Brilliant Blog

The Proposal Planner: Robert & Mariela

May 18, 2012

Robert wanted to propose to Mariela on Valentine’s Day with her friends and family, so I designed a proposal concept inspired by their hopes and dreams for the future and found an inventive way to incorporate everyone into the experience.

The happy couple arrived to Ca Va for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, but when Mariela stepped into the private dining room, she was surprised by about 30 of her closest friends and family.  One by one, each person stepped forward and presented her with a  specially-wrapped gift.  A book on starting a small business gave her advice on the day care she plans to open, a photo of her with her mother represented the couple taking care of their families in the future, a garter tucked into a beach-themed box represented the laid-back, beachfront wedding they envisioned.

After she unwrapped each gift, he explained how he envisioned their future together, and got down on his knee to pop the question!  Mariela said yes and the couple enjoyed a celebratory dinner with their whole family.  Congratulations to Robert & Mariela!  Thanks to Sofia Negron for the fantastic photos, stay tuned for the video.

Angelina Jolie’s Engagement Ring

May 2, 2012

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (aka Brangelina) are engaged! What do you think of her custom-designed engagement ring: love it or leave it?

The Proposal Planner: Ange & Laurie

March 29, 2012

Ange wanted to propose to his princess, Laurie.  I drew inspiration from the  famed Rockefeller Family,  the closest thing to American royalty. As legend has it, one of the most elaborate Rockefeller parties involved each guest receiving a small silver trowel upon arrival. At the center of the dinner table was a long, low vase shaped like a trough, filled with sand.  Each guest used their trowel to dig into the sand and find their gift – a perfectly cut ruby, emerald  or diamond.

We began Laurie’s princess marriage proposal with a shopping spree at Bergdorf’s. Upon returning to their suite, Laurie was surprised by a professional hair & makeup artist – all with the decoy of it being part of their preparation for a fancy evening out. They made their way up to the penthouse and and saw a glass trough filled with crystals: inside she discovered a tiara, Queen Mary Louboutin heels and finally, her ring!  Tears of joy accompanied Laurie’s “Yes!” and an incredible dinner at Le Cirque followed. Thanks to Maggie Harkov for the incredible photos.

Non-Traditional Engagement Rings

February 29, 2012

Getting engaged to a truly unique woman?  Think outside the traditional engagement ring box and consider the other types of incredible rings.  I recently planned a dream marriage proposal inspired by a non-traditional engagement ring, the Orchid Ring from Cartier.  Whether it’s a ruby stunner like this one from Van Cleef & Arpels or the “Toi & Moi” ring from Chopard, be sure that your engagement ring choice reflects the unique personality of your lucky lady.

Featured in the UK Daily Mail!

January 17, 2012

I am thrilled to be featured in an article about proposal planning in one of the UK’s biggest papers, the Daily Mail! For the complete article, please click here.

Featured in the Chicago Tribune

December 8, 2011

I was honored to be interviewed by the Chicago Tribune for an article on marriage proposal planning, check out the article here.

Sex and the City Marriage Proposal

October 26, 2011

Hayden asked me to plan a dream marriage proposal for his vivacious girlfriend, Julie. Her day was inspired by her favorite show, Sex and the City. It all started with a knock on the front door.  She had expected to go to the Hamptons for the day for Hayden’s work party but instead, she was greeted with a velvet box containing her first clue, and photo of a gold name necklace. Just like Carrie in Sex and the City, she would find her true love when she found her gold name necklace.

We whisked her off to Barneys where a personal stylist had pre-selected 10 different shoes for her to choose from.  The next clue, “Sexy for Sexy,” brought us to La Perla Lingerie.  The entire second floor was reserved just for Julie and she had her pick of the entire store.  The next stop was a suite at the renowned Standard Hotel.

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River, she was pampered with hair & makeup in anticipation of a photo shoot. She snacked on Magnolia cupcakes and bubbly and then hopped back into her car.  Before blindfolding her, she read her last clue “Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours.”  The car pulled away and we drove a winding route through the city.

Upon arriving at her final destination, Julie – still blindfolded – walked right through a major photoshoot and a barrage of paparazzi-style tourists.  When Hayden removed her blindfold, they were within the oak walls of Pierre Cartier’s private office at Cartier’s Fifth Avenue Salon.  Surrounded by white rose petals, Hayden proposed and Julie said “Yes.”  Later that evening, during dinner at Daniel, he handed her the gold name necklace – she found her true love.

Congratulations to Julie & Hayden! Spectacular photos by Mariann of Blue Daisy.

A Brilliant Proposal: Vince & Sooah, The Video

August 23, 2011

Now that you’ve seen the pictures from Vince & Sooah’s NYC engagement story, check out the video – courtesy of 15 Minutes of Frame!

sooah + vince (proposal) from 15 Minutes of Frame on Vimeo.

Engagement Ideas with Hearts On Fire

August 19, 2011

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be joining forces with Hearts On Fire, the folks who produce the world’s most perfectly cut diamond, to provide engagement advice next week via a Facebook Live Chat! Log onto the Hearts on Fire facebook page at 3pm EST on Wednesday, August 24th and I’ll give you no-holds-barred answers to all of your engagement and marriage proposal questions. Can’t wait to see you there!

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Alternative Marriage Proposal Idea

July 18, 2011

Some girls love heels, others love flip flops. But for the girl who loves sneaks, here’s a great marriage proposal idea for an engagement that will knock her kicks off. It’s creative, thoughtful and unique and goes to show that making a statement with a marriage proposal doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive, it just needs to be personal and as special as the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Want a marriage proposal idea as cool as this? Give us a call and we’ll develop something personalized and creative especially for you!

Courtesy of SneakerWatch.