – Boy Meets World
High school sweethearts don’t get any more adorable than Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel) on Boy Meets World. They’re perfect for each other, but it seemed their relationship would end after high school when Topanga would go to Yale University.
However, in season five finale, Topanga surprises Cory at graduation by telling him she’s going to join him at Pennbrook University. She surprises him again when she proposes while their classmates are cheering for their graduation. Cory is stunned and viewers had to wait four months to find out his answer.
Meredith & Derek – Grey’s Anatomy
Since the beginning of Grey’s Anatomy, it was obvious Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) belonged with Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). In the season five episode “Elevator Love Letter,” Derek plans an elaborate elevator proposal with CT scans of surgeries they performed together.
Derek finally says, “I’m not going to get down on one knee. I’m not going to ask a question. I love you, Meredith Grey, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Meredith happily says yes, and they kiss in the elevator. Swoon.
Barney & Robin – How I Met Your Mother
Throughout the seasons of How I Met Your Mother, Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) is a ladies’ man. But that changed during the show’s eighth season when he becomes interested in his friend, Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders).
In the two-part episode “The Final Page,” Barney devises a play, called “The Robin,” in his infamous “playbook.” He spends weeks trying to convince Robin that he’s not interested in her to throw her off track. Everything leads to a scene on the rooftop where Robin finds the play. She’s confused and he says, “Turn it over.” On the back, Barney wrote, “Step 16: Hope she says yes.” This is one of the most creative, ingenious proposals to this date.
Monica & Chandler – Friends
The relationship between Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) and Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) on Friends is perfect. In the two-part season six finale, “The One with the Proposal,” Chandler is finally ready to take the next step and propose.
There are several bumps along the way, including Monica’s ex-boyfriend, Richard (Tom Selleck). Chandler thinks he blew his chance when he walks into their apartment and finds Monica, surrounded by candles. She starts to propose and then Chandler finishes the job. He tells her, “You make me happier than I ever thought I could be. And if you let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way.” Could the proposal BE any cuter?