Mark-Paul Gosselar gets married with fabulous rings
If you loved Zach Morris on Saved By the Bell, you may be ecstatic (or celebrity dream crushed and
These bands were custom made by Neil Lane. Photo Courtesy of People.com
disappointed) to hear Mark-Paul Gosselar got married this past Sunday on July 29th. I’m definitely proud to be a wedding day twin with this celebrity.
Gosselar married Catriona McGinn in Sante Cruz, California at the Sunstone winery. Definitely a classy choice. According to People.com, Gosselar was very involved in the planning of the wedding– a rising trend among many grooms-to-be today.
What’s extra spectacular about this pair’s nuptials are their handcrafted wedding bands by Neil Lane. These platinum wedding bands are one-of-a-kind and were made in collaboration with the happy couple themselves. McGinn’s band is just pure sparkle with dozens of tiny diamonds on all three sides of the band. According to People.com, it’s roughly 3 carats. Gosselar’s band is a very masculine, burnished wide band. I think the rings suit the couple nicely.
Neil Lane also custom designed McGinn’s engagement ring. Check out this stunning 4.5 carat, cushion cut diamond. It’s also set in platinum, completing this remarkable set.
What do you think about custom designing your wedding bands?
Nikki
A huge flash mob proposal
There’s a right and a wrong way to do flash mob proposals. This is a pretty great one, if I do say so myself.
The scene is set in Bryant Park. She thought she was meeting her boyfriend for lunch when a stranger takes her to a table to seat her and starts dancing. Suddenly a flash mob of pretty great dancers start dancing. Pretty cool, right?
But wait. There’s more! An entire marching band appears. Talk about a grand gesture. Well, that’s until what appears to be her entire extended family appears, reducing the poor girl to tears. Finally her man emerges from the marching band (great hiding place, huh?) and pops the question.
Of course she said “Yes!” This was a pretty HUGE and well organized proposal.
What do you think about it?
Nikki
Immortalizing your proposal
One of the most romantic places I knew growing up was this nature preserve with a board walk called Turkey Creek. What made it special (besides the beautiful surroundings) was how some people had purchased planks of the boardwalk to have messages, names or dates written in it to be there forever.
There are a lot of places that do something like this and it doesn’t just have to be wood. Bricks and stones can also be bought with a message on them.
This guy got the right idea when he purchased part of a sidewalk. Imagine taking your girl out for a stroll and on the ground is your proposal! Not only is that surprising and romantic, but it takes some of the pressure off of you if you’re worried about not having the right words. Added plus? Every time she walks by that spot, she’ll think back to that day and how special that moment was.
Check out how his proposal went (real action starts around minute 1:05).
Nikki
Pranking Proposals
If you have a great sense of humor, you may want to work in some kind of prank with your proposal. She’ll laugh and it’d be a memory she’ll NEVER forget. Sure, It’s a risky move and sometimes it doesn’t pay off. But there are some classic twists you can pull on your lady to really execute a complete and surprising proposal.
Take this guy for instance. This has to be one of the best pranking proposals I’ve ever seen. He pretended to injure his hand and went to see his girl who works at a hospital. As she works on unwrapping his hand, he gets down on one knee. Finally as she takes a closer look, she realizes he’s been holding the ring box the WHOLE time. Yup! The prankster wrapped his hand with the box in it to make his hand look bigger and swollen. Her reaction was priceless.
Check it out below!
Would you be daring enough to proposal with a prank?
Nikki
How to tell your parents you’re engaged
Flaunting your ring while asking your mom to "pass the bread basket" could be a cute way to let her know about your big news.
So you’ve experienced a proposal that resulted in a “YES!” Whether you were the asker or askee, the next step is equally as important: telling the parents. Make the moment special for them too. After all, you all will be one big family pretty soon.
1) Propose to them too
Give your future in-laws a box with a ring pop in it (if you’re poor and going for cute) or something nice and fancy like an engraved locket for the mother or cufflinks for the father. Have the note say, “Will you be my mother-in-law/father-in-law (so and so already volunteered you for the job).” The look on their faces will be priceless.
2) Take them out to a fancy dinner
They’ll already be impressed at how mature you guys are and then feel extra special for the double date they won’t have to pay for. Have the ring bearer to ask for someone to pass the bread basket, but when she extends her hand, have her be flaunting her engagement ring (probably best to lean that one more toward the mother. She’ll probably notice it before the dad). Cap the night off by ordering a round of champagne to toast to your new family!
3) Recreate a picture of them
Does his or her parents have a cute, memorable photo of when they were engaged/proposing/etc? Take the time to track it down and have a professional photographer (or really talented friend) take a picture of the two of you recreating the pose in the vintage photo. Then frame both pictures side by side. Give it as a gift with a note that says something like, “You’ve demonstrated what real love is. Hopefully we’ll be as blessed as we take this next step…WE’RE ENGAGED!”
How will you let your parents know you were engaged?
Nikki
A Jurassic Park proposal
The other day I wrote about TV inspired proposals. Well, I just came across a really innovative proposal that just happened last month. The coolest (or weirdest…could go both ways) part was that it was based on the move, Jurassic Park.
Apparently this couple was out recreating a scene from the movie when the guy starts changing up the script a bit at minute 1:25. AND he starts his proposal off with a dinosaur claw. That’s right. A DINO CLAW! Doesn’t get more creative than that. His new fiance LOVED it and was thrilled. Check out her reaction below.
If you could have a proposal based on any movie, what would it be? Mine would have to be The Princess Bride.
Nikki
Sofia Vergara Engagement Ring!
