• Category

    Engagements

    Category

    There are many popular diamond shapes to choose from when it comes to engagement rings. The top ten are: round, princess, oval, marquise, pear, cushion, emerald, asscher, radiant and heart.

    The shape of the diamond refers the basic outline when viewed face up. The cut of a diamond refers to how the diamond’s facets are arranged and its ability to reflect light. The most common cutting style is brilliant (cut with 57 or 58 facets to maximise sparkle) and then there is also the step cut which is generally used when cutting square and rectangular shapes (used for cutting emerald and asscher shapes).

    Considering the 4 C’s — cut, colour, clarity and carat weight — alongside your budget is important when deciding on a diamond shape. Ultimately, though, it comes down to personal preference, as each shape offers its own unique charm and character.

    Round

    A round shaped diamond is the most popular choice for an engagement ring as it looks good on most hands and in most settings. Almost all round diamonds are cut brilliant which maximises the potential brightness. However, due to the high demand of this shape, the cost per carat is higher than other shapes.

    Princess

    This shape is also very popular due to the fact that it has a unique shape and has a slightly lower price per carat than the round shape. It also works in most ring setting styles, although it should be set with 4 prongs to protect all four corners. A brilliant cut princess diamond rivals the brilliant round because it offers that sparkle at a lower price. Its square shape also easily disguises imperfections meaning that you can choose pretty much any carat size.

    Oval

    This shape is becoming more popular and it is an adaptation of the brilliant cut round shape so it is perfect for those who like the sparkle of the round but want something a bit more unique. The elongated shape creates the illusion of a larger size and makes the finger appear longer and slimmer. It is also flexible in terms of setting styles and hides small imperfections.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Cape Diamonds (@capediamonds)

    Marquise

    This long and narrow shape has one of the largest surface areas in the upper part of the diamond of all the shapes. It makes the size appear larger than it is and makes the finger seem longer and slimmer, like the oval. Symmetry is important when cutting this shape as the two end points should align and the right and left sides should form a mirror image. It should be set with 2 prongs to protect the two points.

    Pear

    This shape is a combination of the round and marquise shapes with a tapered point on the one end. It also has the lengthening and slimming effect on the finger due to its asymmetry. It is feminine, unique and elegant. This shape also needs to be symmetrical and set with a prong at the point for protection. You can decide which direction you would like the point to face but positioning the point to face the fingernails is more flattering on the hand.

    Cushion

    Cushion cut is a square shape with rounded corners. This style shows clarity (imperfections) well which is something to take into consideration when deciding which of the 4 c’s is most important to you – high clarity in this case. This shape works well in vintage settings.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Cape Diamonds (@capediamonds)

    Emerald

    This shape was originally for cutting emeralds, hence the name. Due to the way it’s cut, it produces a hall of mirrors effect rather than the sparkle that comes with brilliant cuts. It also emphasises the symmetry that comes with this shape. It is flattering on the hand and the long lines and flashes of light that come with this shape bring a sense of elegance. It is not such a common choice for an engagement ring meaning that you can find more affordable options in higher quality than other shapes. However, this shape does not hide imperfections as well as shapes that are cut brilliant.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Ralph Jacobs (@ralphjacobssa)

    Asscher

    This shape has an antique feel to it and is similar to the square emerald but with larger facets. The more facets, the more sparkle. But like the emerald and because of the open and square cut corners, it does not hide imperfections well and so a high clarity is necessary.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Grand Diamonds (@granddiamondscpt)

    Radiant

    This shape is the first square shape to be cut brilliant, the second being princess. A square radiant shape is similar to princess but with cropped corners. It will often look the same as princess if it is set with four prongs covering each corner. A rectangular radiant shape is perfect for those who like the look of the emerald shape but want the shine that comes with the brilliant cut. Clarity is less of a concern with this shape as the many facets hide imperfections.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Ralph Jacobs (@ralphjacobssa)

    Heart

    This shape is a classic symbol of love but carat weight is important as the shape is difficult to achieve in diamonds smaller than 0.50 carats. Symmetry is also important in this shape. The irregular shape of a heart cut means it will need to be set with more prongs to protect the stone. The many facets that come with the cutting of this shape will ensure a lot of sparkle.

    Ultimately, choosing a diamond shape comes down to balancing personal style, practicality and budget. Some shapes maximise sparkle, others create the illusion of a larger stone, while certain cuts highlight clarity and symmetry more than others.

