Back in the day, it didn't matter where you proposed. The point was, he or she said yes. But lately, how you pop the question is just as important as where you're getting married. People swap stories, trying to one-up each other with elaborate scavenger hunts and other proposals that took months to plan. These three ways to propose aren't quite that complicated, but they are very Baltimore-centric. Try one -- and good luck!

At sea

Call ahead and arrange a private charter with the Water Taxi to take you out into the middle of the Inner Harbor at dusk. Propose there, under the light of the Domino Sugar sign, with the Aquarium, Federal Hill Park and Baltimore skyline all around you.

On stage

Smyth Jewelers in Timonium has an arrangement with the historic Hippodrome Theatre that lets you propose at a show. You lead your would-be bride to one of the side boxes. Suddenly, there's a spotlight on you, a microphone in your hand and a question for the asking.

In good time

Federal Hill (the actual hill) is a really popular Baltimore place to propose, but one of the lesser-known spots is atop the Bromo Seltzer Tower. Arrange a private tour and ask the big question in the larger-than-life clock room. There, time is on your side.

--By Sam Sessa