Engagements Archives | Page 5 of 7

In Announcements

Man stages robbery to propose

December 11, 2019 No Comments

We’ve heard of proposals being surprising and heart-stopping, but this one truly takes the cake. Going against convention, this New York-based groom decided to stage a robbery to pop the big question.

Ray Giuliano chose a grocery store in Erie County, New York, as the perfect place to propose. In a CCTV footage video the couple can be seen shopping in the store when a man enters and pulls a gun on the store clerk. After successfully ‘robbing’ the store the man disappears, only to run back into the store.

The ‘robber’ then herds Giuliano and his girlfriend into a corner of the store where he pulls something out his backpack. Thinking its a weapon, Giuliano’s girlfriend appears incredibly scared and begins begging for her life. However, the robber pulls out the ringbox and hands it to Giuliano, who proceeds to propose to his girlfriend.

Luckily, she said yes.

Watch the video below:

“I was going for ‘scared’ with a happy moment afterwards. I wasn’t going for ‘terrified,'” he told Inside Edition.

The supposed robber and store clerk were all in on the act, and Giuliano went to extra measures to make sure it was a safe environment.

“We closed down the store, we waited for everyone to get out,” Giuliano said. “We notified the police this was going on. We had a prop gun, it wasn’t a real gun, so, we tried to do it as safe as possible.”

Feature Image: Inside Edition

In Engagements

Men’s wedding bands that aren’t boring

December 9, 2019 No Comments

A ring is a symbol of your love and eternal commitment, so why not have a special one? Men’s wedding bands have a tendency to lean towards bland. However, there are so many small touches that can elevate a ring while still being understated. If you’re on the market for a wedding band, check out these unique offerings.

American Swiss

This 9ct yellow gold and sterling silver ring, coined the Johnny ring, features a bold design of heat-treated black diamonds. Perfect for the man not afraid of a little shine.

Price: R3 299

Shimansky

This 5mm half-round band features a hammered finish crafted in Palladium, creating a subtle design for understated uniqueness.

Price: upon request

Wolf Bros

This ring is made in white gold with a combination of rope and polished edges. They can be made up in 9ct or 18ct yellow gold or white gold, as well as in platinum.

Price: material dependant

Sterns

This 9ct yellow gold men’s ring, named the Midnight Magic ring, reveals a bold design of heat-treated black diamonds in a rectangular shape.

Price: R 4 289

NWJ

This ring features Silver, Gold Diamond and White Sapphire in a unique design reminiscent of ocean waves. A true statement ring for the bold groom.

Price: R5 230

Arthur Kaplan

If you’re not one for gold, this Titanium d-shape wedding band with wild olive wood inlay is the perfect blend of rugged design and modernity.

Price: R3,199.00

Image: Unsplash

In Announcements

Lucky couple get engaged on Mzansi Super League field

December 9, 2019 No Comments

Who said romance at cricket matches is dead? Mzansi Super League (MSL) 2.0 is not just about bats and balls, but about love in action too.

SuperSport Park came to a standstill last Friday when one lucky couple’s dreams became a reality. They got engaged out on the field in front of thousands of spectators at their favourite venue during the Tshwane Spartans and Paarl Rocks clash last Friday evening.

There was probably no better backdrop than one of the most picturesque venues in the world when Jacques Storm (32) decided that it was time to “do the right thing” and ask his girlfriend of three years, Lizelle Smit (24), for her hand in marriage. What he might not have known was that his cameo inning would eclipse all cheers that might have been reserved for AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Tabraiz Shamsi on the night.

Storm, having given his idea to the tournament organisers, hoodwinked his soon-to-be fiancée into believing that they were lucky ticket winners and that they had to claim their ultimate prize out on the field during the interval break. Then as the live SABC cameras were rolling, he got on one knee to ask Smit for her hand in marriage.

“Let me tell you this – my mouth was so dry. I was so nervous that I battled to get the words out, but I think I she understood what I was trying to say!” said Storm as he recalls the most important day of his life. “Lizelle was also so nervous she almost started crying. I think it was seeing so many people sitting and cheering behind us.”

“I am a sporting person, having played SA Schools cricket when I was 19, so there was no other place for me to do what I considered the right thing to do, and to be with a person that has contributed immensely to me over the last two years. I didn’t want to do the obvious and go to a restaurant. I wanted to make it unique – so I am glad that I could get to do it in an MSL game.”

Smit also added: “I am not going to lie, I was definitely not expecting it, but it turned out to be a fantastic night. It turned out to be a really good shock.”

“I knew she was going to say yes…but my colleagues at work kept asking me, saying ‘what if she says no?’ in the days leading up to the event. I must confess, it did create some doubt. I was mostly convinced that she would say yes, because we had just moved in together the week before,” he said.

“The fans kept coming to congratulate us for the rest of the game. Even when we went out for drinks after the match, people recognised us. Let me put it this way: we have received plenty of venue suggestions for our marriage.”

“We have not thought of a venue, but even if it is behind the sightscreen at a cricket field, I am just glad that Lizelle said yes when I proposed to her.”

