Morin-Mendoza wedding

NAMES Melinda Morin and Freddy Mendoza

OCCUPATIONS She’s an accountant and he’s a finish carpenter

THEY LIVE IN Terrace Heights

THEY MET at a party in 2001: “Freddy told me that he knew the moment that he saw me that I was “the one.”

HE PROPOSED on the observatory deck at the Space Needle. “Our kids were with us, which made the moment so much more meaningful.”

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION WERE HELD at Apple Tree Resort

NUMBER OF GUESTS “I planned for 225 … we ended up having 300 — the more the merrier right?”

NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS 10 COLORS WERE Los Angeles Lakers purple “It’s the only way I could get Freddy motivated for the color purple), white, silver and black

TRADITIONAL OR UNUSUAL? A little of both. “I wanted to make sure that we embraced both our cultures: the Hispanic side and the Asian side.”

THEY MADE fun favors from take-out boxes that were filled with trinkets like personalized chopsticks and Vero lollipops

EVERYBODY LOVED “the food!” Apple Tree created an Asian/Mexican fusion menu that “did not disappoint.”

FAVORITE MOMENT The sand ceremony, which representing the blending of a family. “It was important to us that the kids know that they [are] just as much a part of this union.”

THEY SPENT THEIR WEDDING NIGHT at Apple Tree’s “Stay and Play” house, which overlooks the golf course

THEY WERE JOYFUL BECAUSE of the many people who traveled to be with them. “There have been so many people that have been rooting for us and to have them there on our big day—words cannot express our gratitude.”

Catering: Apple Tree Resort, Yakima (509) 966-7140
Photography: Sara Lasha, serendipityphotography-nw.com, Yakima (509) 834-0121
Flowers: Sandy at Kameo Flower Shop, (509) 453-7166

Flower vases: Save On Crafts, www.save-on-crafts.com

Invitations: Michael’s (printable invitations), Union Gap (509) 452-6484

Save-the-date magnets: www.vistaprint.com

Chair/table covers: Ellen’s Chair Covers, www.ellenschaircovers.com

Wedding gown: Bellevue Bridal (425) 451-1041

Attendants gowns: Calypso’s Bridal, Yakima (509) 469-4969
Rings: www.myjewelrybox.com (hers), www.perryolsen.com (his)

Shoes: Advantage Bridal, www.advantagebridal.com (hers); Lin-Paul’s, Yakima (509) 248-6191 (his)

Tuxes: Lin-Paul’s

Jewelry: Shannon Love, shannonlealove@gmail.com Yakima
Hair & makeup: Tami Davis (hair), Bella Salon, Yakima (509) 457-4400

Cake: Rosauers, Yakima (509) 972-2327

Favor Boxes: Uline, www.uline.com

 

 

Matson-Pelley wedding

NAMES Hillary Matson and Carlos Pelley

THEY LIVE IN Ellensburg, where they attend Central Washington University

AND MET through friends when they were 15 – on the phone

THEY GOT HITCHED on Aug. 14, 2010 at Holy Family Chapel in Yakima

NUMBER OF GUESTS 24

NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS 4

FAVORITE PART OF THE CEREMONY was the harpist, a friend. “It really added a peaceful, dreamy effect to the ceremony.”

COLORS WERE Bright pink and yellow

THE RECEPTION WAS HELD in the Avanti Room at Zesta Cucina. “Everything was delicious.”

INSTEAD OF A WEDDING CAKE guests had a choice between a blueberry cheesecake or strawberries devonshire

DECORATIONS INCLUDED simple tulle accents and icicle lights, since the room already had a rustic look. “Romantic,” says the bride.

FIRST DANCE was a waltz Phantom of the Opera’s “That’s All I Ask of You.”

THEY HONEMOONED IN Seaside, Oregon

THE COUPLE’S WEDDING PHILOSOPHY To keep it simple and focus on details, with just close family and friends. “Everything from the colors to the food was our choice. I could tell everyone was having a great time and was happy for us, and that really made the day the best it could be.”