    If you love brilliance and shine, opt for a brilliant-cut shape like round, princess or radiant. If you prefer elegance and finger-lengthening silhouettes, oval, marquise and emerald cuts are timeless choices. And if vintage-inspired or distinctive styles appeal to you, cushion, asscher or pear shapes offer plenty of character.

    The best way to decide? Narrow your favourites down to two or three shapes and try them on in person. Seeing how each shape looks and feels on your hand will ultimately tell you more than any guide can.

    ALSO SEE: Unique wedding rings designed by local jewellers

    Unique wedding rings designed by local jewellers

    Featured image: Pinterest

     

    Some proposals are beautiful. Some are emotional. And then there are the rare ones that somehow belong to everyone who witnesses them.

    Aqib and Laiqah’s engagement at Maiden’s Cove in Cape Town has become one of South Africa’s most talked-about love stories. Sure, the romantic setting played a role, but it’s also because of what unfolded around them: a spontaneous, overwhelming wave of celebration from complete strangers.

    The moment was captured by photographer Bianca Asher, who later shared the full behind-the-scenes story on her blog. What was meant to be an intimate seaside proposal quickly turned into something far more unexpected, eventually gaining more than 64 000 likes on Instagram and becoming a powerful example of Ubuntu in action.

    When Aqib reached out to me a few months ago to plan his proposal I don’t think either of us could have imagined how everything would unfold. We went back and forth on location ideas – with the main focus being on a beautiful backdrop and catching Laiqah’s reaction. When I arrived at Maiden’s Cove I saw a lot of tour busses and even more people, which was not in the plan of a quiet proposal shoot. Aqib and Laiqah were down the road at Plato grabbing coffees as the decoy plan to go on a walk for the proposal. I was in comms with Aqib and tentatively changing the location to somewhere quieter, but as I was waiting the crowds dispersed around the cove. When he messaged to let me know he was a few minutes out – I just asked a handful of students who were directly in my shot if they wouldn’t mind moving for a few minutes while I captured the moment. They were really excited and asked if they could watch and I said of course, just act natural. I don’t know exactly what happened but I’m assuming a few texts were sent out to other students who were there and as Aqib dropped to his knee – these huge cheers broke out behind us. It was the most incredible moment of Ubuntu and celebration between strangers.

    Instead of the usual quiet anticipation that surrounds a proposal shoot, the cove erupted into cheers as Aqib dropped to one knee, turning an already emotional moment into a shared celebration between strangers, students, tourists and passersby.

    I’m getting goosebumps just typing out what happened. It’s hard to explain how beautiful it is when a community comes together to celebrate strangers. I’ve been capturing proposals for years and I love being part of the best days of people’s lives – but this was something I’ll never forget. There’s nothing like the incredible spirit of South African’s coming together to celebrate joy. Everyone is asking for an invite to the wedding so it seems like we’ll need a stadium to pull this off. It would be incredible to keep this good cause going and raise funds for charities while celebrating their love. If any brands and vendors are keen to get involved – reach out in the comments or email me.

    The reaction online has been just as warm as the moment itself, with South Africans embracing Aqib and Laiqah as “their” couple.

    At its heart, this proposal story is a reminder of how quickly strangers can become a community when something real and joyful unfolds in front of them. And in this case, that joy happened to be two people saying yes to forever, framed by the Atlantic Ocean and a chorus of unexpected cheers.

    An engagement ring holds a large amount of significance for a couple. For hundreds of years, the classic diamond has been a major trend for engagement rings, often honoured for their simple beauty, shine, and value.

    But with more and more traditions evolving, the classic diamond engagement ring is slowly being replaced with other special stones, materials and designs that value originality, affordability and meaning.

    Take a look at our top picks for alternative engagement rings:

    1. TANZANITE

    The next best thing to diamonds is the striking tanzanite. With its deep blue, this stone can complement a silver, rose gold or white gold band beautifully. As far as cut goes, tanzanite is popular in many shapes. This teardrop ring shows how tanzanite can pair with other jewels as well.

    2. MORGANITE

    With a light, dusty pink tint, morganite is an affordable and stunning stone which signifies unconditional love and compassion – two necessary traits in all marriages. This stone is equally as versatile due to its light shade and works well with all metals.

    3. JEWEL BAND

    If you want to have a more practical and simple engagement ring, then a plain band with a few jewels may be the one for you. Incorporate your favourite stone, or multiple to make a statement. If you opt for a brightly coloured stone such as the ruby or peridot, your band is bound to stand out.

