Christmas Eve, 24th December 2011 – Adam took me out for a surprise breakfast, saying it would be nice to do this every Christmas Eve together as a new tradition of ours. During a walk along our local beach, Adam proposed.
The Proposal
Not knowing where I was being driven, we ended up at our local beach, where we practically spent the whole Summer on our days off together. On the seafront stands a beautiful 18th century Victorian house - now a hotel - overlooking the English channel, where Adam had arranged our special Christmas Eve breakfast...
Before going in, we decided to take a walk along the front as it was such a beautiful, sunny (and freezing cold!) day. During our walk, Adam proposed and presented me with a beautiful diamond ring.
He didn’t go down on one knee.
But after asking me if he should have, and after I teased him he should have done it properly, he got down on one knee.
And asked me again.
There were lots of tears, and I said YES!
We had a wonderful breakfast in the hotel – of tea and chocolate cake ( yes, he knows me too well!) and went home to my family where champagne and strawberries were waiting for us (he had asked my Dad for my hand a month before!). It was a truly special Christmas Eve.
The Ring
The ring is a bespoke-made Rose Gold engagement ring, a single white diamond to the centre with 6 claws holding it. The design is very contemporary, with the unusual Rose Gold offering a vintage feel. Adam chose Rose Gold because I have a beautiful necklace left to me by my Nan which is Rose Gold with a Smoky Quartz stone, which I absolutely adore.
He had the ring especially made at Ortwin Thyssen – a handmade bespoke jewellers, in Canterbury, Kent. Chosen because Adam liked the fact it was a local independent company – and that it was very much like my own business. Their workshop is situated inside the showroom, so you can view the jewellery being made before you.
Adam had a consultation with Ortwin to discuss the design of my ring; he even showed me design drawings, which was really touching - and being a designer, lovely to see!
On my birthday in January, we went to get the ring re-sized as it was a fraction too big. Now it fits me perfectly! I fell in love with the shop on my first visit – it was wonderful to meet Ortwin and to view beautiful jewellery being made!
I’ll be writing many more blog posts - I am so excited to share many of our wedding plans and details here on the Atelier Rousseau blog in due course. Meanwhile, you can follow our wedding day inspiration and ideas on our Pinterest board – which is updated almost daily!
Charlotte xo