Every great long-term relationship is built on wonderful memories - these are especially important for women.

For a woman, that electric first date, sensual first kiss, magical wedding day and memorable honeymoon all form the tapestry of a happy and loving life together.

Just as important as the fact of getting married is HOW she is asked. She wants to be able to tell her friends, family and your children and grandchildren about the incredibly romantic way that you proposed to her.

You are planning a creative, ingenious and unforgettably romantic marriage proposal right? If you aren't, there could be trouble ahead.

*Women place a very high value on a great proposal and the man who makes such a proposal.*

Don't worry, you may not be in the doghouse - Yet! You see, I've spent a good part of the last few years researching brilliantly romantic wedding proposals from all over the world.

And, best of all, most of the 101 that I have condensed down for you (choosing only the most incredible) do NOT require extravagant sums of money to stage.

I'd love to tell about these imaginative proposals that involve props from X-rays to Band-Aids, hay to plywood and loads of other intriguingly inventive proposals.

I've even had a female reader write to me recently telling me how she cried after reading every proposal story covered in my collection.

That's exactly the kind of reaction you want: tears. Tears of joy. Anything less could be catastrophic for the long term future of your relationship.

The thing that most guys don't get - and hopefully you do - is that virtually all women begin to fantasise about their wedding day in their early teens. And the proposal is a huge part of every woman's fantasy of the perfect wedding.

So don't blow it and make sure that she raves about your proposal for the rest of her life.