    4.  OPAL

    Opals are a rare and highly sought after stone that adds a touch of glamour to a ring. They can give off a vintage appearance, but if you pair it with a simple silver band surrounded by smaller diamonds, it becomes a modern but still unique ring.

    5. VINTAGE

    Whether it’s an heirloom, has been bought in an antique store, or specially made to appear old-fashioned, vintage rings will always be breathtaking options for engagement rings. The metal is darker and has intricate detail, which is often accompanied by a large and neatly cut stone.

    6. ONYX

    Dare to make a bold statement with a dark and shimmery onyx centrepiece on your engagement ring. This black stone complements yellow gold in a unique and modern way, which has slowly started to pick up attraction on the market.

    7. PEARL

    Having a pearl on your engagement ring definitely adds a touch of vintage elegance. If you are a lover  of all things old-fashioned, opting for these lovely round jewels will bring your dream ring to life.

    8. ROUGH CUT

    The cut of the stone makes a big impact on the overall ring. Just simply using an uncut diamond instead of a neatly cut one can change the look and feel of your ring. A rough cut ring is more rustic and natural-looking, for a more organic finish. In this case, it’s better to seek a specialist for a hand-crafted option.

    9. TURQUOISE

    If you love to be different then this is the stone for you. Choosing a turquoise jewel for your engagement ring is a big step, as this particular stone has a very youthful appearance, especially when paired with a dainty band and smaller stones. But you will have a unique and special ring that you value, which is all that matters.

    10. SMOKY QUARTZ

    This earthy stone is a beautiful and affordable option for an exquisite natural-looking engagement ring and can be paired with silver or yellow gold for complementary tones. Marvel over its sparkle and changing colours when it catches the light.

    ALSO SEE: Diamonds: Understanding the 4 C’s

    Diamonds: Understanding the 4 C’s

    Image: Unsplash

    While Beyonce might not agree, there are smarter ways to show ‘you like it’ than with a pricey engagement ring

    As much as many of us may long for the sparkle of a diamond ring and the iconic ‘I said yes!’ Instagram reveal picture, the reality of it is that with the ongoing increases in the cost of living and the added expenses of a wedding looming, a huge engagement ring isn’t always very practical. But budget constraints need not to cramp your bridal bliss, especially if you change your thinking.


    I’m a big believer of choosing an affordable ring, as I don’t think couples should start out their life together in debt


    Ring in a new life

    For Tamlyn Jacobus, the ability to afford an enjoyable life together far outweighed the need for an engagement ring.

    ‘If I were to follow societal traditions and has asked for a 1-2 carat, colourless princess cut, it would have set us back for the lifestyle we choose to live. Exploring eateries and travelling to different places in our region is something we enjoy doing regularly. Knowing spending money on a  huge ring and that a big wedding wasn’t on the cards allowed us to go away on a few mini-escapes before saying I do.’

    Tamlyn and Camilo eloped – and used the cash they saved to buy a home of their own. Tamlyn now wears a dainty white-gold band to signify their marriage.

    Up, up and away

    With a new generation redefining cultural and societal norms, we’re seeing new trends grow in popularity and with more and more people aspiring to travel, it’s no surprise that honeymoons are getting all the love.

    ‘My husband didn’t get a ring. He got me a simple engagement ring, but no wedding ring. I rarely wear the engagement ring. Instead of spending on the wedding or on rings, we travelled for weeks through South East Asia and put a deposit down on a townhouse,’ says Wendy van Eyck.

    Soon-to-be-bride Kerri Davis agrees:

    ‘My ring has an amethyst stone and cost about R400. We saved for a two-week honeymoon to Thailand.’

    Less ka-ching, more bling

    ‘I’m a big believer of choosing an affordable ring, as I don’t think couples should start out their life together in debt,’ says Tiffany Marx – Inspired Jewellery. It’s possible to have a beautiful engagement ring without breaking the bank. Here are Tiffany’s top tips for budget-friendly ring-buying:

    Choose an alternative stone

    Slightly tinted diamonds (like Champagne and salt-and-pepper diamonds) have become very popular. They are so different and much more affordable than whiter diamonds. Moissanite is also great options.

    Buy a mount

    These are cast rings that one can set the central stone-stones into. Although I would personally always suggest a handmade ring, choosing a mount tends to be a less expensive exercise as the ring is not a bespoke, handmade item.

