How we got Engaged – Real Brides & Grooms Share their Proposal Stories

Engagement

julia cummins photography

Eimear & David
Photo by Julie Cummins Photography | Wedding date: 18th August 2012

How we got engaged… I was turning 30 and wanted to celebrate in style so David planned a fabulous trip to New York for us. We went to one of the many trendy restaurants in the city for a meal. Then David suggested we go to the Empire State Building to see the city at night so… at the top of the Empire State Building while looking over Central Park David whispered his proposal into my ear. I cried, smiled and whispered back YES, then I cried some more!

See Eimear & David’s Chic Clonabreany House Real Wedding >

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Sean & Kate
Photo by Daniel Griffiths | Wedding date: 16th September 2010

How we got engaged… Sean proposed to me on Christmas four and a half years later (the anniversary of the first day we met). He had booked a late reservation at a restaurant. At the time, I thought it strange that we were the only table left, and even stranger that the staff kept smiling at us. All was explained when the desserts came out, instead of ice cream I had the most beautiful diamond ring. All the staff cheered and raised a glass of bubbly to us. I was totally blown away, even more so when the chef came out and gave us keys to the penthouse suite for the weekend. Just when I thought that it couldn’t get any better, Sean had organised for friends and family to gather for a birthday party for me in the penthouse the next evening. As my birthday falls on Christmas day, I rarely get to celebrate it with everyone. It was just so sweet!

See Sean & Kate’s Chilled out Wedding in Ballintaggart Manor House >

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Melissa & Oliver
Photo by Aileen Kennedy Photography | Wedding date: November 8th, 2012

Our proposal… We got engaged in April 2010 in Coolbawn Quay on Lough Derg. We had headed down for the Easter weekend, and after spending the day in Galway, Ollie sent me to reception to organise a taxi to take us to the nearest pub. I was not impressed as I was tired but when I returned, Ollie, down on one knee, surprised me with a mini engagement ring charm for my Links charm bracelet and a proposal! I was in such shock I didn’t know what was going on, but gathered my thoughts enough to say ‘YES’.

See Melissa & Oliver’s Picture Perfect Wedding in Laois >

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Paul & Annemarie
Photo by Aspect Photography | Wedding date: 28th July 2012

Our proposal… Well after 14 yrs together, you could say we rushed into it! I had planned a romantic Christmas Day proposal, but we were snowed in so I had to delay it until New Years Eve and had to simplify it somewhat by pretending I was too ill to go out and celebrate NYE with our friends. I did it the old fashioned way on bended knee at the stroke of midnight in front of the Fireworks on TV! The good old Moet came in handy. After leaving me on one knee for about ten minutes thinking I was joking, Annie finally stopped laughing and said “Yes”. Happy days!

See Paul & Annemarie’s Shiny Sunflower themed Wedding >

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Noelle & Ross
Photo by Fergus McCarthy | Wedding date: May 11th 2012

Our proposal… While in Amsterdam for New Years with Ross’s sister and her boyfriend, we went to one of the big squares for a few drinks and to see the fireworks.  At midnight he got down on one knee and popped the question. The plan was so elaborate, Ross’s sister Rachel had to wear the engagement ring just incase his bags got searched.

See Ross & Noelle’s Super Fun Wedding on Inish Beg Island >

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Orlaith & Richard
Photo by Couple Photography | Wedding date: 28th September 2012

Our proposal… happened in Australia. We travelled out to Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands by seaplane and Richard popped the famous question! What a gorgeous location and means of transport- I’m hoping he’s started as he means to go on!

See Orlaith & Richard’s Classic Champagne Wedding at Brooklodge >

michelle prunty

Edel & Rory
Photo by Michelle Prunty Photography | Wedding date: 4th August 2012

Our proposal… Rory and I had been dating for nearly seven years when he decided to propose. He had arranged a trip to Thorpe Theme Park in Surrey, England. Knowing that I was afraid of heights and roller coasters it was here he decided to pop the question, his reasoning behind this was so I would not see his nerves as I was too worried about the roller coaster. This worked perfectly; as we sat into the caged car of the roller coaster he opened his hand, presenting a beautiful ring and asked me to marry him. I instantly said yes burst into tears and the ride took off. Well you would not imagine the amount of screaming. First, with excitement and secondly pure fear, the fear of the heights but most importantly the ring on my finger was a little too big and I was afraid of it falling off.

See Edel & Rory’s Breathtaking Wedding at Glasson Country Hotel >

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Gemma & Samuel
Photo by
Adriana Chechi | Wedding date: 4th August 2012

The proposal… Sam phoned my dad to ask for permission to ask for my hand in marriage. The following unconventional proposal took place in a swimming pool in Darwin, it suited us down to the ground!

See Gemma & Samuel’s Divine Destination Wedding in Italy >

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Anna & Colly
Photo byEden Photography | Wedding date: September 2012

Our proposal… we got engaged on a trip to Paris on the edge of the Seine. It was a planned trip so not much of a surprise but still romantic!

See Anna & Colly’s Pretty Pastel Marquee Wedding >

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Sinead & David
Photo by DKPHOTO | Wedding date: 14th July 2012

Our proposal… He planned the proposal for a Friday evening after dinner (that he made me cook!) After a feast of sausage, egg and chips he went to make tea but came back with a ring… I never did get the tea!

See Sinead & David’s Very Cool Dublin City Wedding >

laura faherty photography

Aoife & Daniel
Photo by Laura Faherty Photography | Wedding date: 17the August 2012

Our proposal… was during a surprise trip to Paris. Until we arrived at the airport I thought we were off to Donegal… I still have no idea how he managed to keep it all under wraps!

