Upsizing the proposal, by Jan Uebelherr

It's part of the story of you -- or rather, the "us" that becomes offical once a proposal of marriage is made.

The tale of the proposal will be told and retold as years go by. You want to have a good story to tell.

At least that's how a lot of people see it. Women people, especially.

"It's often something you've dreamed about. Movies and things have really set the bar high.

Women especially have a high expectation of what it needs to be like," says Lisa Daily, author of a dating bok called "Stop Getting Dumped! All You Need to Know to Make Men Fall Madly in Love with You and Marry "The One'in Three Years Or Less". (Penguin/Putnam paperback)

Once upon a time, the story of a couple began with a simple announcement: "We're engaged!"

Details were unspectacular: "we had dinner - our favorite place. He gave me the ring." (Followed by display of sparkly diamond.)

"A long time ago, it was about two families coming together and saying, 'What's the economic benefit here?' Women didn't even need to be there," says Carol bruess, co-author of a new series of books called "What Happy Couples Do."

But today, proposals are taking on the epic proportions of the wedding - which has now reached extravaganza status (average cost of a wedding is $27,852 - up nearly 100% since 1990, according to a survey by the Conde Nast Bridal Group.

The to-do list for a proposal can sound an awful like the wedding: Limousine, flowers, food, champagne, musicians. Sometimes even a photographer.

Maybe it's because today's proposal must cover a lot of ground. It must involve creativity, romance and "a little terror on the part of the guy," says Daily. (But not too much.)

Above all, a good proposal is all about the couple. A bad proposal?

"Almost anything involving a Jumbo-tron," Daily says, and she's not kidding.

The bride-to-be rarely finds this approach appealing, she says.

Bruess sees the epic proposal as a natural outgrowth of the behemoth wedding.

"This would be the next step - kick it off with the most fabulous proposal that anyone's heard of," she says. "Extend it on the front end."

Interfaith minister Laurie Sue Brockway, who sometimes includes proposal stories in wedding ceremonies, has heard quite a few tales.

"Grooms arrange billboards, Times Square extravaganzas, proposals while on exotic locations . . . There are horses and buggy rides, dolphin swims, underwater diving and airplanes involved," says Brockway, author of "Wedding Goddess: A Divine Guide to Transforming Wedding Stress to Wedding Bliss".

It all becomes "part of a couple's personal mythology . . . It is the story that becomes the foundation."

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We want to hear your stories.

So tell us, do you have a dream proposal for Mr. Right?

How long did you wait for the proposal?

How did he pop the question to you?

And did you say "YES"?

The first of wedding traditions, the circular shape of the wedding rings that symbolizes never-ending love. This is to be on the third finger of the left hand that runs directly to the heart. It is not about the cost of the rings!

Wedding myths and good luck charms:

Everyone will hope for good fortune, but some also take that step to ensure that luck is smiling down on them for their wedding, and here are just some.

According to Greek culture, tuck a sugar cube into your glove on your wedding. The sugar will sweeten your union.

English tradition says that Wednesday is the best day to marry. Monday is for wealth and Tuedays is for health.

The groom carries his newly betrothed across the threshold to protect her from evil spirits.

Hindu tradition says rain on your wedding day is good luck.

For good luck, Egyptian women are known to pinch the bride on her wedding day.

In Holland, a pine tree is planted outside of the newlyweds home for good luck and fertility.

Ancient Greeks and Romans said a wedding veil protected the bride from evil spirts. It has been a tradition to wear a veil ever since.

The term "tie the knot" comes from Roman times when the bride wore a girdle tied in knots tat the groom was later able to untie. Some also believe it refers to the knots of rope that were tied to form the marriage bed.

Old traditions may be just that today, but they can still bring fun and hope into a new couples life