 

Hillary & Carlos’ resources:

 

Catering: Zesta Cucina, Yakima (509) 972-2000
Photography: Kristen Urlacher
Flowers: Design Artistry, Yakima (509) 577-9253
Invitations: Michael’s (printable invitations), Union Gap (509) 452-6484
Wedding gown: David’s Bridal, Kennewick (509) 735-3250
Attendants’ gowns: Macy’s.com
Rings: passed down by Carlos’s parents
Shoes: Michael’s (white ballet slippers), Union Gap (509) 452-6484
Father of the Bride’s tux: Steve Goodwin The Haberdasher, Yakima (509) 248-9862
Hair & makeup: The Gazebo, Yakima (509) 453-8226
Music: Erin Kreutz, Ellensburg (509) 962-4614
Cake: Zesta Cucina served blueberry cheesecake or strawberries devonshire, Yakima (509) 972-2000

Fickel-Poeggel wedding

NAMES Kelsey Megan Fickel and Eric Dustin Poeggel

OCCUPATIONS She’s an office assistant at Fickel & Son Construction, Inc., and he works at R.P. Lewis Construction

THEY LIVE in Yakima

THEY MET through close friends about six years ago

HE PROPOSED on a lake in his boat at sunset. “I said I was cold and asked him if he had an extra sweatshirt.” He said he didn’t, but gave her a ring instead.

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION WERE HELD at Maison de Padgett Winery in Zillah

THEME was all about wine. “We got personalized wine corks and wine labels with our pictures on them.”

NUMBER OF GUESTS 350-400

NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS 10

COLORS were dark chocolate brown and a deep teal

HER DRESS was her sister in law’s. “Something special between her and me.”

FAVORITE MOMENT walking down the aisle with her father while looking into her fiance’s “beautiful blue eyes.”

ANOTHER FAVORITE MOMENT sharing a quiet laugh with her dad as her “super high heels” dug into the grass

WHAT MADE THE DAY SPECIAL the Photobox.  “That was definitely a highlight – and everyone got to take their pictures from the Photobox home, so it doubled as a great wedding favor for everyone to take with them.”

GETAWAY CAR a 1976 cherry red Camero

THE COUPLE HONEYMOONED IN Cancun, Mexico

 

 

Catering: Classic Events Catering, Yakima (509) 307-1392
Photography: Michael Fisk Photography, Yakima (509) 575-5337
Videography: Alex Lunstrum, Yakima (509) 952-3943
Flowers: Blooming Elegance, Yakima (509) 945-4221

Invitations: Wemade them ourselves. Paper and vellum from Craft Warehouse and Michaels.

Rings: Costco Jewelers (hers), Morgan Jewelers (his)
Tuxes: Lin-Paul’s Bridal & Tuxedos
Hair & makeup: Done by close friends

Music: Entertainment Plus Disk Jockey Service, Yakima/Ellensburg (509) 575-5657
Cake: Kerri’s Cakes, Yakima (509) 945-5561

Flower Power: Flower Trends for 2011

Selecting the right flowers is one of the biggest decisions a couple makes when planning a wedding. And it’s not just the flowers—it’s the all-important question of color.

The good news is, it looks like more and more brides—and grooms—are deciding to follow their own style, and that means there are many more options on the table.

“This year in general, most of the brides are putting their own personal flare on the flowers,” says Melia Younker, who owns Melia’s Floral in Yakima.

Some are using rhinestones to add some “bling.” More romantic girls, says Younker, are working garden flowers and feathers, while more “new age” brides tend to experiment with artistic styles.

Younker said Peonies were a springtime favorite, but garden roses are taking over this summer and fall. As for colors, well, the more the merrier.

“Colors are all over the board, really,” she says. “Not one particular color stands out more than the other.”

Younker has had orders containing anything from bright purples to yellow and pink.

