A month has passed since Jay asked me to be his wife, so I figured it was time that I shared with you all how he popped the question and made the moment so special for me!
Around a month before Jay proposed, he called me and told me that he booked a spa weekend for us during Christmas Eve weekend at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. Initially, I was a little hesitant because we wouldn't be coming home until Christmas Eve, which has always been an evening of celebration for our family, but was I really going to pass up a spa weekend with my man? ;)
We arrived at the Grove Park, which was filled with Christmas carolers, gingerbread houses, Christmas trees, and massive fireplaces. The atmosphere immediately filled me with the Christmas spirit, and we enjoyed a nice dinner together at the hotel before we went to bed. The next morning, we woke up and enjoyed a couple's massage and all of the spa amenities before we had to get ready to go to The Biltmore House, which is ultimately America's version of a castle.
When we arrived we were told that we were going to receive a grand tour of the house and get to see things that most people do not get to see on the basic tour. Being a blogger, I was like "Ahhhhh this is so exciting!! Can I take pictures?" Our guide smiled (a bit mischievously, I must add) and said that I could. He led us directly to the winter garden in the center of the room and everyone in the house gathered around wondering why we were in a roped off area in the house. I started to take a picture of the beautiful poinsettias and greenery surrounding us when Jay pulled me aside and told me that he wrote something for me for Christmas. He read me the most beautiful and poetic letter, and about halfway through I realized he was proposing and the waterworks started! When he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him I screamed, "YES!" The crowd that had gathered around us starting cheering enthusiastically, and I noticed that some people were even recording us on their cell phones. We were probably the stars of several snapchat stories that day haha!
After Jay and I had our blissful romantic moment I realized that I had not even looked at the ring that he put on my finger. When I paused to look my mouth dropped as I gazed at my dream ring (insert heart eyes emoji here ;)).
Little did I know, there was someone there to capture our special moment, and we were immediately led out on the estate grounds to take our engagement photos.
I had chipped my nails at the spa that morning and we had walked in the rain on our way to the Biltmore, so my nails were not picture perfect and my bouncy curls turned into a straight frizzy mess. Every girl dreams of looking perfect for that moment, but let me tell you, it does not even matter! All I cared about was the special moment with the man that I was going to spend the rest of my life with.
I had chipped my nails at the spa that morning and we had walked in the rain on our way to the Biltmore, so my nails were not picture perfect and my bouncy curls turned into a straight frizzy mess. Every girl dreams of looking perfect for that moment, but let me tell you, it does not even matter! All I cared about was the special moment with the man that I was going to spend the rest of my life with.
After our photoshoot, we relaxed with some warm cider and bought an ornament to commemorate our engagement. I was so excited to call our families and friends to fill them in on the excitement, but Jay would not let me! I couldn't understand why, but he said it would be so much more exciting to tell them tomorrow at the Christmas Eve party. Little did I know, Jay had more surprises planned for the evening.
I reluctantly agreed and then we left to go to his friend's Christmas party at The Inn On Biltmore Estate. Jay's friend had texted us a month ago inviting us to a party there that evening, which is why I wasn't really expecting for Jay to propose to me that day.
I reluctantly agreed and then we left to go to his friend's Christmas party at The Inn On Biltmore Estate. Jay's friend had texted us a month ago inviting us to a party there that evening, which is why I wasn't really expecting for Jay to propose to me that day.
When we arrived at the Inn, Jay led us to a private room where the party was supposedly happening, but when I opened the door it was silent and I couldn't see anyone, so I assumed we were walking into the wrong room. Then all at once I heard, "SURPRISE!!!" and both of our families were there along with my best friend, Emmy, and the same photographer that was taking photos of us during our engagement. Let me tell you, the waterworks started AGAIN as we hugged our loved ones, and my bestie was jumping up and down screaming when she saw my ring - haha! Jay also had Emmy take me to get my nails done earlier in the week for the engagement, which I also didn't suspect because she was a bridesmaid for a wedding that same day.
We then sat down to the table for champagne and a four course meal with personalized menus that read, "Ward Proposal Dinner". After the dinner we all celebrated and enjoyed each other's company with drinks until around 1 am, and then continued the celebration by surprising the rest of our family over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Jay could not have made our engagement any more special (or full of surprises) and now we are just filled with excitement about planning our wedding, and of course spending the rest of our lives together. I can't thank God enough for this man, and I can't wait to see where He leads us on our journey through life together.
If you're engaged or married, leave me a comment down below sharing your special story. I am a sucker for a good love story! Also, let me know if you would like to see any wedding content on the blog!
*All photos were taken by Rachael McIntosh Photography
