… and our winners are… BRAB AND JILLIAN clocking in at February 11, 2011 midnight EST with 177 ‘likes’ or votes in this case! Congratulations!!!
*NOTE* If you are just joining in on the voting and have heard to vote here, please read the rules below as they have slightly changed.
First of all, a HUGE shout out and thank you to all the couples who entered this contest! I’m a major softy for sweet love stories and this definitely pulled at my heart-strings. Choosing the top 3 proposal stories was definitely an intense process because proposals are so unique to each couple in their own way. I wish I could have chosen everyone! Again, thank you to every lovely couple for entering and I wish you all the best in 2011 as you begin your lives together as one! As a token of appreciation for entering the contest, all contestants will have a special treat in their inbox within the next few days!
Winning couple will win our basic wedding coverage for FREE, a $1350 value.
Ok. So the moment you’ve anticipated– CONGRATULATIONS (in no particular order) to Brab and Jillian, Brian and Kelli, and Nick and Jenna. You have made it to part II of the contest. Check out their entries below and head over to my FANPAGE to vote by clicking ‘like’ on their photo!
Voting Rules:
- Contest ends: February 11, 2011 midnight EST
- Winning Couple announced: February 14, 2011
- ‘Like’ my facebook FANPAGE
- Locate the 2011 | Most Unique Proposal Contest photo album under the photos tab.
- Click ‘like’ under the photo of the couple of your choice on the facebook FANPAGE to cast your vote.
- Each voter may vote for only ONE couple.
- Contestants may vote for themselves ; )
Be sure to send your friends, family, neighbors, everyone you know to the facebook FANPAGE! š
Facebook comments will not count as official votes. So make sure your family, friends, neighbors, know to click ‘like’ under their chosen couple. Happy voting and have fun!
If you have any questions, please send them to [email protected].
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Couple 1: Brab and Jillian
Slideshow: Brab & Jillian – Slideshow
I’ve always heard that when you meet the person you are supposed to marry, you just instantly know it. I now know it to be true. I met my fiance in December 2007, where we met through friends of friends. The instant our eyes met, were immediately drawn to each other.
I was a senior in college, and he was working as an agent for a commercial real estate company. We were at very different points in our lives, and this was not the only thing that would have made it unlikely that our paths would have otherwise crossed. Our backgrounds differ in the fact that I am from NY, and Brab was born and raised in South Carolina. Our first date was to go deer hunting, which I met with a lot of skepticism. The experience of our first date has led to many encounters in which Brab has truly taught me how to slow down and appreciate the details in what is going on all around us. I can remember how grateful and happy I was to be out there-in what seemed to be the middle of no where, to me. I will never forget sitting with him in that field, listening to crickets chirp, watching the sun go down and seeing the bright stars scattered across the sky. We have had many experiences like that since, and I have come to appreciate the details more, as well as cherish and value the time we get together. We are able to teach each other and show each other new experiences, and it’s one of the things I have really come to appreciate about our relationship. Over the next two years we became more and more of a necessity to each other’s daily lives and happiness.
The proposal: Before I begin, I have to say that I had absolutely no idea that he was thinking about proposing. I always knew I wanted to be his wife someday, but I just figured we would wait until I finished my graduate school program, in a few more years.
Brab planned a long weekend trip up to New York City. We spent a our time sight-seeing and enjoying each other’s company. On the night before we were to fly home, October 23, 2009, we went out to a phenomenal dinner and we attended the Barber of Seville at the NYC Metropolitan Opera. After the opera, I wanted to take a picture outside of the beautiful building, but it had been pouring rain all evening. Almost miraculously, the rain stopped for about a 10 minute window of time. We stood in the middle of a rushing crowd of people, ready to hand the camera to the first person who made eye contact with us. After several minutes, a pleasant middle aged man finally agreed to take our picture. I turned to the side and prepared to pose, and I noticed Brab had dropped his program on the ground. For a second, I thought he fell down, and as I turned back to help him up I realized he was on his knee. I burst into tears. I don’t remember all of what he said, but I can recall him saying “I’ve looked for you my whole life, and I have finally found you. Please do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
Interesting side note: There were 2800 people at the opera that night, and we just randomly selected a photographer from the crowd that was passing us by. After snapping a few photos for us, the man behind the camera informed us that he proposed to his wife in the exact same spot 10 years before- Ocober 22, 1999. He continued on, saying that they are still happily married, which we decided to take as a good sign.
