Hello lovely readers. Claire, BM editor here. I can't believe I'm finally sitting down to write this post.
For the last year or so, since I started working at Bridal Musings, I've loved sharing Gemma's Real Bride Diary posts. When her copy and pretty pictures came in, I couldn't wait to see what creative wedding endeavours she and Tom were getting up to.
And now that her wedding adventure is over, and she's on to the next one (eek, we're so excited to see what cuteness lies in store for Gemma or Tom Junior!) it's time for our new real bride to take over.
Me!
So, while I may not be quite as talented in the creativity department as my predecessor, I will attempt to keep you almost as entertained as Gemma has, with my planning hijinks. So, 14 months out and counting, here goes… The Proposal.
My ring – and Fortune Telling Book for Brides, a lovely gift from my friend Charlie.
Our proposal story isn't much of a story really. It wasn't dramatic, it didn't involve an exotic location, a viral video, or any kind of meticulous planning. But to me, it was perfect.
We were at home, on the couch, drinking red wine, and listening to records. And then he proposed.
Low key, intimate, and 100% us.
My gorgeous Gatsby ring, by the amazing Heidi Gibson Designs, Mark ordered it from her without the centre stone to proposed with, then we went to Hatton Garden in London together the next day to choose the stone. (Apologies for the fuzzy iPhone pic!)
It was my birthday, and I'd had the most perfect evening the night before, dinner with a bunch of our closest friends, so I spent my birthday having a lazy day at home with Marko. (His real name is Mark, but everyone calls him Marko!)
Marko hadn't intended on proposing that night, in fact, I'd already fallen asleep. But I woke up to find him still awake, and we decided we'd stay up, open a bottle of wine and stick on some music. He decided it was the right moment, but accidentally put my favourite record on the wrong side. That meant he had to wait for a gut-wrenching (for him) half hour to turn it over for the perfect song. (Cavalier by James Vincent McMorrow, my all-time favourite. Listen to it, it's amazing!).
I got up to flip the record, and when I turned around, he had my ring in his hand. He didn't speak for the longest time. I think we were both bit overwhelmed. (No one ever tells you this, but being proposed to is pretty surreal!) After about 30 seconds he finally asked me to marry him. It only took me an instant to say yes.
We spent the night talking until the sun came up. Like I said, really simple, but pretty perfect!
Just some snaps of Marko & I on our travels over the last few years
Marko and I have been together for nearly eight years. (Wow, that sounds like a long time when I see it in writing!) We met in college in Dublin, we moved in together he day he finished his exams, and we've been inseparable ever since.
Over the last four years we've done lots of travelling, living in Cambodia and London, and having plenty of adventures along the way.
Being engaged has been such a nice time for us – I wasn't expecting everyone else to be almost as excited as we are, it's really lovely! And now, even though it's been nearly six months, I still find myself starring down at my ring in the middle of the day.
We're hoping our wedding will be a reflection of us as a couple, a laid back (hopefully sunny!) day, filled with our closest friends and family, good food and great memories.
And I'll be taking you with me! Venue visits, moodboard-making, food tastings, and dress fittings (that last one gives me butterflies!), I'll be blogging about the lot as we plan our big bash.
Our DIY Save the Date, our fridge is covered in Polaroids, so it seemed like a fitting choice.
So, until next time, when I'll wax off about our venue search (which actually changed country half way through!) I want your advice.
Are there any great wedding planning tips you could give me? I'd love to hear them! Or are you a fellow bride (or groom) to-be in the throws of planning, I'd love to hear from you too, after all, we're in this together!
Can't wait until then? Catch up on Gemma's Real Bride Diary.
