Puppy Marriage Proposal

Photo by Katie Williams Orlando Photography

Who doesn’t love a good proposal story involving a beloved pet? When we heard about Colin’s puppy marriage proposal to Margaret featuring their sweet dog Apollo, we knew we had to feature their story!

Share with us when and how you met each other.

We met online, as most millennials do, but what we didn’t realize is that we go to the same CrossFit gym as each other. 

One Sunday, I asked Colin if he wanted to grab margaritas and nachos. He said yes but we agreed it couldn’t be anything too long or too late because we both had to be up early the next day. 

Well, we ended up closing the restaurant down! This was our first time meeting but we just couldn’t stop talking. What was supposed to be a 2-hour quick drink and nachos ended up being a 6-hour first date.

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

We love CrossFit; Colin is competitive while I am more into getting the muscles and meeting personal records. We love to take our three dogs on walks, hikes, and adventures. 

I love dragging Colin to Disney as much as I can when I have races or find a non-pass holder deal for him. 

Our favorite date is to go to Barnes and Noble, grab a coffee and read for hours.

How long were you together before getting engaged?

1.5 years before the engagement.

Share your marriage proposal story!

This is my FAVORITE STORY and Colin’s worst nightmare! So we went to visit my parents for a few days and for Colin to see where I am from in Boston. We spent a few days with my friends and spent the long weekend with my dad. 

We are flying back the day before his birthday and our flight is 45 minutes late on departure. I hate being late and am now stressed! We finally get into Orlando and are driving our hour drive home – we have been away from our dogs for a week and just want to go to bed because we had plans to go to Universal for Colin’s birthday the next day. 

It’s now 6:30 pm and about 15 minutes from home we see red lights in front of us; there is an accident. Now we are thinking ok they will clear it out quickly open a lane for us to drive and we will be on our way. WRONG! We were completely stuck, cars turned off, until 8:30 pm. 

My anxiety is now through the roof and I just want to get out of there and go home. Colin is sitting in complete silence ignoring me and acting noticeably fidgety. 

We finally get past the traffic and I am so excited to go home and get into bed, but Colin has me wait outside for the puppy, Apollo, so that he wouldn’t pee in the house; this happens sometimes when he gets really excited. 

I said you’re completely right; I let two of the three dogs out and when Apollo finally came running out behind them I noticed that he had a bandana on his neck. Now Apollo LOVES bandanas, so I thought Colin’s parents bought one for the dogs and Apollo was the only one who kept it on.

Wrong again! Colin is telling me to read the bandana around Apollo’s neck out loud and it read “Will you marry my dad?”. The second I read it I started balling and covering my face while Colin had this whole speech. I barely let him ask before I said “yes!” 

From Colin’s perspective, the second I read the bandana he SLAMMED his knee down to the ground so that when I turned around I would see him and the ring. I then wept for about 10 minutes and just stood on our porch in his arms crying.

What was the best moment of the proposal?

How proud Apollo was wearing his bandana!

Who did you tell that you were engaged first?

I called my Dad first.

Tell us about the ring!

It is a round solitaire ring with a bed of diamonds, and diamonds along the band. Colin won’t let me know any more details!

What aspect of being engaged has surprised you the most?

Not much, we live our lives the same just more excited to start our forever and family.

What have you enjoyed the most about being engaged?

Finally getting to call Colin my fiancé!

What are you most excited about wedding planning?

I am most excited to plan the music and food! We want to have the best reception to party and hang out with our friends, celebrating the special day. 

My best friend (and matron of honor) is our wedding planner and I feel so special to have her by my side through all of this keeping me sane. I could NOT do this without a structured plan!

If you know, when are you getting married and what is your venue?

 March 1, 2024, at The Mulberry at New Smyrna Beach.

Why did you choose that venue?

It had both an outside venue and a barn rustic feel, which Colin and I wanted most.

How many guests are you expecting?

60, a small intimate wedding!

What’s your approach to your wedding budget?

It shocked us at first but we figured out the items we can DIY and items that we CANNOT.

What’s your wedding style?

Rustic Farm

Do you have any advice for our Wedding Venue Map readers planning their weddings?

Get yourself a Coordinator (The Chaos Coordinator to be exact); they take the stress of planning away and make it so much more enjoyable for you.

Congratulations Margaret & Colin on your puppy marriage proposal!

Want to feature your proposal? CLICK HERE to submit your story!