    Work with a jeweller

    Many retail shops will only offer you traditional rings as that is what they sell. Try and find a jeweller whose style you like and is willing to work with whatever budget you have. At the end of the day, you can create a really beautiful ring regardless of the materials that are used if you have a good design.

    ALSO SEE: Busted! 5 Common engagement ring myths debunked

    Busted! 5 Common engagement ring myths debunked

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Article written by Bianca Hartel for the Summer 2019 print issue.

    Having your ring engraved is an excellent way to personalise your engagement ring. It allows couples to write sweet messages of devotion to one another, and keep it close to their hearts.

    But what do you inscribe on such an important piece of jewellery? Considering you will (hopefully) wear your ring forever, you’ll want something meaningful to look back on.

    You don’t have that much space on a ring, so a shorter phrase is ideal. Here are some cute words to have permanently written on your ring.

    Dates and symbols

    • Your wedding date
    • The date you met
    • Your initials
    • Co-ordinates to where you first met

    Words and phrases

    • I Love You
    • Always and forever
    • Until eternity
    • Never to part
    • Perfect fit
    • Finders keepers
    • Je t’aime
    • Better together
    • Till death
    • I do

    ALSO SEE: Buying vs. Hiring Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Costs & Considerations

    Buying vs. Hiring Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Costs & Considerations

    Feature image: Pexels

    Congratulations, you’re engaged! This is the start of a life long journey with the person you love the most. You’ll no doubt want to celebrate. But the reality is many people have never thrown an engagement party before and might not even know where to start.

    So we’ve put together a short guide to help you.

    Why Engagement Parties Matter

    Source: Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

    Getting engaged is one of life’s most memorable milestones, and for many couples, it deserves more than a quick phone call or dinner. An engagement party sets the tone for your wedding journey. It’s the perfect excuse to gather both families, your closest friends, and anyone you want to share this exciting new chapter with.

    Unlike the wedding day itself, engagement parties are usually less formal. Guests mingle, enjoy food and drinks, and celebrate in a relaxed setting. In South Africa, it’s not uncommon for couples to blend traditions—think vibrant music, shared platters, and heartfelt speeches—making it both personal and memorable.

    Plus not everyone will get and invitation to your wedding, so an engagement party is a good way for more people to share the start of your new journey, without anyone feeling completely left out.

    Who Hosts And Pays?

    Traditionally, the bride’s parents hosted and paid for the celebration. Today, those rules are more fluid. Some couples host the party themselves, while others split costs between both families. Whoever takes on hosting duties typically covers the essentials:

    • Venue hire or set-up at home

    • Food and drinks

    • Décor and flowers

    • Photography, if included
      (Tip:  there’s are apps such as  GuestCam  that allow multiple guests to take pictures on their phones and upload it. This is a good way to see how your event went from your guest’s POV and also a great way to capture some special and candid moments that a photographer might not always get.)

    Many couples now view the engagement party as a shared responsibility, with both sides of the family contributing.

    When Should You Celebrate?

    Timing is everything. Planners recommend hosting an engagement party two to three months after the proposal. This gives you time to enjoy the excitement, set a date, and spread out other wedding-related events like bridal showers and bachelor/bachelorette parties.

    If your engagement is long, you can delay the celebration, but try to host it while the news still feels fresh.

    Guest List Etiquette

    A key rule of thumb: if someone is invited to your engagement party, they should also receive a wedding invitation. This avoids awkwardness and keeps expectations clear.

    Engagement parties are also the perfect opportunity to introduce your families and friendship circles in a more casual environment before the wedding. Whether it’s 30 people in your backyard or 100 at a hired venue, keep the guest list consistent with your future wedding plans.

    Invitations: Paper Or Digital?

    Your invitations set the mood. Here are your options:

    • Formal dinner: Printed invitations are a timeless and elegant choice.

    • Casual gathering: Digital invitations are fun, budget-friendly, and easy to personalise.

    Pro tip: don’t include registry details on your invites. Instead, add a link on your wedding website or share it personally with guests who ask. Gifts at engagement parties are thoughtful but never required.

    Can You Have More Than One Party?

    Yes, and many couples do. If your families live in different cities—or if you want to celebrate separately with friends and colleagues—it’s perfectly acceptable to host more than one event.

    If you come from different cultural backgrounds, you may want to have two seperate parties to celebrate each of your cultural backgrounds respectively.Each gathering can reflect a different side of your life as a couple.

