If you follow us on Instagram or are a friend on Facebook then this is week old news to you, but if you’re behind the times, we have a big announcement: WE’RE GETTING MAAAARRIED!!! And the proposal was caught on camera AND video at DISNEY WORLD! What?! Didn’t Jay do such a great job planning it? I was in total SHOCK. Of course, looking back now, Im slapping myself for missing ALL the obvious signs that he provided for me.
So back story: we’ve been talking about getting married since the moment we started dating in 2012. The topic of marriage wasnt scary to either of us so early on because we’ve both been there, done that (we dont keep that a secret).
A few months back we booked a wedding at Disney World (and I cant wait to blog it!!) and I declared that we were ABSOLUTELY going to the parks because it’d been 2 years since we went and this girl was having major Haunted Mansion withdrawals. Jay invited our friends Toni & Krissi, who took off work to come with us…Toni is a photographer. This is important. Fast forward about a month ago, we booked a wedding in DC and they wanted Disney engagement photos! They were coming down the same week as the wedding, so I decided we would only go to the park that one day instead.
Then, two weeks before the trip, Jay asked me “We’re still going on the 6th with Toni & Krissi right?” and I said “No, just Saturday” and guys…he turned white. All panicked like he said “But they both took off work to come with us!” and then I started to panic because I totally forgot about that! So then I said we were going for two days again. Of course, we both panicked for different reasons, unknown to me haha. This was a sign I missed.
Two days before the proposal: I went out to dinner with my friend Kristina in Tampa. Afterwards, we started chatting about our men and how awesome they are and one topic led to the next and suddenly we’re talking about wanting to marry them. I told her how we’re going to Disney and Ireland this year and at Disney we’ll have a photographer friend with us and in Ireland I had set up a couples shoot with fancy outfits, so either of these times would be perfect for a proposal but I just KNOW it wont be happening because theres no ring. I told her how even though I KNOW its not happening, a little part of me is going to get my hopes up at Disney only to be dashed!
The day before the proposal: We’re at Downtown Disney (I reFUSE to call it Disney Springs) power walking to the bus station to catch a ride to the Boardwalk to meet up with my best friend. We pass by the World of Disney store. Jay asks what it is and I say its the biggest store at Disney. He wants to go in, so we do! Right in front of the doors are those matching “I’ll be your Mickey” “I’ll be your Minnie” couples shirts. I have to say, we are NOT the matchy matchy same shirt wearing kinda couple…but Jay said “Oh these are kinda cute. We should get them.” And I just looked at him like he had 7 heads and said “Uh…ok”. But we continued on. He found 2 more shirts he liked for himself and said “Gee which one should I get? One of these, or the couples shirts?” I told him, what ever you want! I’ll wear the couples shirt, but if you want one of these, thats fine too!
He chose the couples shirt. This went over my head completely. I was confused by him wanting them, but it wasnt like screaming “hes proposing to you tomorrow, dummy”
Day of proposal: We are at my FAVORITE place on the planet – Disney!!!! As soon as we walk through the turnstiles, Toni says “Lets get a photo in front of the train station!
And from there, we’re getting photos everywhere! Jay had told Toni to take tons of photos of us so I wouldnt be suspicious at the location of choice where he was doing it.
To continue reading the story, scroll on down! Photos thanks to Toni Rodriguez Photography
Can you tell Im excited to be back at Disney?
Love this shot that Toni took! This was moments before the proposal. We had just ridden my favorite ride, the Haunted Mansion, which is located next to Rapunzel’s tower. Rapunzel is my FAVORITE. The second time I ever watched that movie, it changed my life. Its a very special movie to me, and Jay knows this. He is the Eugene to my Rapunzel.
Toni asked if we wanted some photos in front of it and I said “hell yeah!” because I only have an iPhone shot of me in front of it from 2 years ago…alone. That trip, Toni & Krissi were with us too!
So anyway, so we take some smiling at the camera shots, and then Toni instructs us to face each other and kiss. This was the sign for Jay to know that Toni was ready to get it.
Suddenly, Jay pushes me away and takes my hands and he says “You know I’ve been wanting to marry you for a long time now…” and I see him get down on one knee…and I cover my face…and then I kinda blacked out I think!!! I know I cried. I remember him telling me that I was making HIM cry. I uncover my face and I dont see the ring, but I take what ever is in his hand on impulse and I lean down and kiss him! Thats all I remember!! I didn’t even say Yes! haha
It wasnt until after we moved from the tower that I finally looked at the ring – it was gold with a purple amethyst stone, Rapunzel’s colors!! It was perfect. Jay had to inform me that it was just a prop ring. He knew I wanted an art deco ring because he’s SNEAKY and a few months ago had our friend/former bride/fellow Disney nerd Lisa make a post about Disney engagement rings on Facebook and tagged me and a few others in it for opinions! I had said “While I love the Rapunzel ring and wouldnt say no to it, I’ve had my heart set on an antique ring!”
You can see the ring on my hand!
And here’s me, calling my mom while in line for Its A Small World – Jay’s favorite ride!
I officially want the shirt the dude behind us is wearing. Who else remembers Duck Tales?! I always joke that Im much like Scrooge McDuck (-;
Also, dont mess with us and our Disney snacks. These photos were not taken with the intent of looking similar, it just happened that way!
The next day, we popped into an estate store to get my ring size and Jay found this GORGEOUS 1920’s diamond & emerald ring!!! I love emeralds. I remember as a kid going through my grandmas jewelry boxes and she had this gorgeous emerald ring – which I always thought she loved because shes from Ireland – which is where we’re getting our official engagement photos done! So emeralds remind me of my grandmother! But theres more – we started dating on my grandfathers birthday (who has passed on), and we got engaged on my other grandmothers birthday (who has passed on)! So everything is just so special to me and I can not WAIT to marry this man and annoy him for the rest of my life! (-;
