I spent considerable time debating whether or not I wanted to share the story of our proposal on this blog. The trend these days towards elaborate, pay-a-professional-photographer-to-capture-the-moment engagements is just not me and E, and not how it happened. Not that there’s anything wrong with those proposals! But, we didn’t have anyone following us waiting for the moment, it didn’t happen in front of a crowd, and in fact, we didn’t really take any pictures until the next day.
Still, it was such a great day–full of so many wonderful, Venetian-and-Italian moments, in addition to the proposal, that I couldn’t resist sharing a little bit of it with you.
It was our third day in Venice, and I was well smitten with the city at this point. I defy you to not be in awe the minute you see Venice from a distance, and if not then, the minute you step out of the train station and hop into a water bus. The day before, we’d traveled to the charming little islands of Murano and Burano, and I was ready for another full day in Venice.
We started the day off with the fantastic breakfast offered at our hotel, the Hotel Bel Sito. While we didn’t have the most comfortable bed (and our room was small, albeit charming) the breakfast at this hotel inspires me to recommend it to you. Endless coffee, served in a silver pot! Panna cotta! Fresh yogurt! At least three varieties of eggs! So much bread! I think my favorite thing about Italy was the food–I can only name one “bad” meal and even that one was just not that terrible.
After our glorious breakfast, we headed out to explore. I purposefully did not do extensive research on Venice, mostly because I didn’t have time. I still found many things for us to do and see, because I’m anal like that, but I knew we also needed the time to relax. While it may seem like I bounce around Europe traveling, my teaching schedule is actually quite grueling! And Venice is the perfect place to explore yet relax.
So, we wandered. We started with a long, leisurely boat trip in a water bus (a great way for a self-guided tour!). We stopped in for a slice of our favorite pizza, had some gelato, wandered by endless charming alleys, visited the famous Bridge of Sighs…then went home and took a nap. It was our vacation, after all.
After our nap, per Margo’s recommendation, we wandered over to the Rialto Bridge for sunset and the photographer’s dream, blue hour. The actual Rialto Bridge was a little more crowded than I would have liked, but we found some steps right on the Grand Canal which were a perfect viewing platform.
After the sunset, we went to Da Mamo (which Margo also recommends–that woman is a star!) and had an incredible, incredible meal. We snuck in just at opening, around 7PM, because we hadn’t made reservations. We grabbed a table and about three minutes later, the place was packed and there was a line–being grandparents who need to eat by 7PM pays off sometimes ;).
The meal was honestly one of the best of my life, and we had so much fun sampling everything we could think of. We ended with the most glorious tiramisu I have ever had (those ITALIANS! THEY KNOW FOOD!).
After this, we wandered around the empty, moon-soaked streets for awhile before ending up at a pier right by our hotel, marveling in the jewel-bright lights along the Grand Canal. There, E popped the question! It was so fun and romantic, under the moon and the stars, right by the Grand Canal, that I kind of went blank and can hardly remember the actual moment. Go figure. I will say I wasn’t completely surprised–we’ve been together for quite some time and have discussed marriage at length, plus Mr. E was acting all nervous (so cute)–but somehow, I still was completely shocked.
Afterwards, giddy, we decided we needed to celebrate. We were in Italy, in Venice, and we were engaged! Obvious.
So celebrate we did, with a glass of prosecco at the first bar we could find–one that weirdly looked like the inside of a yacht.
And that’s how we got engaged in Venice!
And now, we have a wedding date, too!
Linking up with Travel Tuesday.
Cute story! I love how he was nervous. And good for him for pulling it off and surprising you. Hope wedding planning isn’t too stressful.
Thanks, Natalye! Wedding planning isn’t the worst…but it’s much more fun to plan the honeymoon ;).
Awwww! What a great story…and what a lovely place to get engaged. I could look at photos of Venice all day – it’s one of my favourite places in the world.
It’s now on top of my list, too–it’s so amazing! Beautiful and unique :).
This is so cute! I love these kind of stories. These sounds so romantic!
Thanks, K! He definitely swept me off my feet 🙂 And so did Venice haha!
What a great story and congrats again! What a great place to get engaged! Venice will forever be a part of you guys 🙂
Thanks so much, Christine! I love that Venice will be even more special to us now 🙂
Sounds like a pretty fantastic day! Congratulations agin! I love this kind of story! Just the two of you, and the canals of Venice. Sounds pretty perfect to me!
Thanks, Caitlin! It was such a great day 🙂 I was already enamored with Venice so it just added a perfect cherry on top!
Cuuuute and so very exciting!! Venice will always be so close to your heart 🙂
Thanks, Marcella! So exciting 🙂 And I think Venice would always be special to me because I loved it so much…now even more so!
SO awesome! Congratulations!!
Thanks so much, Daisy! 🙂
Aww, sounds like a great day! And I love your ring!
Thanks, Kelly! I wasn’t sure about sharing but any chance to talk more about Venice :). I love my ring too–it’s my “adventure” ring because it’s small and simple. Who wants a giant rock on their finger when they’re galavanting all over Europe, haha?
Wow Amy – the ring is so unusual, that is beautiful!! Tiramasu followed by a proposal sounds pretty perfect in my eyes!
Thanks, Holly! I love it because it’s unusual 🙂 it’s my “adventure” ring according to E, because we would rather spend money on traveling, and who wants a huge ring when running around Europe?? 🙂
Oh what a wonderful story! I love Venice and I can only imagine how amazing that would have felt being proposed in Venice like that!
Thanks, Yvonne! It was amazing although I was kind of in shock…even now I’m like “wait, we got engaged…in Venice? For real?” lol 😉
That’s such a cute story! I personally don’t like the big engagement, big wedding things with all the cameras … so this sounds absolutely amazing 🙂 And god now I want tiramisu!!
The tiramisu there is KILLER. I can’t even believe it haha, I keep dreaming about it! And I don’t like the giant engagements and weddings either where every move needs to be put on film…I like proof but not THAT much proof 😉 I think it’s more special that most of our story is just for us!
So glad to hear this story! I feel like it fits you both to a T and is such a great memory for you both! Can’t wait to celebrate with you in person! LOVE YOU
Thanks so much! Love you too 🙂 Can’t wait to see you in just a few months!!!
Nawwwwh how adorable! So excited for you guys 🙂
Thanks, Jessi! 🙂
I think it’s even more fun to share the stories that aren’t the typical ones 🙂 Sounds like it was just perfect for you guys!
Thanks, Kerri! I think it was perfect for us, too 🙂
That is such a romantic proposal story!! I am so glad you shared it…. you have me now going to look up details about getting to Venice! I would definitely be going to Margo’s guide if I had limited time too, haha. Any hints about when the wedding date is? 😉 (this year? next year? spring?)
You MUST go to Venice! We got a really cheap flight from Prague for some random days in March…I think off season is the way to go (and to avoid the crowds). And thank you!! I’m excited. We’ll be getting married in October! I feel kind of insane for doing it so soon but it just worked out schedule wise so…why not? Of course, I thought that before I realized that there’s a REASON most engagements last a year or so ;). I will be looking at your wedding-planning-from-abroad tips!! Also, yours is so soon!!! Exciting 🙂
What a great story, and such a romantic setting! You’re ring is beautiful!
Thanks so much, Laura! It’s definitely unique which is why I love it, but my mom was like “where’s the diamond??” lol 😉
I am SO glad you shared this. What a beautiful story! So happy for you both. <3
Aww thank you so much, Ashley! I was a little nervous about sharing it but I’m glad I did, I will want to have a record of this story! Thanks for your sweet support 🙂 xo
It’s a beautiful proposal story! All the best with the wedding plans x
Thanks so much, Natalie! So far they are both fun and a total nightmare…so many many choices 🙂 xo