yonge dundas propsal

Toronto man rents out Yonge-Dundas Square billboards for heart-melting proposal

Today in sweet and tender tales of romantic love, a local boyfriend-turned-fiancee recently took advantage of the bright lights in Toronto's version of Times Square to ask his partner for her hand in marriage — and the swoon-worthy proposal was all captured on camera.

Mani Farhoomand, 41, and Ainur Pazyl, 30, had already been talking about marriage after a blissful six months of living together, but Pazyl was still surprised when her beau popped the question on Tuesday.

yonge dundas proposal

Data analyst Ainur Pazyl said yes to her now-fiancee's sweet proposal in Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square. Photo via @margs_k on Instagram.

"She thought we were going to a party, and I think she was pleasantly surprised and very delighted to find out that the party was for her," Farhoomand tells blogTO.

"Ainur knew for some time that I was going to propose to her soon, but she didn't know when and how."

Neither did Farhoomand when he started the planning process — he just knew that he wanted a memorable proposal, something "more about passion, love and creativity than a big budget."

Being that the couple had their first date at Yonge-Dundas Square and that they frequent the area for movie nights, Farhoomand, who works in advertising, was inspired to inquire about renting out digital billboards there as part of his grand gesture.

The resultant proposal included not photos of the happy couple blasted in bright lights for all to see, but a private violinist and the full-on paparazzi treatment.

"It was a difficult process to pull it off with the surprise element intact," he told blogTO, noting that the billboard rental wasn't excessively expensive due to the fact that it was only a few boards in the busy square, not all of them.

He also revealed that the date of the proposal had special significance, as it's the anniversary of when he first met Pazyl, a data analyst.

Instagram Stories dispatches from the couple and their friends show that the night carried on after the proposal (which was obviously successful) with a limo ride, a swanky party, champagne and an engagement cake fancier than what you'll see at most urban weddings lately.

yonge dundas proposal

In addition to a custom sign reading 'will you marry me?', images of the couple together played high above downtown Toronto in bright lights for everyone to enjoy. Image via @rivandi on Instagram.

"I want all the guys out there to know that persistence pays off," said Farhoomand when asked what advice he'd give to others in his situation.

"Don't let your ego get in the way of showing the girl you want how much you want her, value her and love her."

It's not hard to see why she said yes.

Lead photo by

Sehran Hasanli


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

The former landmark HMV store on Yonge St. is getting a new tenant

Canadian Dental Care Plan expands to cover more services

Ontario drivers are so bad at using one road feature that police keep having to explain it

Abandoned century-old bridge in Toronto is finally being demolished

Several people injured in high-speed TTC crash overnight

Toronto neighbours build ghostly marriage proposal for Halloween

Upcoming job fairs where you can look for work in Toronto

Multiple Canadian companies just ranked among the world's best employers for women