Something Bleu: "The Proposal's Evolution"

I’m not sure because I wasn’t on the Earth then, but I imagine proposals of yesteryear included a gentleman suitor asking his beloved’s father for her hand in marriage. After the stoic father responded with an affirmative, the young lad would gently lead the object of his affection to the garden courtyard where he would profess his love and ask her hand in marriage. After that, he would slay a dragon or two.

Today, proposals are often a lot more informal but increasingly more diverse. Since Venetia and I started Tempest Bleu several years ago, we’ve seen an increase in young men wishing to propose to their lady love in a unique way. This resurgence of love was celebrated by folks around the country.. really around the world… when Robert proposed to Keisha at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta almost a year ago. Calls poured in to Tempest Bleu from guys hoping to propose in a custom-tailored way.

One of our favorites and most recent was Shawn Chin-Chance. Shawn wanted a true New York City experience for his girlfriend. They had dated for several years after meeting at an Old Navy in NYC but had never really experienced the city together. Shawn asked us to help him pull off the huge task of organizing a day’s worth of activities for himself and Roni – all of it to be captured by our favorite photographer, Ross Oscar Knight.

We suggested using Roni's work as a photographer for Women’s Day to stage a mock photo shoot of top chefs in NYC. After selecting the place -- The London NYC Hotel and Gordon Ramsey’s Restaurant (Hell’s Kitchen) and the music, her fave Alicia Keyes; we were ready to help Shawn pull everything together. We helped him to organize activities that would mean the most to them. We suggested he include Old Navy – afterall it was the place they met. The couple bounced around several sites including StoryCorp to permanently capture their special story in the Library of Congress. After more touring of the city, they ended at Billie’s Black where friends and family greeted them.

Most people would agree that the wedding day is all about the bride. For wedding proposals, we truly enjoy giving the groom his opportunity to shine as he professes his love to the woman of his dreams.

To view the photos of this magnificent proposal, please visit: http://www.rossoscarknightphotography.net/2008/03/shawn-roni-nyc-proposal-and-real-deal.html

*Next Up: Meet our first of many Guest Bloggers, Niles Gray as he pontificates about why some men avoid event planning careers.