Lori Osborn, owner of Blooming Elegance in Yakima, has also noticed the change in color preferences this year. While 2010 was a popular year for brown, this year weddings are coming alive with more intense colors.

“Weddings this year are kind of different,” Osborn says. “A lot of brides this year are going more with lots of colors,” especially purple, red, and orange.

Sometimes, says Osborn, all of these colors are used in one arrangement.

Big changes year to year are expected, Osborn says. This year many of her clients are using lilies and Gerbera daisies as well.

“I don’t know if it’s [from] magazines, or just personal preference, but every year there’s something that’s kind of a pattern,” Osborn says.

The shift could also have to do with more options being available.

“There are so many more ideas out there now than 10 to 15 years ago,” says Younker, who agrees that expanding choices might be due to the influence of magazines and wedding “reality” shows on television.

“Girls are putting their personalities in it,” she continues. “A couple years ago, it was pretty traditional, but each year it’s getting more exciting. Their personalities are coming out.”

Fall offers plenty of texture, Younker says, no matter if you stick to deeper fall tones or go with bright colors.

“So many things are in bloom in the fall,” she says. “Beautiful berries and dahlias are popular, and cool grasses. You really get interesting textures in the fall you cannot get throughout the rest of the year.”

 By Scott Klepach Jr.

Yakima Valley Bride Magazine asked this question on Facebook:

“Yakima brides-to-be…what flowers are you using at your wedding?”

 

Here are some of the responses:

 

Cynthia P.: “Gerbera daisies My favorite!’

 

Lindsay W.: “Dahlias! & Sunflowers!”

 

Kalea H.: “Peonies!”

 

Leslie M.: “Hot chocolate mini callas, lavendar roses “Cool Water” to be exact, lavendar alstro, white freesia and green trachelium!”

 

Celebrate Your Big Day … with Cupcakes

Cupcakes aren’t just for the little ones anymore. In fact, these delectable morsels can pack fun, versatility and elegance into one small but heavenly punch.

Folks began to use cupcakes for special occasions — including weddings — several years ago, but they’re hotter than ever now.

“It’s a trend. It’s been around for a couple of years, but it’s not showing signs of going away any time soon,” says Janice Richards, who just opened Yakima’s Mon Petit Gateau Cupcakery in April.

Richards says she believes cupcakes are popular today because they are a way of reclaiming the nostalgia of our youth.

“It’s a fun little dessert,” she says. “It reminds you when you were a kid. It’s a feel-good comfort food.”

And they’re also great for big occasions. Richards has seen a variety of uses for cupcakes at weddings. Some couples offer a small cake at the top tier of a cake display, with cupcakes filling out the rest of the tiers below.

Cupcakes are economical as well as versatile, Richards says, so couples can provide a variety of flavors and special selections, such as gluten-free desserts. Plus, you don’t have to cut cupcakes, and guests can eat more than one.

“We’ve had a lot of people order for bridal showers and weddings more and more,” says Lana Wharton of Truly Scrumptious Bakery in Yakima’s Track 29 shopping center.

Wharton says her most popular flavor is red velvet followed by coconut cream. But orders for weddings and bridal showers run the flavor gamut. For one shower she made chocolate cupcakes filled with fresh strawberries and cream with a strawberry topping. Wharton offers vegan and gluten-free varieties as well.

Yakima’s Lisa Rembold started Sweetie Pie Baby Cakes after selling her restaurant Café Melange last year.  In a previous Yakima Herald-Republic article Rembold said that one of her favorite things to do at the restaurant was experiment with different desserts.

Rembold stocks cupcakes at The Garden Girl’s Kitchen in downtown Yakima, and she says that lemon cupcakes are a favorite of her customers right now. She also makes vegan and sugar-free cupcakes, using organic ingredients as much as possible. Her fondant cupcakes are tiny works of art.

While cupcakes are popular, cheesecake may take, well, the cake. But what if you could have the best of both worlds?

