Proposal at Sushi Samba London
Heart-shaped balloons, thousands of rose petals, and one very important question
When someone contacts you about designing their proposal, the brief is simple: make it perfect. No second chances, no do-overs. Just one moment that needs to be exactly right.
This particular client wanted to propose at Sushi Samba London. The private room gave us the opportunity to work in a unique space where we could be ambitious.
The Brief
Romantic, but not clichéd. Dramatic, but intimate. Red roses featured heavily in the vision, which makes sense. When you're asking someone to marry you, subtlety isn't really the goal: Make this single moment perfect.
The Room
The room itself helped. Sushi Samba's private spaces have a contemporary edge, with bold architecture that can support equally bold design. The challenge wasn't working with the venue; it was ensuring our installation matched its energy.
What We Installed
The "Be Mine" Display
We crafted custom illuminated letters spelling out the question. Large-scale, properly lit, impossible to miss. We positioned them as the focal point, the first thing she'd see when entering the room.
The letters needed to be substantial because the room is substantial. Small signage would have looked apologetic. This needed to feel confident.
Rose Petal Coverage
Hundreds of fresh red rose petals covered the floor to create a pathway leading to where he'd be standing.
Working with fresh petals can be tricky. They bruise easily, need to be installed just before the event, and require the right number to create a meaningful impact. Our floral design experts ensured we had enough deep-red rose petals in perfect condition.
Heart-Shaped Balloon Installations
Red metallic heart balloons were anchored around the space. We positioned them in clusters rather than evenly distributed because clusters photograph better and create more visual interest.
The heart-shaped balloons needed proper weighting because the room has air circulation. Nothing ruins a romantic moment like balloons randomly drifting mid-proposal.
Candlelight
We used pillar candles in clear glass vessels. We lined the petal pathway and positioned them along the perimeter, creating ambient lighting that complements the room's existing atmosphere.
The Table Setting
Simple black table linen, red napkins, dark red roses in a silver vessel. We kept the table understated because everything else in the room was making statements. The table was where they'd sit after, not the main event.
Technical Considerations
Timing
The installation needed to happen whilst the restaurant was operational. We coordinated with Sushi Samba's team to work during a quiet period, installing everything a few hours before the scheduled arrival.
Rose petals were the last thing installed. Our team gave the final touch about 30 minutes before the couple arrived.
The Big Question
The illuminated "Be Mine Eshu" lettering required careful positioning. Too high and it would look disconnected from the space. Too low, and the sightlines wouldn't work.
We tested the positioning before installation day, measuring how the letters would photograph from different angles in the room. The proposal would be photographed, so everything needed to work three-dimensionally and two-dimensionally.
Managing the Space
Sushi Samba's private room has that dramatic ceiling detail and architectural lighting. Our installation needed to complement these existing features rather than compete.
The heart balloons were positioned to frame the space without blocking those ceiling elements. The candlelight added warmth without overwhelming the room's contemporary feel.
The Intimacy of a Private Room
Restaurant proposals in the main dining area are one thing. Private room proposals are entirely different.
With a private space, you can be properly ambitious. Full floor coverage with rose petals. Large-scale illuminated lettering. Balloon installations. Things that would be disruptive or impractical in a public dining space become possible.
You're also not performing for strangers. The moment stays intimate even though the design is dramatic.
The Result
When she walked into the room, her reaction was everything. The illuminated lettering caught her immediately. The rose petal pathway led to where he stood. The heart balloons framed the entire scene. The warm candlelight made everything feel intimate despite the scale.
He proposed. She said yes. The room delivered what it needed to: a setting that matched the moment's significance.
What Makes Proposal Design Different
Wedding design requires months of planning, multiple vendors, endless details to coordinate. Proposal design has one brief: make this single moment perfect.
The pressure is different. With a wedding, if something's slightly off, you adjust. With a proposal, there's no adjusting. It either works or it doesn't, and you only find out in real-time.
That's why the technical planning matters so much. Testing the sight lines. Confirming the petal quantity. Ensuring the lighting creates the right atmosphere. Getting the timeline exactly right so everything's perfect when you arrive.
If You're Planning a Proposal
Worth considering:
Venue Choice Matters
Private spaces give you options public venues don't. Sushi Samba's private rooms work particularly well because the architecture is already impressive. You're enhancing what's there, not trying to create atmosphere from nothing.
Scale Appropriately
Small gestures in large spaces look lost. If you're working with a luxury venue, the design needs to match that elegance and energy.
Timing Is Everything
Fresh flowers and petals need to be installed close to the actual moment. LED candles should be switched on 15 minutes before arrival. Letters should be tested beforehand, but only turned on right before they enter.
Work With the Venue
Restaurant staff have seen proposals before. They know the timing, the logistics, the things that work and don't work in their specific space. Listen to their advice.
The Sushi Samba Installation
We're grateful to the Sushi Samba London team for working with us on this proposal. The private room gave us the space to create a unique and romantic proposal, whilst their operational team ensured everything ran smoothly on the day.
These one-off moments matter. They're not repeatable, they're not adjustable, they just need to be right. That's what makes proposal design both nerve-wracking and satisfying when it works.