When a wedding planner gets engaged...
I am engaged!
I have to admit that it feels funny to be on the other side. I am so used to hearing other people’s proposal stories and asking all of the details, so it’s funny to share my own.
Photo by I Heart My Groom // Anna Delores
I knew that when people got engaged everyone asks how it happened? What I didn’t realize is how many people ask if I knew it was happening that day? For real- everyone asks this. No, I did not know it was happening, but did I hope it was happening soon? Yes! I had been thinking it would happen for about a year and when Covid-19 entered our lives in March and two trips to Hawaii were postponed, I had no clue when it would happen.
I shared in another story how the ring came to be…
So where do I begin?
Zach and I bought a home together last year. We have really enjoyed making our house a home and picking out and designing pieces for our house. When Covid-19 entered all of our lives in March 2020 we both decided to enjoy the time we had working at home together, as we had never been able to do that before. We typically traveled a lot in my off season, but getting to spend months together was unheard of. We spent the majority of our relationship long distance, not too long, but long enough that we really only had weekends together unless we were traveling.
We planned to go to Hawaii in May and then soon realized that would not happen, we canceled the trip and decided we would replan when travel restrictions opened up. In July we learned that Hawaii was set to open in August, so we rebooked the week of my birthday. We soon found out that wouldn’t be an option either. With my birthday approaching and no plans we decided we would spend a long weekend in Santa Barbara. I love Santa Barbara having been born and raised there.
We decided to stay in two different hotels for the weekend- Belmond El Encanto and then Hotel Californian. I have done events at both, but never had the need to stay the night. We checked into Belmond El Encanto and strolled the grounds. We enjoyed a “Charmer” and a cheese plate then had a quiet dinner for two on the terrace. It was lovely and magical.
I had asked Zach many times to go on a hot air balloon ride and he always said the safety records weren’t so hot and had one excuse or another. This birthday though, he suggested that since Hawaii was canceled and all the plans had changed again, why don’t we do a hot air balloon over Santa Ynez Valley? I was stoked and shocked that he was finally okay with a hot air balloon ride.
Two days before we left for Santa Barbara he said- Do you want to get our Christmas card photos out of the way and take them in front of the hot air balloon? I thought it was the perfect idea, but was concerned because the dogs were going to be with mom during our hot air balloon ride. He suggested we print photos on sticks and hold them up- no, that would not work! I called my mom and asked her if she would consider bringing the pups up and see us off- she said she would and so that was set. I then asked Zach if he had a photographer and he said no. Little did I know he had been planning all of this for months with I Heart My Groom and Anna Delores Photography. In reply to his suggestion that the hot air balloon pilot take them I laughed- no way! (I probably had a few more thoughts that were a bit more colorful.) I texted the girls and asked if they would consider coming up to take our holiday photos? They had plans to go to Industrial Eats that night for dinner and said they had always wanted to photograph a hot air balloon, so it would be no problem at all. Whew, I thought- at least we will have good photos. Now I had to plan our holiday card outfits- it is the planner in me. I wanted them to be fun and show our personalities, but I don’t usually wear red, so panic ensued. I couldn’t find a single outfit that we all (dogs too) looked cohesive in but not too holiday-ish. The morning before we left to Santa Barbara I ran around trying on dresses and finally found a blue one. Knowing Zach had a short suit that would match I quickly paid for it and left. Covid is not the time to be shopping and hemming and haaa-ing over dresses, I told myself.
On the day of the hot air balloon ride Zach went golfing with a friend and my dad and I enjoyed time catching up with my event friends on the patio of the Belmond (socially distanced). We had grand plans to sit by the pool, but it was too smokey.
When Zach returned from golf we proceeded to get ready and then drove up to Santa Ynez to the meeting location. We waited patiently for the others who had booked the trip to join us (there wasn’t ever anyone else, come to find out) and for the girls who were going to take our holiday photos to arrive. The pilot informed us that due to the smoke the other couple canceled (lie) and that we could cancel too if we wanted. We both really wanted to go, even if it was smokey, so they agreed to still fly, just the two of us.
When we got to the spot to fill the balloon we took our holiday photos. We waited for the balloon to fill, climbed inside for a few more photos and then got into the basket. We took a couple photos with a Happy Birthday sign and then floated over the Santa Ynez Valley. If it was going to happen that was the time I told myself- photographers, picturesque scenery and the pups, but it didn’t and I was still so excited to be in a hot air balloon.
The pilot popped champagne for our sunset float over the valley and we floated peacefully through the air. About 20 minutes into the flight and quite a few selfies later the pilot asked if we wanted him to take our photo- I said yes and at that moment Zach dropped to one knee. He asked me to marry him and I was literally on cloud nine. Following lots of hugs and kisses I said- I wished the girls hadn’t left for dinner and that I couldn’t wait to tell my mom. Little did I now there was more in store for me still.
When we landed my family and friends were there waiting to greet us. It was the absolute best! We then made our way to SY Kitchen with everyone to celebrate and cheers. It was the most perfect proposal and the most special day. I am so grateful for all the planning and love that Zach put into making this day so unbelievably memorable. Now to get planning the wedding!