“Cheesecake’s kind of a trend right now,” says Elizabeth Fitzgerald, the administrator at St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Christian School. The school has begun making cheesecake cupcakes as a way to raise funds for its scholarships and operations. And it just so happens that they are delicious and becoming quite popular. St. John’s offers two sizes of cupcakes: the standard cupcake size, which is 3.5 oz., and a smaller truffle cupcake, which is 1 oz. Wedding couples can also select one of St. John’s “take away” cakes to freeze until their first anniversary. That cake is heavier than what you’d find in a cupcake, and is six inches round.

Denser than a typical cupcake, St. John’s cheesecakes are rich and decadent. But if you’re asking us, any cupcake is worth a taste test.

 

Mon Petit Gateau Cupcakery

(Facebook)

509-307-1880

Cost: $2/ea. regular; $2.50/ea. filled; $3/ea. jumbo; $3.50/ea. filled

 

 

Sweetie Pie Baby Cakes

Sweetiepiebabycakesyakima.com

509-654-0134

Cost: $12/dozen and up

 

St. John’s Cheesecakes

stjohnkronstadt.org

509-452-0177

Cost: Half dozen for $12; price break for larger orders; discount for military and Yakima Chamber of Commerce members

 

Truly Scrumptious Bakery

(Facebook)

509-823-9390

Cost: $1/ea. mini, $2/ea. standard, $3/ea. jumbo

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

If you’re a bride planning her wedding, I’ll bet you’ve heard — much like I did when I was planning my own — mountains of advice from well-meaning friends and family. 

I have found that the advice one receives when getting married pales only in comparison to the advice one receives when pregnant (egads).  But don’t shut your ears to all of it — there’s at least one gem out there.  In my opinion, it’s one of the tired clichés that still bears repeating: Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Blech, right?

But before you turn the page, let me tell you a little story about a wedding full of “small stuff.”

Last year my 40 year-old brother, Chris, announced that he’d like to marry his young fiancée, Rachel, at my parents’ house in Yakima.  He wanted a very small family affair — maybe 20 people.  To top it off, he wanted my mom and me to plan it. Chris didn’t have many requests, and Rachel, whom he met while on a vacation in the Philippines, didn’t either. They live in Alaska, so it was really up to us. Yay!

My mom — a consummate party thrower and decorator — and I were giddy. It was like we were playing “wedding shop” or something.  How fun, right?  I think I even said out loud, “A wedding in two months?  WHAT COULD GO WRONG?”  Or something equally as ridiculous.

My mom and I spent evenings musing on how we’d decorate, what music we’d choose for the ceremony and the reception, the food, the flowers…all the fun cutesie stuff.

We planned to use my parents’ backyard for the ceremony (won’t the fountain be darling? we thought) and move the reception indoors. We’d decorate with simple aisle markers and different vases filled with uncomplicated flowers, like hydrangeas.  The food would be catered — Chris and Rachel’s only request was to include a nod to Rachel’s Filipino culture — so that would be simple too.  My dear friend Karri, who is an amazing cook and baker, would make the cake — three tiers of coconut!  My talented friend and colleague Chad would take the pictures. My husband, bless his heart, would be the officiant.  As soon as he got his certification online.  We hadn’t really done much except dream, but everything was going swimmingly.

Only it wasn’t.

Work for me the week prior to the wedding was tough: I was working on a project that required all of my attention.  At night, I was ordering napkins for the wedding and figuring out last-minute details — oh, and being a mommy to my 2 year-old.  My mom — a people pleaser who doesn’t know how to say “no” — was taking care of the “venue,” but she was also recovering from back surgery. She was, as usual, not complaining about some of her pesky pains … that were getting worse.

The Monday evening prior to the wedding I got a phone call while discussing cake details with Karri.  It was bad news: my grandma was in the hospital with what they thought was a stroke.  The next day I got my second phone call: my mom was in the hospital with complications from her surgery.