    Can You Combine It With Another Celebration?

    If you got engaged during a festive time of year, you can combine your engagement party with another celebration, such as a birthday or anniversary. Just try to avoid dates that clash with major holidays like Christmas, Easter, or Valentine’s Day, when guests are likely to have other commitments.

    Step-By-Step Guide To Planning

    1. Decide Who’s Hosting
    Choose whether you, your family, or your friends will take the lead. This will determine the budget and scale of the event.

    2. Pick A Date And Venue
    Aim for within three months of your engagement. Backyard braai? Private restaurant room? Wine estate? The venue should reflect the tone you want—relaxed or formal.

    3. Create The Guest List
    Keep it in line with your wedding invite plans. Decide early if this will be an intimate gathering or a larger affair.

    4. Send Invitations
    Mail or email your invites at least a month in advance. Always include an RSVP date so you can finalise numbers.

    5. Plan The Menu
    The food doesn’t need to be extravagant but should match the setting. For a cocktail party, serve canapés and bubbly. For a garden gathering, opt for a braai or grazing tables. For formal dinners, a plated menu works beautifully.

    6. Set The Scene
    Décor sets the mood. Flowers, candles, and fairy lights create warmth, while bold centrepieces can add drama. Choose colours or themes that reflect your personalities.

    7. Choose Your Outfit
    Many brides-to-be wear white or pastels as a nod to the wedding ahead, but bold prints or florals also make a stylish statement. Grooms usually go for smart-casual but can elevate the look with tailored jackets or cultural attire.

    Final Thoughts

    An engagement party is more than just a celebration—it’s the first chapter in your wedding story. Whether you host a simple gathering at home or an elegant dinner at a venue, the goal is the same: bringing your loved ones together to celebrate your decision to spend your lives as one.

    The beauty of planning an engagement party today is that there are no hard rules. Make it as casual, formal, traditional, or unconventional as you like. At the end of the day, it’s about joy, connection, and setting the tone for all the memories still to come.

    If you’re planning to propose to your partner in Cape Town, you are in luck thanks to the beautiful scenery that Cape Town is blessed with. If you want to propose out in nature there is no shortage of beautiful locations for you to do so. Whether you take a drive out to the winelands or stay within the city, you will be spoiled for choice.

    Have a look at these 5 proposal spots that make use of nature to set the scene:

    Cape Point

    Take a drive out to Cape Point National Park to see where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, and become one with your partner.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Bernadine Jeffrey (@berniejeffrey) on

    Lion’s Head

    Hike up lion’s head and take in the magical views from the top. You will certainly feel like you are on cloud 9 up there.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Lions Head (@lionsheadct) on

    Kirstenbosch Gardens

    Plan a picnic in these lush gardens and take a walk on the Boomslang tree canopy walkway for panoramic views of the gardens and mountains.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Jarat Tours (@jarattours) on

    Boulders Beach

    While there are plenty of beautiful beaches in Cape Town, Boulders beach, with its colony of African penguins, offers something a little extra to make the proposal that much more special.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by عبدالله الجمعة Abdullah (@aaljumah) on

    Vineyards

    The abundance of beautiful vineyards and accompanying restaurants makes it easy to choose just one to propose. Enjoy the delicious local wines and views of the vineyards.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Carol Byrne (@cannalletto) on

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Also read: Things to do in Cape Town

    Adele has always stolen our hearts with her powerful vocals and romantic lyrics. So, it’s no surprise that fans were over the moon when she announced her CBS special Adele One Night Only,” a major music event that took place this past Sunday. But for one couple, it soon became a major event for another reason. 
    Quentin Brunson was ready to pop the question to his girlfriend of seven years, Ashleigh Mann, but just how do you top a simple fancy dinner proposal? Brunson clearly knew what he was doing when he pulled off the biggest emotional surprise during the concert hosted at Los Angeles’ Griffith Park, going down on one knee in front of cameras and a number of A-list celebrities, reports EW
    To pull off the best proposal of 2021 (okay, we may be a bit biased), Adele roped the audience into helping her orchestrate the epic proposal as she asked the them to remain quiet. 
    “I need every person to be really quiet, alright? If you make a noise, I’m going to kill you,” the songstress was heard half-joking to the audience.  
    As the lights dimmed, the almost bride-to-be was escorted across the stage by Brunson wearing noise-cancelling headphones and a blindfold. Mann was then instructed to take off her blindfold and was visibly shocked to see Brunson on one knee. 
    “This is real,” Quentin said while Mann freaked out. “This is real, this is real,” he could be heard saying. 
    After what we can only imagine was a shock to the system and a moment filled with plenty of tears, she said “yes.” However, Mann got an even bigger surprise when the queen of love songs herself stepped out from the shadows and into the spotlight, revealing a few of her famous friends in the process, including Lizzo, Seth Rogen, and Melissa McCarthy. 
    Speaking to CBS, the newly engaged Mann stated that: “I honestly thought that we were going to go on a hayride. I had been talking about going to the pumpkin patch, so I assumed we were doing something cool like that.”
    Well, she ended up getting something much cooler. The legendary proposal came after Brunson submitted a one-minute video explaining why he deserved to make his future wife’s dreams come true. 
    Check out the incredible video below:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWSBRnAMpwd/