If there is no official word from Sofia Vergara yet, it really looks like the “Modern Family” star’s boyfriend Nick Loeb just popped the question! Turned out her trip to Mexico might have been more than “just” a celebration of her 40th birthday.
Photo via Wonderwall
According to Wonderwall, Nick Loeb proposed to Sofia while sightseeing at the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itz. How romantic!
She was spotted via Twitter wearing what may well be her new engagement ring!
Dreaming of a similar design?
Picking a proposal based on a TV show
Is your lady glued to her Tivo or HuluPlus account? For the television buffs out there, sometimes a proposal inspired by their favorite show could be just the ticket to securing the “Yes” you so desperately desire. Here are a few TV themed proposals to get your creative juices flowing.
Glee:
This one’s an easy choice. If your lady love is obsessed with the awesomeness that is Glee, then just get a glee club-like performance. Check out how this guy used the actual volunteer organization based on Glee to propose to his girlfriend (proposal at minute 1:19)
How I Met Your Mother:
Now you’re probably familiar with the couple that already proposed on the set of How I Met Your Mother during a live taping. But don’t feel limited if you can’t be as cool a that. A simple blue French horn or even better– a yellow umbrella should be symbolic enough to indulge her fan within.
Castle:
If your girl can’t be pulled away from this popular murder mystery, some kind of puzzle would be perfect for her. Whether it’s at a scavenger hunt or even a fun evening of hosting your own murder mystery party, do something fun and playful but that’s also filled with clues she’ll love to solve.
The Bachelorette:
Is this your gal’s guilty pleasure? Take her on a whirlwind romantic trip or date that’s just out of this world and then when it gets really romantic, offer her a single rose and ask her to accept it. She’ll think you’re being hysterically weird. Perfect time to pop the question.
What is your favorite TV show? How would you propose like it?
Nikki
The Summer issue is HOT!
Wedding season is in full swing! If that’s got you antsy and filled with excitement, WAIT until you see this summer’s issue of Engagement 101 which comes out this July!
This is a VERY special issue because a real couple graces the cover this month. Not only are they real, but you helped pick them. You voted and now you’ll see who your favorite engaged couple is. What’s more? Flip through the issue to read the love stories of all eight finalists.
But of course, we know just 8 stories of happy couples isn’t enough, so enjoy reading engagement stories from all over the U.S.
Also we have you covered when it comes to the pre-engagement and pre-wedding topics you’ve been curious about. Should he hire a proposal consultant? Once you’re engaged, should you get engagement portraits taken? Find all those answers within this issue’s pages, including a “His & Hers” engagement checklist that you’ll be happy you have. You’ll never be left in the dark when it comes to the ins and outs of navigating the exciting waters of your engagement.
So pick up a copy or order one online here. This is one issue you aren’t going to want to miss.
Nikki
The top 10 reasons it’s great to be engaged
If you thought the actual proposal was fantastic, wait until the engagement! Being engaged brings tons of opportunities, awesome experiences, and beautiful memories. Here’s a list of the top 10 reasons it’s great to be engaged to make sure you don’t miss minute of it.
1) Sending cute save-the-dates
Whether you’re making your own, buying some magnets or doing a cute video– announcing your engagement and your wedding date is one of the most exciting moments in the early days following the proposal. Get creative and show your couple’s personality.
2) Taking awesome engagement photos
Get all dressed up, grab some props and rock out like a celebrity with your honey and a cameraman. Either splurge for a professional photographer or have a slightly artsy friend take some pictures for free. They’ll be great to have to look back on years later.
3) Updating your status on Facebook
It may be a silly little thing, but watching the comments of congrats roll in by the dozens is an experience you’ll appreciate.
4) Having an engagement party
My engagement party was at a laser tag/arcade place (and it was FANTASTIC). These parties are the best and can be thrown a variety of ways. Fancy cocktail party at someone’s house? Going out to a nice dinner with your families? Enjoy the moments that come with being newly engaged.
5) Going to premarital counseling
While some people may not see it as a perk, a couple learns so much about each other during these types of premarital sessions. My fiance and I were counseled by an older married couple and it was a great experience. We’d encourage anyone to try it.
6) Wearing awesome “bride-to-be” gear
Tank tops, flip flops and tote bags, oh my! There seems to be an endless number of options when it comes to bride-to-be apparel. You can even make some yourself with iron-on rhinestone words like “bride” or “newlywed.” My favorite find is my Princess Bride movie-inspired tank that says “Mawidge is what bweens us together today.”
7) Going to Bridal Shows
Even if you haven’t set the date yet, going to bridal shows is a FABULOUS experience. Bring your mom, maid of honor or even your fiance. The best part? You can usually score awesome free stuff and prizes like honeymoon suites.
8 ) Entering online bride-to-be contests
There are so many sweepstakes online for you to enter now that you’re getting married. There are honeymoons to be won and dream weddings to be had. I’m still in shock over my winning of my Simon G engagement ring which my fiance and I won through an online voting contest. Start Googling!
9) Being able to introduce your boyfriend/girlfriend now as your fiance
There’s something special in the word “fiance.” Maybe it’s how fancy it sounds or just how you’ll only get to call your significant other that for a short amount of time. Regardless, it’s a real treat to introduce them to new people as your fiance and showing off the ring. It never gets old.
10) Planning the wedding
While wedding planning can be difficult and stressful, it’s also a joyous occasion and process you’ll only have during this special time. It’s also fun to get the families together and help with the planning. If you’re lucky, maybe your fiance will help as well.
What’s your favorite part of your engagement?
Nikki