See Aoife & Daniel’s Stylish Step House Hotel Wedding >

brenda mcguire photography

Marianne & Richard
Photo byBrenda McGuire Photography | Wedding date: 30th March 2012

Our proposal… In late December 2009, Rich surprised me with a romantic night away at the stunning Thornbury Castle near the Cotswolds. It was under the premise of a Christmas treat as we were not spending Christmas together as I was going back to my family in Co.Tyrone. I was astounded at the room that we received, which was so large it had two huge fireplaces and an enormous four poster bed. We popped open the Champagne that was provided and settled down before the huge roaring fire and admired our room. It was then that Rich said he’d like to give me my Christmas card as we wouldn’t see each other on Christmas day. I opened up the card, which read ‘To my fiancé’. I laughed and pointed out that I was his girlfriend, not fiancé. He responded “we will have to do something about that then” before getting down on one knee and presenting a beautiful ring. I shed a few happy tears and completely forgot to say yes!

See Marianne & Richard’s Vintage Wedding at Castle Leslie Estate >

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Fergus & Anna
Photo by  Peter Rowen Weddings | Wedding Date: 15th September 2012

Our proposal… Fergus Proposed on our 7th anniversary – around Christmas time. He hung the ring on the Christmas tree just above my presents.

See Fergus & Anna’s Peachy Wedding at Middleton Park House >

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Christina & Brent
Photo byLisa O’Dwyer Photography | Wedding date: 15th September 2012

Our proposal… Brent took me on a West Caribbean cruise that departed out of New Orleans so we went a few days early to spend some time in the city. We were sitting on a park bench in Jackson Square, directly in front of the St. Louis Cathedral when he got down on one knee and to my complete surprise asked me to marry him… In the ring box was a ring containing his Grandmother Rebecca’s diamond stone from her wedding ring accompanied by two stones that made up the diamond earrings she used to wear. He had it specially made by a family friend (a jeweller) and the sentiment behind it touched my heart. There was a wedding underway in that same park that day and immediately following my ‘YES!’ their band started playing… I pretended that the band was for us. Haha.

See Christina & Brent’s Incredible, Intimate Wedding in Coolcarrigan >

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Feena & Claude-Alain
Photo by Kevin Morris Photography | Wedding date: 15th September 2012

Our proposal… It was our eight year anniversary and we had booked into The Stephouse Hotel in Carlow for the evening and for dinner. Claude Alain had it all planned that he would spell out ‘Will You Marry Me’ in Percy pigs on the bed (I LOVE Percy Pigs, and for those of you who don’t know what they are, go to M&S!) but we got lost on the way down there so he had no time to do it before dinner! So then he just asked me straight out in the room. We had kilos of Percy Pigs to get through for the rest of the week!

See Feena & Claude-Alain’s Chic Wedding at Thomas Prior Hall >

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Siri & Dan
Photo by Eden Photography | Wedding date: Saturday 30th June 2012

Our proposal… We lived in Norway and owned a cabin in the mountains. In late September we spent a weekend up there. After we had our dinner, Dan suggested we go up onto the roof of our mountain cabin to view the beautiful mountain range on the other side of the valley lit up by the full moon and the stars. It was a freezing night, and we got all wrapped up in winter coats before going outside. When I came up the ladder onto the roof, Dan had blankets, champagne and the ring there.

See Siri & Dan’s Romantic Wedding at Ballymagarvey Village >

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Caitríona & Alan
Photo by Claire Durkin Photography | Wedding date: May 4th 2012

Our proposal… The proposal was in small town called Ménèrbes in Provence in the South of France. It was a place Caitríona had travelled to learn French when she was 11 years old. We hired bikes for the day and sat down later that evening on for a picnic. After a bite to eat and a few generous schlugs of wine I finally managed to fumble out those few important words… and Caitríona said yes.

See Caitríona & Alan’s Sweet Wedding in Galway >

insight photography

Adrienne & Adam
Photo by Insight Photography | Wedding date: 16th November 2012

Our proposal… We live in Dublin but are both from Cork. Adam was at home in Cork the week before Christmas 2011. On Wednesday, the day I was finishing work for the holidays, he rang to say he would be back up to Dublin for a meeting and suggested we go for dinner that night. To be honest, an engagement was on the cards but I was convinced it would take place over Christmas or the New Year down at home and certainly wasn’t expecting a proposal midweek in Dublin! On the walk to the restaurant I noticed he was pretty quiet but put it down to a busy week when before I knew it, on the side of the street, next to a traffic light (!) he was down on one knee asking me to marry him. I was taken totally by surprise (which was the whole point) but when it finally dawned on me what was happening, I of course said yes!

See Adrienne & Adam’s Stylish Kilshane House Wedding >

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Pamela & John
Photo by | Wedding date:
 April 30th, 2011

Our proposal… John proposed in the middle of a mucky field in Old Leighlin, Co. Carlow on the site where we plan to build our house. He had got me there under the false pretence of measuring the site for our architect. As the field was quite wet I was in my wellies – it’s not every day a girl gets proposed to wearing wellies! John had also hidden a bottle of champagne and some glasses and we sat looking out at our view of Mount Leinster. It was perfect.

See Pam & John’s Bold and Bright Summer Wedding >

Main photo by Melody Gibbs for White Room Events via Style Me Pretty | By Karen Birney