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?

Man-gagement Rings

April 5, 2012

Whether it’s a same-sex couple popping the question, or a brave lady proposing to her guy, man-gagement rings are not just a trend. Although most luxury jewelers aren’t yet marketing their rings as “man-gagement” rings, here are two of my picks from Harry Winston and Michael C. Fina’s wedding band collection.

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.

Best TV Marriage Proposals

February 1, 2012

Tis the season for marriage proposals with Valentine’s Day around the corner!  In honor of all of the lucky couples out there, I’ve compiled a list of the top TV marriage proposals. As you can see, many of them stray from my typical proposal do’s and don’ts, but through the magic of TV, all of them are still wonderful and still perfect, because she says yes!

1. Jim & Pam from The Office.  My personal favorite – nothing was perfect and yet it was still perfect.

2. Charlotte & Harry from Sex and the City.  No ring, no plan but all kinds of love!

3. Monica & Chandler from Friends. Proof that the proposal doesn’t have to start with the man! Click here for the clip.

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.

A Brilliant Marriage Proposal: Matt & Missy’s Video

January 3, 2012

Enjoy the video from Matt & Missy’s engagement that I designed and planned as The Proposal Planner.  Video courtesy of our friends at Pap the Question. Check out all the photos from their amazing day here.  Want a marriage proposal like this?  Call us at 917.974.4729 or email at sarah@brillianteventplanning.com.

Featured in the New York Times!

December 27, 2011

I’m so honored to be featured in the Christmas Day Sunday Styles section of the New York Times! Stay tuned for more photos, video and details from Matt & Missy’s engagement and click here to read the article.

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.