But wait, dear reader — it gets better.  Through some mind-blowing scheduling gaffe, I realized that I had also promised to volunteer at a fund raiser Friday night (the evening before the wedding), and my husband and I forgot that friends from out-of-town were planning to visit us that weekend … TO MAKE GRAPE JELLY IN OUR KITCHEN.

The craziest part by far, however, was that we decided to soldier on with the wedding.

We changed the venue to my house — my mom just wasn’t up to it, and we changed the day to Sunday instead of Saturday, to give us some extra time to clean up the grape stains from my white floor.  This screwed up my pre-printed napkins, but alas.

But herein lies my point: The napkins don’t matter.  The cake topper doesn’t matter.  Heck, not even the cake really matters (but it was good).  The important stuff is the people around you — your friends and your family.  In this case, my brother, whom I hardly ever get to see, and his new wife, both crying in my living room.

The big stuff is the marriage, the small stuff is the wedding.

As it turned out, my grandma’s stroke was minor, and both she and my mom were soon released from the hospital and on the mend.  And Chris and Rachel got married. No one saw — or at least cared — about the napkins’ imprint.  Or the fact that I was the DJ.  Or that my husband was the internet-endorsed officiant.  …or those grape stains.

None of that small stuff mattered to anybody.  Just the big stuff … a room full of love.

Ask Lisa Fall/Winter 2011

Q. I have long hair and I’m thinking I should wear it in some sort of updo, but I’d much rather wear it down and natural. I’m afraid that natural will look disheveled by the end of the day. Any recommendations?

 

A. This is your day, so don’t be afraid to wear your hair down!  What’s important is finding the right style for you. While thinking about your wedding day style take into consideration your face shape, hair length and your gown and headpiece. I suggest looking though a few magazines to find styles you like. Then schedule an appointment with your hairdresser at least a few weeks before your wedding for a trial run. Bring along your headpiece. Let him or her know that you want a natural look, but a style that can also stand up to a long day of picture taking and hugs. One style I would recommend is the half up, half down look. This style is universally flattering while still looking fairly effortless.

 

If you are doing your own hair or just want to make sure your stylist is using products that can keep you looking fresh all day, I recommend using the Nick Chavez Amazon Hair Body Building Spray ($19 at Ulta) and Nick Chavez Volumizing Extra Hold Spray ($23 at Ulta). Both products will hold your style and keep your hair looking wedding day perfect so you can enjoy your big day!

 

Q. My skin is very oily, and I’m afraid it will be too shiny for all my wedding-day pictures. What do I do?

 

A. Oily skin can be a challenge, but with a little preparation and the right products you can look great in your wedding photos.

 

After cleansing and your moisturizer, apply a lightweight primer. If you are quite oily, skip the moisturizer and go straight to primer. I love Pur Minerals’ primer. It gives your skin a silky feel, hides imperfections and keeps your makeup in place. Pur Minerals has a green tinted formula if your skin is on the ruddy side, too. Next step is to apply foundation and concealer as usual, then follow up with an oil-absorbing powder. An oil absorbing powder is essential to keeping shine down. I like Urban Decay’s De-Slick Mattifying Powder ($29 at Ulta). It’s lightweight and colorless and is amazing at soaking up oil!  It also comes in a pretty compact with a mirror and is great under and over your make-up.  Urban Decay also makes a spray version of De-Slick that you can use alone or in combination with the powder compact.  This is a makeup setting spray that won’t clog pores and cause breakouts. Partner these two products together for max oil absorption!

 

I also like Tarte’s Smooth Operator Micronized Finishing Powder ($28 at Ulta). This is a loose colorless powder that soaks up surface oils to mattify skin; just keep in mind this is a loose powder and not a compact, so it’s not quite as portable. Lastly, make sure you pack your make-up bag with oil-absorbing sheets for a quick touch-up. If you haven’t tried these wonderful little sheets yet, they are a must for those of us with oily skin. There’s quite a few different brands to choose from and honestly I haven’t found one that much different than the others.

 

Last but not least, if you need a quick de-shine and you’re all out of products, use a toilet seat cover!  Just tear, blot and shine is gone.  It’s a great trick and no one will be the wiser!