Brab is currently serving in Iraq. He is set to return on July 3, 2011. Our wedding is scheduled for October 8, 2011 in Charleston, SC. I would absolutely love to have Charlotte Jennings photography cover my wedding. It would be such an honor to have this special time in our lives preserved in photographs that we will be able to cherish for years and years. Due to unfortunate health issues in my parent’s lives, they are both currently disabled and unable to assist with the financial aspect of the wedding. Brab is planning on paying for almost all of the wedding with money that he is making while he is overseas. The opportunity to win this package would eliminate a portion of the financial burden, and it would free up more funds to cover expenses for us to start our lives together.
I appreciate your time and consideration.
Couple 2: Brian and Kelli
So, the story goes a little something like thisā¦..
Brian and I went on a family trip to Gatlinburg Tenn. for Christmas. We arrived at our snow covered cabin on Sunday, December 12 2010. Like most people who havenāt seen each other in a long time, we played catch up with our family. Talking and eating, unpacking and laughing at each other. Before we knew it, it was time for bed. Monday morning arrives. There is nothing in the world like waking up to a beautiful sunrise over snow covered mountains. Itās just breath taking! Brian and I get ready for what I thought was a ānormalā day. Little did I know Brian had other plans. It was about noon time when it all began! It was snowing outside, so we were in the living room chatting with family when Brian says, āIām going outside for a minuteā. I thought to myself outside? In the freezing Snow? Hunnā¦ My older sister was in the kitchen, and looked out the window. So I asked what is he doing? She replied, āNothing, just looking off the porch!ā Brian came in the door and went up stairs to our room. I began to wonder, what is he doing? A few seconds later I would have my answer! Brian came down the stairs, and said, āKelli, come up here with me.ā I was hesitant at first, but then hurried up the stairs behind him. He then said,ā Come out on our balcony with me.ā I replied with āBrian, its like 7 degrees outside, are you kidding me?ā :)…Brian, said,ā just put your jacket and shoes on, and come out here with me.ā (I wish I had a clue what was going on, I wouldnāt have given him such a hard time š As I approached the sliding door, I could see where Brian had already been out there without me. I walked out on the snow covered porch, with snowy mountains in the background. As I looked to my left, there sat a Golden small box with a bow on a little wooden table. My heart sank! I began to open it and with every tear of paper, my heart was beating harder. It was a white box, with a black box inside. Once I opened the black box, my heart stopped. There sat the most beautiful ring Iāve ever seen. I looked up and my handsome boyfriend was down on one knee, grabbing my hand, and said the sweetest words,ā Will you marry meā. With a tear in my eye and a faint beat in my chest, I replied with āYESā. We embraced each other, and stared out at the beautiful snow falling. At that moment I realized, I was going to be a bride, and marry not only my high school sweetheart, but my best friend and love of my life. Brian and I have been dating since I was 17 and he was 18. Now 22 and 23 we will become one, and continue our journey together.
A wedding is a once in a life time event. It is something that is close to any brideās heart. I want my wedding to be photographed by someone who knows the inās and outs of special moments. Who can capture things that will be admired for years. Someone, whoās got the same interest as myself and puts all their time and effort into making a great product. I really want CJP to photograph my wedding because I know I will have the best pictures of an event that will never take place again. Please choose me, to help my dreams come true š
Couple 3: Nick and Jenna
The Proposal:
On December 29, 2010, Nick and I decided to spend a day just the two of us to celebrate our first Christmas together. We decided we were going to make each other gifts, and exchange them. He told me that we were going to spend the day together, go out to dinner, and then go to his Aunt Leslie’s in Cuyahoga Falls and exchange our gifts there because his Aunt Leslie decorated her house all pretty.
So I had a doctor’s appointment in the morning and when I went to leave I found a big present outside the door of my house and it had a post it that said, “Open Here”. I opened it up and inside was a giant white teddy bear and another smaller present! I opened it up and inside was a letter.
The letter stated that today was going to be very special because it was our “first Christmas” together and the first Christmas Nick ever has had to spend with a woman that he loved. He also said that I would receive gifts periodically throughout the day but to NOT expect a ring- because I would be very disappointed. He said that he had to wait until about March to be able to buy me a ring. The letter began to tell a story about a young man who fell in love with a young womanā¦. and it also told a story about a wise and caring man who told him that having a successful, fulfilled life began with understanding the responsibilities in life, and how it is important to have them in the right orderā¦. and so throughout the day I got a total of 6 letters, the next five described five responsibilities in life, and the order that they should be in.
In order to shorten up the story I will describe where I got each letter, and briefly what it said.
