When I shared my engagement news a few weeks ago there were several requests for the details. It's taken me a little while (being engaged is rather time-consuming!) but here you go for anyone who is interested.
A few weeks ago I was in Fiji with my family celebrating dad's 60th Birthday. I was away for 6 nights and got back on a Saturday night. That night was also the night of my friend Sarah's Birthday celebrations which kicked off earlier that day. I raced home from the airport to dump my bags and then raced out to meet everyone (Will included) for Sarah's Birthday dinner.
We went home at about 10.30 (I was getting a bit sleepy considering it was 12.30 Fiji time) and standing in the kitchen, I went from Claire to engaged wife-to-be (yes there was knee and lovely words and me crying pathetically with happy tears!). He tells me he'd been trying to come up with the perfect proposal for weeks but after advice from his very wise mother to keep it simple, he decided to do it when it felt right. To me it couldn't have been more perfect. I was caught completely by surprise, it was in our home and in my favourite place... the kitchen! Now for the ring...
I haven't stopped looking at my hand since that night and I'm told by my married friends that you never stop looking at it!
One thing I didn't realise was just how quickly you have to get into the planning. I have developed a slight addiction to bridal magazines (and wedding blogs!) but luckily the $15 + price tag on most of them has kept my collection contained. My friend Sarah gave me a gorgeous little planning book with sections for every detail and my sister made us a fantastic spreadsheet that is already proving very useful for budget planning and guest list creating so we're very organised.
As you can see I wasted no time in reading all the magazines. There are just so many pretty things in them. The challenge now is working out what we will have, because as someone once wisely said 'you can't have it all.' A wedding with all the little details that I've found in the last few weeks would be a little crazy!
So there you go, the story of our engagement. Please feel free to share any wedding planning, wedding lead-up or engagement tips or advice with me. I'm all ears.
Lisa says
Congratulations! Your ring is gorgeous.
I'm in the final stages of planning my wedding in October in Bris.
I've found that the Wedding Style Guide magazines and blogs have been the most helpful. Some of those bridal mags are a bit scary. One article suggested that the groom consider boxtox under his arms if he sweats a lot! LOL!
Etsy has also been great for little things and the girls at Karen Willis Holmes in Paddington have been fantastic to deal with. Hope your planning goes well. It comes around so quickly, so make sure you enjoy it. Lisa
Claire says
Thanks for all the tips Lisa. I suggested that to my man but he wasn't to keen on the idea. I can't believe they actually wrote that!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Great story! It's true, you never stop looking at your ring, or at least I don't! I still look at it and smile :) Your ring really is stunning.
Claire says
That seems to be the consensus (she says glancing at her ring). Thanks Lorraine!
Nic@diningwithastud says
Haha I did the exact same thing and started putting mine in an art folder - kind of like a mood board :) lol. Congrats again Claire!!!
Claire says
Thanks Nic!
celia says
Congratulations Claire! Lovely story, and what a rock! :)
Claire says
Thanks Celia. He did well didn't he!
Clarkie @ Beloved Green says
How fantastic! Just enjoy it all, at first it is very overwhelming, but relax and take it all in.
Claire says
Thank you!