10 years together had all the significance in the world for Helen and James, especially when it came to planning the very important business of the rest of their lives together.
Sparked by the spirit of adventure, the couple share a love of traversing the world and all that it has to offer. Just before Christmas in 2017 James and Helen arrived at an especially romantic destination – New York, which, would prove to be the perfect setting for what James had been planning.
Helen had mapped out NYC as a surprise for James and, not to be outdone, he took matters into his own hands when it came to upping the stakes in a big way. The ultimate gesture? A city proposal – entirely unknown to Helen, who was about to be swept off her feet on a trip she’d initially dreamt up for James…
“Although we have been through a lot together, I was still so nervous and popped the question quickly, stumbling over my words, and forgetting to get on one knee.” – James
Having decided on the perfect surprise reversal, James was nervous – everyone wants to get it just right. Especially when it means something. Early on in the trip, right there in the city of lights, the question burst out from James. Yes, he stumbled. Yes, he may have forgotten to get down on one knee but the moment counted and an ecstatic Helen gave the “yes!” she’d wanted to give for so long.
“She was ecstatic and said yes right away. Although I’ve not yet lived down not getting on one knee!” – James
Not quite living down the whole ‘one knee’ thing, James had planned the proposal perfectly. The couple now had the best part of a week, together, in New York to celebrate their engagement. This was marked by many a bottle of champagne at any given opportunity (which, whilst expensive, was very much worth it given the circumstances)!
“I proposed with a crappy ring. I mean a truly awful ring (which has since broke and been binned!), but waiting for Helen when we got home was a beautiful diamond engagement ring (hidden on our Christmas tree)!” – James
James was the first to admit that the ring he initially proposed with was terrible – it broke soon after and ended up in the bin! This was all redeemed by a stunning, swoon-worthy diamond engagement ring – which was waiting for Helen back home on the couple’s Christmas tree.
Helen and James managed to keep the engagement secret until they gathered family and friends together to look through their holiday snaps. Ready with personalised M&Ms hinting at the engagement, the couple welcomed their somewhat begrudging guests (who were expecting a lengthy slideshow and holiday envy) only to reveal that it was in fact a big celebration!
The couple’s plans for the big day are coming along swimmingly as they save together for a BIG wedding – one which will really go out with a bang for their family and friends. Helen and James can’t wait to share their wedding with their nearest and dearest and will tie the knot in March 2019!
We wish Helen and James all the best with their continued adventures – the couple will set out on their first as a married couple on a fab sounding honeymoon in Japan, planned especially to coincide with cherry blossom season.
If you’d like to feature in #ShareMyEngagement, please email any photos and details of the proposal to Chloë (Social Media at Robert Gatward) via [email protected] with the subject heading “#ShareMyEngagement”. We also run a competition across our social media channels (facebook, twitterand instagram) where you could #WIN a £750 wedding ring voucher. Simply share a snap of your engagement ring along with your story to any of our social media channels with the hashtag #ShareMyEngagement and tag ‘Robert Gatward Jewellers’ to be entered.
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