The next letter I received before my doctor’s appointment and it was the #5 priority- Church & Family activities. These things are important, but it is always important to make sure that FAITH and FAMILY stay higher up in the priority list- and not getting too wrapped up in juggling all the activities. Nick also mentioned in this letter that even though I was nervous about going to the doctor- that he will always be here by my side, and he will always encourage me and support me.
The next letter I received AFTER my doctor’s appointment, and it was the #4 priority- Work. Nick talked about how supporting me and our family is very important, but when you get too wrapped up in work- it can be destructive.
The next letter I received while we were out to dinner- and it was the #3 priority- Children. To love our children, guide them, and be their rock.
After we left dinner, we headed out to Cuyahoga Falls to his aunt’s house- or so I thought. Well we were driving down there and I realized we were not going to Aunt Leslieās.. so Jenna goes in panic mode because I think we are lost!!! I start yelling at Nick, āturn around turn around!!ā And Nick is playing it cool like, āJenna, I think one of these roads up here connects or something.ā We are like in the friggin ghetto of Cuyahoga Falls. Then all of a sudden heās like, āWell I have to go to the bathroom so Iām going to pull in here.ā And he pulls into Stan Hywet which is this huge mansion thing that looks like a castle and they have a Christmas thing called āA Dickens of a Christmasā and as you walk through the house each room is a different scene from the story āA Christmas Carolā. So I say to him, āWas this planned???ā And he finally said, āYes, I wanted to surprise you because this is such a nice Christmas place.ā He handed me another present, and I opened it up, and in it is another letter. Priority #2- ME! š Jenna!! And our relationshipā¦ This letter was so beautiful, because Nick pretty much just told me how much I mean to him, how much he loves me, and how he has an undying and unconditional love for meā¦. Ohhh, he is the best.
So at this point I finally settled down and enjoyed the beautiful house and Christmas feeling. We walked around the manor, saw Santa Claus, and you could feel the Christmas spirit everywhere!!!!!
Then we walked outside the house and they have a beautiful light display. It is absolutely gorgeous!! So we were walking down this sidewalk that had lighted birch trees on both sides and he says to me, āWell I have one last gift for you, and it comes in a box.ā And he pulls out a boxā¦ Lo, and behold, I open it up and ā¦ it’sā¦ ANOTHER LETTER! The last letterā¦ Priority #1- God. (Obviously!) The letter talks again about the wise man who shared all of this with him, and how it is the key to a happy life. And quote, “God is number one, the piece that holds the rest of them together, it is the reason why we are together, it is the only reason we will be together forever.” The letter ends with the verse Proverbs 30:18-19 “There are three things that amaze me- no, four things that I don’t understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, and how a man loves a woman.” Nick states, “I don’t understand how I can love you this much but I do!” So Nick says to me, “Well, that’s the last gift!” Soā¦. you’re thinking.. JENNA.. DID YOU THINK HE WAS GOING TO PROPOSE? nope. Not at all. He kept telling me he wasn’t going to!!!!! I didn’t even second guess it.
So then we walk to this balcony and when you overlook the balcony there is a little lit-up village on the ground, and in the trees are these huge lit-up snowflakes.. and Nick and I are standing there and he starts to get a little weird and says, āWell in conclusion of all the letters, I just want to say how much I love youā¦ etc..etc..ā (I wasn’t really paying attention.. Nick talks a lot!) BUT then he says, āAnd with your fatherās permission, ā (gets down on his knee, he says something like–) āI want to ask you to do me the honor and marry me?ā So.. Iām like, in super shock mode. And I donāt even know what to say!!!! Iām thinking, āIS he kidding? Is this really happening?? I thought this wasnāt going to happen for a few more months? When did he talk to my dad??ā So I say, āOf course I will!!!!ā And we kiss and hug, and then I start crying.. and then I say, āWhen did you talk to my dad????ā So he told me the whole story and I was freaking out. Then he says, “The evening is not over yet!”
So then the rest of the evening his aunt Leslie set up this beautiful Christmas display with Nick and Iās Christmas tree, Christmas presents, cookies, hot chocolate, sparkling grape juice, and beautiful Christmas decorations. So we opened up more gifts and spent some time together being .. ENGAGED =) It was a wonderful time.. I am so lucky.. It was the most perfect engagement.
God has truly blessed me with a wonderful man- I am forever grateful!!!
Now we are getting married on September 24, 2011!!!!
Why we would love you to photograph our wedding!
Our budget is VERY small, but our hearts are VERY big and we’d love for you to experience our day with us, and to bless us with your artistic abilities!