For anyone who’s ever pined after their own Mr. Darcy, you’re going to swoon over this proposal story that’s two centuries in the making. Bethany Albert was visiting her parents over the holidays in Tacoma, Washington, when she unknowingly found herself starring in a real-life version of Pride and Prejudice!

The action unfolded on Christmas Eve, when she stepped into her family’s home and was seized by her sister, who exclaimed that “Mr. Bingley had returned to Netherfield at last!” The English lit major and Jane Austen fan froze when she realized what was about to unfold: “It took less than ten seconds; another sister was taking pictures and this had my boyfriend written all over it. Also knew that we were going to get engaged at some point, but he still managed to surprise me,” the bride-to-be writes on Reddit.

Albert changed into a dress more befitting of the era and was handed a script. She reprised the role of Elizabeth Bennet and acted out pivotal scenes from the novel with her parents (the honorable Mr. and Mrs. Bennet), brother-in-law (Mr. Bingley) and her boyfriend, David Slater (Mr. Darcy), among other relatives. She “just about lost it” but everyone else managed to stay in character for the entire half hour.

Then, the literary heroine and her dashing suitor took a private walk outside, where he reenacted Darcy’s second heart-stopping proposal in her neighbor’s yard (“my affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me forever”).

Check out their adorable photos below!

How you tell your guests about the big day is pretty, well, crucial. Do it in style by taking advantage of one of these wedding stationery trends.

GREENERY

It was Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2017, so it’s no surprise that greenery is making a huge appearance on wedding stationery. Whether it’s wreaths of rustic leaves printed around the edges, or fresh foliage attached with twine, this trend is still here two years later.

LASER CUTTING

With this modern technique, couples can really get creative with the way their stationery opens up, by incorporating layers of beautiful artwork.

METALLICS

They’re huge in the fashion and beauty world, so it was only a matter of time before wedding stationery followed suit.

TWINE

Going for a rustic feel is as easy as attaching greenery, flowers, tags or treats with twine. Or you can just use it to tie your invites closed.

As part of the wedding prep, the perfect rehearsal dinner will make for an evening of fun, love, and a chance to mingle before the big day. Lately, they’ve become known as extravagant evenings of dining, decor and preparations right before the wedding. But if you plan it right, you’ll be able to have a stress-free evening of celebration before your big day.

STEP 1

Make sure it’s clear who will be hosting and organising the event. It may be the groom’s side or the bride’s, or a combination. Make sure everyone is aware of their role to avoid any conflict or miscommunication on the night.

STEP 2

Decide on the kind of event you want to have. Do you prefer keeping it light and casual, or making it a big party? Let this set the precedent for the decor, the setting and the guest list.

STEP 3

Draw up the guest list. Aside from your bridal party, family and close friends, you may want to have certain people. This will depend heavily on the size of the event, the location and your personal preferences.

STEP 4

Whether you go big or small, creating a fun theme for the night will only add to the festivities. This can involve fun games and even some sneaky hints for the big day.

STEP 5

While it’s important to have a set schedule in place for how the evening will run, make room for surprises and deviations in the evening. For instance, you may have a set list of speakers, but if your other guests would like to say a few words then allow room for some extra time.

You can also use your rehearsal dinner to spoil your guests with gifts for your bridal party and special thank yous to everyone who contributed to the planning of your special day.

Image: Unsplash