For instance, you could consider fulfilling a dream your partner has to swim with dolphins, and ask the question when you are both in the water with the graceful animals swimming around you. Alternatively, how about a hot air balloon ride over some beautiful scenery such as the Californian vineyards or even an African savannah if you want to go really exotic! The practice of paying a dowry to the family of the bride or the groom, which could include land as well as other types of property, has served throughout the history of marriage to ensure property rights among kinship groups. Rules governing whom one could marry have existed throughout the history of marriage, and religious and civil law have contained restrictions that have limited marriage options, and intermarriage within a kinship group has often been forbidden. Of course, before taking on one of these marriage proposal ideas, make sure you are confident that she will say yes! It could be devastating to you ego to get rejected in such a grand manner. Be Spontaneous Perhaps the best of the marriage proposal ideas is to simply be spontaneous. Carry the ring with you and wait for that moment that just seems right. You will need a blood test for syphilis, performed within thirty days prior to applying for a license by a physician, hospital, clinic or military lab. A mandatory waiting period is five days in the District of Columbia. Marriage laws to permit for common law and cousin marriages but not for same sex or proxy weddings. Upward Trend in Interracial Marriage At one time it was almost unheard of to have an interracial marriage within your neighborhood, never mind your family, but today, the boundaries of the world are shrinking and tolerance of the unknown and the different is – for the most part – increasing as we discover that despite differences in our beliefs and our culture, fundamentally we are all very much alike. However for those that never grew up with it they may not see the importance of having religion in the marriage or even in their life. Make sure you know what type of person you are marrying; if this is a key thing it will become a big issue for the wedding and after. Before getting married many may have a different view on the type of wedding ceremony you have.