Cayabyab-Cowman wedding

Jeff & Amber – June 19, 2010

 

Names Amber Nastassja Cayabyab and Jeffery Matthew Cowman


What they do she’s an LPN at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, he’s a polysomnograph technician for Memorial’s sleep center 


They live in Yakima but they met as students at Washington State University

Ceremony was at First Presbyterian Church

Reception held at the Apple Tree Resort

Number of guests 200


Number of attendeants 13: five bridesmaids, five groomsmen, one flower girl, one ring bearer and our dog Panda

The 
Colors were purple and red


Getaway car was a 1941 Red Packard

They drove to their new condo, which friends decorated to their surprise

They 
Honeymooned at the Eldorado Royale on the Riviera Maya, Mexico.


 


The Proposal, as told by the couple

Jeff had purchased the engagement ring sometime in July and was waiting for the perfect time to drop down on one knee. He woke up on Nov. 11, 2008, with a lot of love in his heart and knowing that this would be the day. After a late morning workout, the two planned to take a drive through the mountains. Secretly, Jeff had ordered their favorite food from Olive Garden to-go. He covered the food with blankets to hide it, gassed up the car and placed the ring inside the power outlet. They left for the hills and ended up parking along the Little Naches River, where they went for a walk with their dog Panda. When they came back, Jeff handed Amber his phone and asked her to charge it for him. When Amber went to open the flap to plug in the phone the ring popped out. Meanwhile Jeff was already down on one knee waiting to ask the big question. Without any hesitation, Amber immediately said yes. Afterward they enjoyed the surprise dinner  underneath the stars. Since the couple didn’t have phone service to call and tell the good news, they had to wait an hour on the drive home before they could share their excitement.

 

Catering Apple Tree Resort

Wine Sageland Vineyards & Hyatt Winery

Photography Lucid Captures 425-444-2769


Flowers Unveiled 509-480-9652


Invitations Jordan, the bride’s brother 206-245-3483

Hotel for out of town guests Ledgestone & Howard Johnson.

Rentals Tent from Yakima Sol 206- 307-9945; Linens & décor from Unveiled 509-480-9652


Wedding gown Victoria’s Bridal Couture 206-362-3406

Wedding gown alterations Perfect Fit Bridal 509-457-1803

Attendant gowns Victoria’s Secret victoriassecret.com


Rings Dunbar Jewelers 509-457-5113


Shoes Bride zappos.com; Groom The Haberdasher 509-248-9862


Tuxes The Haberdasher


Hair Heather Hein at Blue Sage Salon 509-452-1251

Make up Kim Pottenger at Renewal Spatique 509-901-4055


Music Mills Production 509-941-7195


Cake Christie’s Cakes 509-961-5430

 

 

Special moments…

 

“We had sponsors, and a veil & cord ceremony – it was really important for my parents and myself to incorporate a combination of a traditional Christian wedding with my Filipino culture. My mom made the veil which made it even more special.”

 

“The weather however was a bit crummy … During the ceremony, everyone could hear it absolutely pouring outside! But as the ceremony ended, and we walked out of the church hand and hand, the clouds cleared up and it was beautiful and sunny outside for the rest of the day. Timing was perfect and luck was on our side!”

 

“We had a great game area that overlooked the view of the golf course; it was occupied at all times! It’s a tradition to play a game called washers at family get togethers on Jeff’s side or at camping trips with our friends.”

 

“My sorority sisters sang a song and passed a ‘loving cup’ filled with champagne, which is a tradition done at my sorority.”

 

“Before pulling out my garter, Jeff pulled out a rubber chicken and other miscellaneous things that I had no idea about! It was pretty hilarious.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Marriage Proposals

By Scott Klepach, Jr.

