Let’s face it: most engagement stories don’t involve exotic trips, luxurious hotel stays or over-the-top surprises. Sometimes, even the simplest of proposals can be the most meaningful and romantic. These real engagement stories show that for some New England couples, genuine and down-to-earth efforts top grand gestures any day–even if they do result in a funny story or two.
YOHANA + OWEN
MARRIED APRIL 12, 2014
Aiden Rhaa Photography
One random day I walked into the house and there he was, on one knee, asking me to marry him. He had been nervously waiting for me to arrive for hours. Owen recorded it so that we could post it on Facebook for all of our family members to be a part of.
From Southern New England Weddings 2015
REBECCA + ANDREW
MARRIED JUNE 20, 2015
Corinna Raznikov Photography
Andrew left for work one morning, then surprised Rebecca by returning with a coffee for her and telling her he’d missed his train.
I was so excited by this surprise that I didn’t really pay much attention when he said he had gotten me something else as well, expecting maybe a croissant or pastry. I was completely shocked when he pulled out a little black ring box. He proposed right by our bedside at 6:15 in the morning, with me still in my pajamas.
From Southern New England Weddings 2016
EMILY + TAYLOR
MARRIED JUNE 13, 2015
Jennifer Leatherwood Photography
After dating for five years, Taylor proposed to Emily in the home the two had recently purchased together.
It was snowing; just a regular Tuesday night. Then Taylor brought me outside and plugged in some Christmas lights that spelled out ‘Will you marry me?’ in the snow. It was so us. Years from now, I love that I can say [he] proposed to me right here in our home.
From Southern New England Weddings 2016
JENNIFER + EDWARD
MARRIED SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
Rivkah Fine Art Photography
The proposal wasn’t a huge, grand thing, but it was special. We were at a hotel in New Jersey, where our church was holding a conference, and after lunch one day, while we were in the lobby, he proposed. I said yes—I knew he was just the right person for me.
From Real Weddings 2016
NATALIE + ASCER
MARRIED AUGUST 16, 2015
Todd Wilson Images
It was Christmas morning and we had finished opening our presents. Ascer really tricked me. I had about five gifts for him and he had given me a bracelet that didn’t fit. I started picking up the wrapping paper and he was still sitting on the floor, saying he had a leg cramp. I turned around and he was on one knee, holding an open box. I cried, I giggled, then cried and giggled.
From Southern New England Weddings 2016
NICOLE + MICHAEL
MARRIED SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
M. Studios
After dating for a little over a year, Michael suggested that he and Nicole go for a walk to Slater Park, near their Pawtucket, Rhode Island home.
It was December and all of the trees around the walkways and the pond were decorated. We walked to a gazebo by the pond and that’s where he got down on one knee.
From Southern New England Weddings 2016
KELLY + BRANDON
MARRIED MAY 29, 2016
Nicole Gesmondi Photographer, LLC
Brandon proposed to Kelly at L’Andana restaurant in Burlington, Massachusetts.
I had no idea. It was the busiest time of the year at work; I was wearing an ugly sweater and my nails were awful.
From Real Weddings 2016
SAMANTHA + PAUL
MARRIED OCTOBER 10, 2015
Ashley Plante/Analog Wedding
At Massachusetts’ Wellesley College, Samantha’s alma mater, tradition holds that if you walk around the campus lake three times with a man, you will marry him. Apparently, running around the campus’s Lake Waban counts, too.
After a “nice quiet jog” around the lake, Paul followed up the run by getting down on one knee and proposing to Sam in front of one of the dormitories– and an audience of students leaned out of their windows and started clapping. Laughing, Samantha recalls,
It’s a very echo-y spot. He totally surprised me.
From Real Weddings 2016