Image: Instagram / Mzansi Super League

In Announcements

Couple propose to each other simultaneously

December 6, 2019 No Comments

We’ve heard of couples being in sync, but this one takes the cake. This beautiful couple both felt it was time to get hitched, and ended up proposing to each other at the same time!

Caitlin Mullins and Annie Fox from Georgia have been together for years, and each spent weeks planning separate proposals for the other without their partner knowing. During a romantic hike to the highest peak in Georgia, Brasstown Bald, Caitlin got down on one knee to propose to her girlfriend. Little did she know, Annie had the same exact idea.

“I had absolutely no idea,” Caitlin told Metro UK. “I’d been planning the proposal for a while. I thought I was been sneaky, going out on a hike to see the sunset. I was incredibly shocked when Annie pulled out a ring too. She had no idea.”

They plan on saying ‘I do’ in 2020 at the same place they got engaged. Congrats to the happy couple!

Image: Metro UK

In Announcements

Emma Stone engaged to SNL writer Dave McCrary

December 5, 2019 No Comments

One of Hollywood’s favourite actresses, Emma Stone, is ending the decade an engaged woman. The Oscar-winning actress recently said yes to her Saturday Night Live (SNL) writer boyfriend, Dave McCrary.

The pair first met on set of SNL when Emma was hosting the show back in 2016. They have been together for about two years. The couple is quite private, keeping their relationship under wraps from the beginning, and have been spotted together publicly only a handful of times.

Taking to Instagram, Dave announced their engagement. Stone’s antique-style engagement ring, one of 2020s biggest ring trends, is in full view.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5q8jCvBv7O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Congrats to the happy couple!

Image: Instagram / Dave McCrary

In Announcements

Biggest celebrity engagements of 2019

December 5, 2019 No Comments

The year of 2019 has been a wild ride. We’ve seen ‘Old Town Road’ claim the charts for far too many weeks, Game of Thrones finally came to an end (and ruined the entire show but we’re not talking about that), and a host of our favourite celebrities got engaged.

Before we usher in the new decade, let’s take a look back at some of the biggest, most exciting celebrity engagements of 2019.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez

Back in March, the baseball star proposed to Jenny from the Block with a whopping 16-carat diamond ring estimated to cost somewhere between $1 million and $4.5 million.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Buzz2LMg92D/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom

The Pirates of the Carribbean actor proposed to his California Girl On Valentines Day, presenting her with a unique flower-shaped diamond ring.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt5gRBDHNZl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Tim Tebow and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

South Africa’s very own Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters captured the heart of American footballer Tim Tebow, and they got engaged in January 2019. Zavion Khotze will be planning the wedding, so you know it’s going to be stunning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsdzW9AB3Xx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Who doesn’t love a royal wedding? Back in September, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Princess Beatrice is engaged to property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The wedding will take place in 2020.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B23uLfvn8Y3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Cassie and Alex Fine

This couple has had a whirlwind romance. They began dating in late 2018, announced that they are expecting a child in June 2019, and got engaged in August. Their engagement, however, was short lived, and they wed in an intimate ceremony on September 25, a month and one day after they got engaged.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1rHTYnJ6q9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams

The Modern Family actress and Bachelorette alum have been giving us ultimate #couplegoals ever since they got together back in 2017 through the power of social media. They became engaged in July, proving that there is indeed love after The Bachelorette.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz_tCLjlAM1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost

The traditionally private couple got engaged back in May when the Saturday Night Live writer and actor proposed to the Black Widow star with an 11-carat diamond engagement ring worth approximately $400,000.

https://www.instagram.com/p/By00y6TpVNn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma

She’ll always be Lizzie McGuire to us, but now she’s all grown up and getting married! Duff became engaged to her singer-songwriter boyfriend, Matthew Koma, in May. The pair became parents to their first child together (and Duff’s second) in October 2018.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxPrPNtAazt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger

After just a few months of dating, one of Hollywood’s favourite Chris’s popped the question to Katherine, daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. Of course, she said yes. The couple surprised us yet again by getting married in June in an intimate ceremony in Montecito, California.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsmy0gUFIt7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image: Instagram / Jennifer Lopez

In Advice

What to know before you get engaged

November 28, 2019 No Comments

Getting married is a big step. When you enter into a union with someone, you promise to be with them, for better of for worse, for the rest of your lives. Unfortunately, almost of half of marriages today end in divorce.

Marriage is hard, and many walk into it not understanding that reality. While you cannot always be 100% ready, there are many things you can do to prepare yourself for this new life you plan to enter. If you’re thinking of getting engaged, make sure you know these things about your partner beforehand.

Financial situation and spending habits:

Money is a major stress in relationships. Ideally, you need to have a general idea of your significant others financial situation before getting engaged. If someone is in debt or has bad credit, that could impact their partner in the future. You should ideally also know your partners spending habits, so that you’re on the same page about budgeting. This will particularly come in handy when you start planning your wedding.

How you feel about kids:

This is the all-important question. As much as many people dream of one day being a parent, there are others who don’t. Wanting or not wanting kids is an important conversation to have with your partner and can cause big problems in your marriage if you’re not on the same page. If you do want kids, also make sure to discuss how many you want, how you would want them to be raised and the kind of parent you want to be.