 

It was October 11, 2002, and my girlfriend Kimberly and I were celebrating our third anniversary as a couple. I booked a room at the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel in Seattle. That Friday we were heading to see the traveling Broadway version of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

We arrived in Seattle early that afternoon and dined at the hotel’s luxurious restaurant, The Georgian. With what seemed like the entire waiting staff catering to our every culinary wish, I felt like we were one step away from them singing “Be Our Guest” right at our table.

It wasn’t during dinner that I popped the question; instead, I had something else in store for her. A limousine picked us up after our multi-course dinner, and Norman, our limo driver, was in on the whole thing. By now it was getting dark as he drove us around to see downtown Seattle, the waterfront, and a glittering glimpse of the Space Needle.

The big moment was now at hand. As we cruised down the road to Paramount Theatre, Norman announced nonchalantly, “Let’s take a look at the coming attractions.” I tried to sound casual as I replied, “Oh, OK.” Several trees blocked the front of the theater, but as we pulled closer, I watched as Kimberly scanned the sizable marquee in front.

Its intense light penetrated nighttime Seattle with the simple yet profound question: “Kimberly, Will You Marry Me? Scott.”

At this point, I heard her sharp intake of breath, and that was my cue to swoop down on my knee in front of her on the floor of the limousine, and present her with the open green Dunbar Jewelers box containing her engagement ring.

After several choked-up attempts, she managed to say yes to me. It took her some time to gather her wits, and though she enjoyed the play later, she clearly had much more on her mind.

When we returned to the hotel, I had another surprise in store for her. In our suite, beyond the French doors to the bedroom, deep red rose petals were strewn out over the bed in the shape of a heart with others scattered on the floor and on the side tables.

I took Kimberly to see a play about a princess, but in the end I wanted her to feel like the princess that night, and eventually, my queen.

 

Marriage proposal ideas from other people:

 

Katy Carver: “My husband who is an east valley firefighter proposed to me during the union gap holiday lighted parade in 2006.”

 

Trent Fuehrer: “ring inside a glass Christmas ornament… kinda cliche, but she said yes.”

 

Aubrey Does: “With my grandmother’s ring in my apartment before we went out to dinner.”

 

Jeff Brown: “on the greenway where we watched fireworks on our first date (did not propose on our first date)”

 

Renee Navarrete: “at the back of a cave in the presence of a giant rodent.”

 

How Should I Propose?

Though it’s difficult to locate a time and place for the traditional marriage proposal, you might want to follow the tried-and-true method of bending down on one knee.

Yes, it’s formal and perhaps too antiquated for many, but here’s why it might be a good idea. Kneeling is common in historical ceremonies, ranging from religious traditions to receiving an honor or medal, or even being knighted. Bending down on one knee puts the kneeler in an open, vulnerable position – think of it as a physical sign that you are giving your all to your bride, include a lifetime of openness and servitude.

If kneeling isn’t your thing, don’t sweat it. It’s certainly not a requirement, and many people don’t propose on one or both knees anymore, but it’s not a bad choice to act on the side of tradition, especially when it shows such a sign of respect and honor!

 

Do I need to get permission before I propose?

Other questions might be swirling in your head besides the method of proposing. Do you ask the bride’s family beforehand for a blessing, or do you just go ahead and ask the bride-to-be?

Again, there’s no clear-cut answer since so many marriage proposals – and expectations of marriage proposals – have evolved over time and have arguably become more flexible. It’s not unheard of for women to pop the question as well.

 

Do you keep the proposal a surprise or let her in on the “secret”?

Even if you make the marriage proposal a surprise, chances are you are both already in the know beforehand, especially if you and your partner have figured out you’ll get married. Some couples even have the marriage date in mind before the actual proposal occurs.

Do you surprise her with a ring of your own choosing, or do you let her help you pick it out?  Get a feel for what she prefers. Some brides will trust her man and want the ring selection to be a complete surprise, while other brides might know exactly the ring they want, or more importantly, what is unacceptable.

Either way, get a feel for what your bride wants and move forward accordingly. Think about it: If you are ready to get married, you should already have a good idea of what will work and what won’t.