Women love men who cook, even if they just pack a picnic and put it in a basket. Now is the time to impress your love with an intimate picnic for two at one of Seattle's waterfront parks. We love the arboretum! Your can rent a canoe at the UW Activities Center and then follow the ducks out across Montlake Cut to find just the spot for your romantic summer supper.
Show off your culinary style by picking up delicious sandwiches from Capitol Hill's Baguette Box. Try their Grilled Lemon Grass Skirt Steak or Crispy Drunken Chicken baguettes, accompanied by Red Potato Salad with Stone Ground Mustard Aioli, or Green Bean Salad with Danish Blue Cheese. For the complete gourmet experience, shop at the University Village Pasta & Co. Try a French roasted chicken with roasted summer vegetables, and a delicious Bio Blue salad. Finish off with Chocolate Truffle Cookies and Velvet Lemon Cake. If now's the time, tuck a pretty box with a glittering engagement ring into the bottom of your basket and youll have packed a picnic she will never forget!

Ready to buy the ring? Need a little help? We asked Emerson Robbins of E.E. Robbins, The Engagement Ring Store, to tell us the top 5 most important things to know when buying a diamond engagement ring. Here's what he had to say

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As they smiled for the camera, the photographer told them that the story was going to be about proposals, and asked if Josh would mind getting down on one knee? Would he mind pretending to propose? Would he mind using this ring he just happened to have with him? Just to get a great test shot to show his editor of course! As the photographer walked over and handed Josh a ring, a real sparkling diamond ring, Cairi began to get the picture. Already down on bended knee, Josh professed his love and asked Cairi to be his wife, and all the while the mystery photographer (an old friend of Joshs from high school) snapped happily away. Married three years this summer, Josh and Cairi have a fantastic proposal story to tell, and they even have pictures to go with it!

I'm ready to ask my best friend to be my best man, but what am I supposed to ask him to do?
Your best man will act as your right hand man throughout your wedding planning. He may get in the game as early as the bachelor party and then keep involved right on through to your departure from your reception. His duties can be fairly easy to manage to pretty complex depending on the scope of your wedding, so choose someone who will welcome not only the sentiment but the responsibility as well.
At a minimum your best man will work with you throughout your wedding day to be sure you're where you need to be, and that you have everything you need to get married; your tux in order complete with boutonniere, the rings in place, the checks made out, and transportation covered to and from your ceremony and reception site. He will walk the maid of honor down the aisle and sign as a witness on your marriage license.
He will also deliver the first toast, hopefully sharing lots of good wishes and very little or no embarrassing details, like how many girlfriends you've had or how much beer you drank during college. Being best man is a big job, so get him something cool to show your thanks.

So, what would be cool to buy for my best man and groomsmen?
Giving gifts to your Groomsmen is a fun way to thank them for all the time they put into being a part of your wedding, not to mention your life. The gifts don't need to be extravagant, but they should be full of personality and something you know they'll enjoy. Are your buddies smooth dressers? Get them Vintage Typewriter Key Cufflinks from Barneys New York. Do they really, really love their iPods? Then theyll really, really love the Specktone Retro Tabletop Stereo Speaker System. Are they attached to the barbeque all summer long? Feed their addiction with the Blue Smoke BBQ and Shiraz Combo from The Grateful Palate. Get creative and they'll love whatever you choose!

How soon should I start planning my honeymoon?
The best places to travel and stay are highly sought after and need to be reserved way in advance. We suggest that you begin researching your honeymoon choices as soon as she says yes. Remember that you can make a reservation at most places without losing your deposit should you cancel with plenty of notice, so if you run into trouble making your decision you can make more than one reservation.
Be sure to check out the policies regarding this with each reservations desk.

If you're thinking of a spectacular honeymoon within driving distance of Seattle, then you've got to be thinking of Whistler. Its three hours from Seattle to Vancouver B.C and then another two hours along the Sea to Sky Highway, one of the most scenic roads in North America. You'll find world class dining and shopping in this gorgeous mountain village and all the outdoor activities you crave, including pristine ski and snow boarding runs for all levels of experience that reach up to 7 miles long!