    Picture Instagram CBS

    Recently, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker got down on one knee and popped the question to reality star Kourtney Kardashian. The news has since sent social media (and ex Scott Disick) into a frenzy with many fans gawking at the ginormous ring now sitting on her left finger. The massive diamond engagement piece is reportedly worth $1 million – that’s around R14 million – a price of a luxury house in Camps Bay or West Cliff.

    So, just how much are celebrities forking for the rock on their left finger?

    1. Mariah Carey 

    Mariah Carey sure doesn’t like to be outdone, sitting at the top of the list with a 35-carat diamond ring that reportedly cost a whopping R10 million.

    mariah carey engagement ring
    Source: People

    2. Beyonce 

    Well, they don’t call her Queen B for nothing. It’s no surprise that the Lemonade singer has one of the world’s highest-valued diamonds with husband Jay-Z reportedly paying around $5 million for the gorgeous emerald-cut ring back in 2008.

    beyonce engagement rings

    3. Jennifer Lopez

    When it comes to sporting some serious engagement bling, Lopez would take up a few spots on this list. However, it’s her engagement to A-Rod back in March 2019 that has placed her firmly on this list. The American baseball star went all out when getting down on one knee, purchasing a 15-20 carat emerald cut ring that was reportedly worth $5 million.

    Source: Jennifer Lopez Instagram

    4. Paris Hilton 

    Remember that time in 2005 when Paris Hilton was engaged to shipping heir Paris Latsis? Not many people do, but the hotel heiress walked away with a diamond ring valued at $4. 7 million at the time, that’s around R58 million.

    Paris Hilton Engagement ring
    Source: REUTERS

    5. Kim Kardashian 

    There’s no question that Kanye West and Kim Kardashian don’t do small – go big, or go home is their motto, which was clear to see during the couples epic 2013 proposal. The diamond stunner reportedly cost a cool $4 million but was unfortunately amongst the jewellery stolen during Kim‘s infamous Paris robbery.

    Source: Steven Stone

    Picture: Pexels

    Some meet their future partner late in life, and others can say they’ve known their love since they were kids. But how often is it that you meet your future husband right at birth?

    In a wild twist of fate, Courtney Mahnken and her now fiancé Nick Monguso discovered they were actually born in the same New Jersey hospital 26 years ago. In fact, their moms gave birth right next to each other.

    Taking to TikTok, Mahnken shared the truly crazy coincidence. Since posting on February 18. her TikTok has been viewed over 7.7-million times.

    “When I was 14 years old, I got my first boyfriend. It was the first time my mom was ever meeting one of my boyfriend’s moms, obviously,” Mahnken says in the clip. “The first thing she says to his mom is ‘Oh my god you look so familiar! Where did you give birth?’”

    “Immediately I’m embarrassed, and they start talking about their birthing stories. Well, come to realize, they gave birth next to each other,” she recalls.

    “My boyfriend and I are less than 24 hours apart, and my last name starts with “Ma,” his starts with “Mo,” so not only that, we were next to each other in the baby room. My mom remembered them because he was the ‘big fat baby.”

    @reneemahnkie#stitch with @breecard #greenscreen I guess you can say we are actually soulmates ??‍♀️♬ original sound – Courtney Mahnken

    Keeping up with their series of coincidences, the pair attended the same elementary school, middle school, and high school. The pair began dating as teenagers but broke up before reconnecting when they attended the same college years later.

    Monguso went down on one knee to propose in November 2020, and they plan to tie the knot in June 2022.

    Picture: Pexels