Religion/faith/belief systems:

The topic of religion can sometimes be tricky. Whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, or Athiest, the important thing is that your partner knows about your belief system. Its not the particular faith system that is of importance, just how that will impact your relationship. For example, if you follow different faiths and want children, which faith will you raise them in? Will someone be expected to convert?

Their beliefs can also shape how they see things in the world and their stance on issues such as abortion, same-sex relationships, and gender roles. If these causes are important to you and your partner feels differently, that could cause big issues. While you don’t have to agree, you do have to be tolerant of each others beliefs.

Living habits:

If you don’t already live together, you might be in for a shock when you do join homes. It is important to know each others living habits beforehand to prevent future issues. What if your partner loves having people around all the time but you enjoy solitude? Or they’re neat and cannot leave the house in the morning if it’s in a mess while you’re more of a ‘I’ll clean it later’ type of person? Small issues like these can grow into massive arguments if you’re not aware of them beforehand and have established a middle ground.

Love languages:

Love is about more than just lust. It’s about making your partner feel seen. Your love language, or how you express love towards others, can cause issues if your partner cannot identify it. If your love is shown through physical affection but your partners is words of affirmation, they could feel overwhelmed by your constant PDA and long for you to use your words more than your body. When you understand each others love language, you understand the meaning behind each others actions, making your actions that much more impactful.

How to effectively communicate:

Communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship. If you cannot speak and listen to each other well, your relationship will be fraught with issues. Fore example, If your partner bottles their feelings, that could cause them to build up resentment towards you because they cannot effectively communicate their needs. You, in turn, could end up feeling guilty about something you didn’t even know was an issue. You need to know how to discuss and resolve conflicts in a healthy way that won’t exacerbate issues.

Family and friend dynamics:

Hopefully, if you’re at the point of getting engaged, you’ve met your significant others’ family and friends. These people have known your partner longer than you, and can thus give you greater insights that you might not have known.

While you might be used to your specific family dynamic, your partner might have a completely different one. For example, if you’re family is the overbearing type, your partner needs to be prepared for them most likely having lots of opinions on your marriage. Understanding family dynamics will allow you to place boundaries on what is acceptable behaviour and what isn’t, making family gatherings much easier.

Your goals for the future:

While we can’t predict the future, we can be honest about our desires. If you have specific goals that could make considerable changes to your life, your partner needs to be aware of them. Popular grounds for divorce is that couples want different things. What if you’ve got dreams of relocating to the city while your partner wants a quiet life in the suburbs? Or you want to be a career woman but your partner expects you to become a stay-at-home mom? These differences in life goals can breed resentment if not discussed beforehand in a healthy manner.

Image: Pexels

In Accessories

Alternative engagement ring stones

November 25, 2019 No Comments

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.

Image: Unsplash

In Announcements

Here’s your chance to propose at Mzanzi Super league final

November 19, 2019 No Comments

Imagine winning a chance to make a grand gesture at no cost to you. Now you can. This year’s Mzansi Super League tournament is well underway, and the tournament organisers want to make the final match memorable for a special couple. One lucky person will be given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to propose to his or her significant other at the final game on December 16, 2019.

Now in its second year, the Mzansi Super League aims to make cricket a truly national sport of winners. Cricket fans attending the Mzanzi Super league can witness some of the country’s top athletes in action while also enjoying numerous other activities such as colour tunnels, entertainment areas for kids, braai areas and cool-down pools, as well as chances to win spot prizes through the Lucky Bums competition.

The league is being held at six stadiums around the country, from Wanderers in Jozi, Supersport Park in Centurion and Boland Park in Paarl, to St George’s in Port Elizabeth, Kingsmead in Durban and Newlands in Cape Town.

Cricket lovers are encouraged to show their love by entering the Mzansi Super league competition. To stand a chance of being chosen to get down on bended knee, proposal hopefuls need to tell the story of how they met their significant other and why they want to propose at the Mzansi Super League final match. The best submission will get to propose live at the final game and win a bottle of champagne and hamper to celebrate their good news.

So, if you’re a sport lover and want to harness the thrill of a cricket final in front of a packed stadium to declare you love to your partner, then this is your chance. All you need to do is email your heartfelt submission to [email protected] by December 11 and the judges will do the rest.

Image: Unsplash

In Announcements

Underwater uShaka Marine World proposal goes viral

November 19, 2019 No Comments

From KFC to a Toni Braxton concert, South Africans have a knack for choosing unusual locations to propose. This man dove headfirst into love with a memorable underwater proposal that has since gone viral.

In a one-minute video posted to Dala U Crew on Facebook, a romantic underwater proposal is captured. The video, currently sitting on 37k views, shows a diver holding a sign that reads “Trish,” before revealing another sign with “Will you marry me?” written on it. The camera then zooms out to reveal a man proposing.

The crowd breaks out into applause when the presumed Trish says yes.

Watch the video below:

https://www.facebook.com/dalaucrew/videos/2534226423326976/

Image: Facebook / Dala U crew