Planning to pop the question? You could win your dream proposal.

Posted on 15 February, 2020

Planning to pop the question? You could win your dream proposal, thanks to the National Portrait Gallery and their upcoming blockbuster exhibition Love Stories.

Apparently there’s an old Irish tradition known as Bachelor’s Day where, every leap year on 29 February, a woman was allowed (yes, ‘allowed’) to propose to a man if she was sick of waiting.

Similar traditions then popped up around the world, with some countries like Scotland embedding in law that if the man declined, he’d have to pay a fine in the form of anything from a kiss to buying her 12 pairs of gloves (to cover up the ‘shame’ of not being married).

Of course, confirmation of these traditions are a little sketchy, but the point is, we thankfully live in a time where we have marriage equality, and hope that we can reframe this day as a fun tradition for anyone asking anyone for their hand. Match-elor’s Day, perhaps?

If you’re thinking of popping the question this year, have we got a proposal for you! To celebrate the launch of the National Portrait Gallery’s upcoming blockbuster exhibition Love Stories, we’re giving one very lucky person the chance to pop the question to their significant other on 29 February in a proposal that will become a love story for the ages.

Love Stories is an exhibition that sheds a light on romantic love in all its shapes and forms, drawing on different aspects of love—from the forbidden, the tragic and the controversial to the celebrated and the all-consuming.

At the heart of the exhibition is a series of real-life love stories—why not add your own story to those which will soon reside in the Gallery?

Our winner will not only have the chance to pop the question in a unique and unforgettable spot, but also an exclusive before-hours private highlights tour, an intimate moment to propose in the beautiful Gallery building, a portrait session with a professional photographer, a champagne breakfast onsite at Portrait cafe, a night’s accommodation at MIDNIGHT Hotel in Braddon plus tickets to the opening night of Love Stories!

HOW TO ENTER

Sound engaging? Simply tell us your love story in 100 words or a one-minute video and send your entry—along with your full name, age, email address, phone number and social handles—to lovestories@npg.gov.au by 11:59 pm on Sunday 23 February.

Love Stories will be officially launched in Australia in June before an international tour. Tickets will go on sale on 14 February at portrait.gov.au

This promotion is brought to you in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery.