Destination NYC Marriage Proposal

We love a great proposal story, don’t you? These ladies are not only a happy couple but also a part of our local Central Florida wedding industry. When we saw this proposal on social media, we knew that we wanted to feature Hilda & Alea’s destination NYC marriage proposal story.

Share with us when and how you met each other.

We met on November 4, 2018, at Southern nightclub in Orlando, FL. I just came out of the closet in March 2018 and decided to join FB groups for support. My friend invited me to go out for the night but I was nervous since I’ve never been to a nightclub and a gay one at that. She told me people from the Facebook group will be there and I said okay cool.

Well, I met the 2 girls from the group and Alea happened to be 1 of them. All through the night she was so happy dancing the night away. I was so mesmerized. I bought her a shot but she thought nothing of it lol. The night came to an end.

That night I decided to look for her on FB. Little did I know her name is spelled differently and it took me over an hour to find her. I was so scared she wouldn’t add me so I sent her over 10 FB friend requests and deleted them every time until I fell asleep. I woke up and got notified that she approved me!!! We never spoke again. I would comment on her photos like “hey I go there. Enjoy your night.” Friendly things but she wouldn’t budge.

Fast forward 3 weeks later on November 28, 2018, her car broke down in front of my job door. I call that destiny. She came inside while I was working and she came inside my shop and I realized it was her! OMG!!! Talk about having nerves lol. I said her name and said do you remember me and she knew my name.

I was red like a tomato. She told me her car broke down and I said well I have AAA and I get off in 30 mins if you would like me to help you. She said I have my friends coming to help and I said okay cool. They arrived and she told them to leave and took up my offer!

Once off of work, I called they said 2.5 hrs until they arrive and I offered her a drink at a bar while we wait. After one too many mimosas, I confessed that I was into her A LOT. She had no idea and said she didn’t think a woman like me would want her. I said whattttt?!?!

We planned our 1st date for the week after. We then continued talking and getting to know each other for over 4 hrs. After that night we started talking on the phone for over 8 hrs a day and it was history from then on.

What are your favorite things to do together as a couple?

We love to play pool, darts, bowling, museums but most of all KARAOKE! But when it comes to our business POP the vows we love to network and travel all of Florida! As I’m a wedding officiant and Alea is a photographer.

How long were you together before getting engaged?

Well well well we met on 11/4/18, bumped into each other 11/28/18, and she made us official on 1/17/19. I proposed on 3/20/19, so not very long. But I knew what I wanted then and decided to go for it. I couldn’t see a day without her and I couldn’t imagine my life without her. I knew she was it for me. She truly completes me.

 Did anyone help with the destination NYC marriage proposal?

OMG yasss! Her sister is like a mom to her since her mom passed away years ago. She said if I ever want to marry her, I would have to ask her sister for the hand in marriage and I did!

I haven’t met her in person. Alea planned a trip for me to meet her family in NJ. When we arrived and met up with her sister, I gave her a hug and slipped the ring box in her coat! Her niece was also in on it. We went out that night to celebrate her sister’s belated birthday. As well as a customer from my past job who does calligraphy wrote my whole speech for me in calligraphy.

Share your marriage proposal story…

I asked for her sister’s hand in marriage via phone and she said yes she’s never seen her so happy in her life. Then, I choose her ring. All this was happening while my girlfriend was planning a trip for us to go to NJ and meet her family!

The day came and I was so nervous. I told her it’s because I’m scared of airplanes and heights but the truth was I was about to propose that night! The time came to meet her sister I hugged her for the 1st time and slipped the ring box inside her coat pocket. We went out to eat and drink and got tipsy lol. It was now or never time to do it since my proposal script was stamped with that day and it was almost midnight.

We decide on a park nearby with a statue. I took off my jacket in 32 degrees in NYC. I said I need to talk to you and I pulled out my script. It stated every date I felt something towards her from our 1st kiss to the I love you. I read it to her and at the end, it said all that’s missing is to give you my last name. I said Kellie (her sister’s name) and she came forward and I got on my knee and she gave me the ring box. My girlfriend was freaking out saying wtf wtf wtf is going on!

It was so cold and I got her a custom ring box made of wood because she’s a tree lover. Due to the weather, the box inflated and I couldn’t open it! So here’s the kicker. We just came from a bar and grill and with us came a man we met there that was interested in her sister. Little did he know a proposal was happening and he’s freaking out too! We all took turns opening the box and it wouldn’t budge.

5 of us and nothing! 5 minutes passed by and I’m still on my knee. The guy that we brought with us was the one that popped it open. He gave it to me and all my girlfriend says is what was your question? So I repeated it and she said sure! (I’ll take that as a yes) lol.

People kept passing by saying congratulations. It wasn’t what I had planned but I do believe everything happens for a reason and in the end, she said yes. 1/17/22 here we come!

What was the best moment of the proposal?

When she realized what was going on when I said her sister’s name and she said what the f%#k?!?!

Who did you tell that you were engaged first?

Her grandma since I was going to meet her the next day. Alea wanted to let her know ASAP!

Tell us about the ring!

It’s an Enso ring it’s made from silicone and has a very modern style. I got it engraved inside: “Happily ever after…”

What are you most excited about wedding planning?

Choosing our color scheme and making all of our plans together as a couple. But most of all to have our families by our side on our big day!

If you’ve already decided, when are you getting married and what is your venue?

Granville Farms in Lake Helen, FL.

Why did you choose that venue?

I always dreamed of getting married at a barn.

Have you selected any other vendors for your wedding?

Photography: Anna So Photography 

Congratulations Alea & Hilda on your destination NYC marriage proposal!

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