Posted by Shira Savada, Real Weddings Editor
Our new Spring 2009 issue features the lovely wedding of Priya and Ralph. Mentioned in the article is the darling story of Ralph's proposal. I thought I'd get Priya to tell the longer version, so here it is, in her own words. Get ready to "awww," folks...
Ralph and I had been dating for about two years when we planned a vacation to the Caribbean. We had discussed marriage about six months before our vacation, so I knew that a proposal was coming my way eventually. As soon as we planned our trip, I started thinking that Ralph may propose while we were away. I tried not to get too carried away with the idea, but anytime I spoke to a friend or family member, they'd all say something along the lines of “Oooh, this it. He's going to ask you to marry him while you're away on vacation—how romantic!” So it was hard not to get a little caught up in that idea.
We did go on our gorgeous and relaxing holiday for a week, but to my surprise there was no proposal. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I rationalized it by thinking he may have been saving it for Valentine’s Day, or for my birthday. A week after we returned, I was looking at some earrings at one of my favorite jewelry stores, Jeri Cohen Jewelry. I tried on several beautiful pairs, but I thought it best to save my money after spending so much while we were away. A few days later, Jeri called me at work to say she was having a huge sale and that the earrings I was lusting over were part of that sale. She said she would put them aside for me until that evening so I could see them after work.
Later that day, I made my way up to Jeri’s store. To my surprise, Ralph was standing outside. I didn’t have much time to think about why he was there because as soon as he saw me, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to the front of the store’s main window and said, “Look at these earrings—aren’t they beautiful?” I looked into the window and my heart skipped a beat. Make that two beats. The window had been cleared of all jewelry; instead it was filled with red roses and a sign that read “Priya, will you marry me?” In front of the sign was the most beautiful engagement ring I could have imagined. I can’t adequately describe the emotions that washed over me in that instant.
I was simultaneously stunned, amazed, speechless, happy, and emotional. I was so busy trying to process what had just happened that I didn’t even realize that Ralph was on bended knee next to me! Of course, I dissolved into tears and happily accepted. Ralph led me into the store where Jeri and her team (Ralph’s co-conspirators!) were waiting with champagne to celebrate with us. The proposal is one of my sweetest memories. It was charming and caught me by surprise, just like Ralph did when we first met.
The beautiful ring on Priya. Ralph's band is by DeBeers. Above image courtesy of Dan Loh.
cakes, menus, etc., saying your vows in front of the people you love is
really what it's all about.”
Ralph said his favorite wedding moment was their first dance (to Aaliyah’s “At Your Best, You are Love”). He liked the transition from the seriousness and emotion of the wedding ceremony to the joy and festivity of the reception. In particular, he loved when they were first presented as husband and wife and entered the reception together in front of all of her loved ones.
Do any of you have sweet proposal stories you'd like to share with us? I'd love to hear them.
From: Jess Hickey | 4/16/09 at 9:49 am
Bob unknowingly started planning ‘the proposal’ end of August 2007, when he booked a cruise for Jess and himself to go around Italy. The initial plan was to go to Europe and travel around with some of the extra cash he made during his internship. However, it would be cheaper to go on a cruise, especially since Jess’ uncle (Robby, Cruise Ship Centres, Whitby) could get him a deal. So when the time was getting closer to the cruise, clearly some people were getting suspicious of the “proposal” idea and kept bugging Bob about it. But Jess kept to her guns and said “Nope, I have no money so Bob has to pay for my portion of the trip, and he knows I’d expect an expensive ring so I really don’t think he’s going to.” Now to the gushy parts…
Jess and Bob arrived in Rome around 2:00 after a sleepless red-eye, but decided to take advantage of the city even through the exhaustion. They walked around, starting from the very cute hotel, Welcome Home, just a block away from “Termini.” First they went to the Spanish Steps and meandered down, and wandered around until they found Trevi Fountain. It was really busy, but very beautiful. At this point, they were both hungry and decided to find a cute restaurant nearby. A few blocks away was “That’s Amore” a very sweet Italian restaurant. The ambiance here was darling, but the music was a horrible CD compilation of various disco artists. Jess and Bob loaded up on food and wine, but Bob didn’t want to propose and have visions of the “YMCA” every time Jess thought of her ring. They next got some very expensive gelatos (€11=$18) and walked through the rest of Rome, finally heading towards the Coliseum. Bob was trying to find a place to propose, but due to the massive crowds, he couldn’t find a quiet little corner. Jess was also starting to feel the effects Jet-lag and pestered Bob to go back to the Hotel. Once back and slightly recuperated, Jess flopped on the bed and Bob flopped down next to her (sorry, no bended-knee) and said something along the lines of “I’m really glad you came on this trip with me, and I have something for you” at which point he grabbed the ring box out of his pocket. Jess nor Bob remember what he actually said, hopefully something like “would you be with me forever” or “will you marry me” or something else, but it was a ‘blur moment’ (not to sound like Oprah) and very romantic none-the-less.