Romantic Home Marriage Proposal

We love a great at-home proposal story, don’t you? When we saw this submission, we knew that we wanted to feature Caitlyn & Dakota’s romantic home marriage proposal story.

Share with us when and how you met each other.

Dakota and I actually met at work but it would take about two years for us to actually start talking to each other and eventually dating. When we both started working at the same country club in 2017 we were both in different relationships at the time. My relationship ended and everyone at my job knew. Dakota worked downstairs and I worked upstairs at the time, but I would always clock in at the downstairs computer to see who was working today.

That’s when I really started to get to know Dakota, but again, he was in a relationship at the time. Over time our little clock-in conversation would get longer and I would find out that he was unhappy in his current relationship.

Skip a couple of weeks I found out he had tickets to a country music festival and I needed to find a way to get tickets because I needed to have a reason to hang out with him outside of work. I found a girlfriend of mine to go to this festival with and I told him that we would be there. On the day of the festival, I search super hard for him too, ya know, just casually bump into him. I can’t find him so I just text him and say “hey I’m here hopefully we can meet up!” He sends me his location and from the moment I saw him, I knew that 1. It was going to be a great night and that 2. I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.

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

Besides loving and taking care of our amazing puppy, Sol. We work at a country club so golf is almost in our DNA, we love Top Golf or hanging out on the course. I’ve lived in Florida for 20+ years so anything with sand, waves, and sunshine is a great time for us to relax!

How long were you together before getting engaged?

We were together for two years!

Did anyone help with the romantic home marriage proposal?

Besides helping secure the ring, no.

Share your marriage proposal story…

We live in Orlando and I know there are probably one thousand hairdressers in Orlando but I only trust one person to do my hair and that’s my friend, Shelley! But Shelley lives in Daytona. So on April 5th, I had a hair appointment in Daytona. Before the appointment, I was going to go to the beach and get my tan on. Dakota had a tee time for about the same time I was getting my hair done. So we were kinda doing our own thing that day.

I was making my way back to Orlando from Daytona around 4:30 pm and told Dakota I would be home soon. I got home around 5:30 pm and the house was spotless and my favorite candles were lit, I was so happy, this was such a nice thing for him to do. But I honestly wasn’t thrown off by it or thought much of it because Dakota cleans often and he doesn’t like clutter.

I was so happy I thanked him and he said that he wanted to take me out to a nice dinner. He said he had made a reservation for a restaurant we really wanted to try for around 7:30 pm. He went into our closet and picked out a super pretty dress for me to wear and said I should do my makeup. I told him that I still have other errands to run for the night and that the store I need to go to closes at 8 pm so we needed to leave soon but we could still do dinner after. However, I am a pain in the butt and I honestly wasn’t feeling like going out somewhere nice because I had been sweating at the beach all morning and it had been a long day of driving I asked him to change the reservation and we could figure something else out so he canceled the reservation for me! I told him I would still get dressed all pretty but I just didn’t feel like being too fancy.

Anywho, while I’m getting ready, I knew he was in the living room waiting for me so I walked out when I was done and I told him that I wasn’t feeling very pretty and I didn’t know how I felt about going out. He just looked at me and told me how beautiful I was and that every time he sees me his heart expands with so much love. He said so much many more sweet words that flowed so smoothly together about his love for me but I can not remember what they are because as he was saying it, he got down on one knee, in our living room, and proposed to me.

I was immediately in tears and I can’t even remember if I said yes because I was just crying so much from pure happiness. Our puppy was jumping all around us, I think she even knew what was happy and she was so excited to celebrate with us! I also found out late after the proposal that he had moved our puppy camera into the living room so the whole proposal was captured for us to keep forever!

My favorite thing about the proposal was just how simple it was. I had always told him that whenever you propose I just want it to be me and you, I don’t care how you do it but I don’t need a huge party waiting around the corner or some crazy things to happen for me to say yes. He had tossed so many ideas and plans around with so many of my friends but he said that at that moment at the house it just felt like the perfect time to do it, and I couldn’t agree more! All I need is him, in our home, with our puppy, full of love! After the proposal, we ran my errands, and when we got home we pigged out on pizza and wine… again, my favorite type of night!

What was the best moment of the proposal?

The best moment of the proposal for me was right before it happened. I walked into the living room in my dress and he just casually said “damn, I’m gonna marry you one day” and I kinda laughed and rolled my eyes, and then he started his speech into the proposal, and turns out he actually is going to marry me one day!

Who did you tell that you were engaged first?

It was actually my hairdresser, Shelley! Lol! I texted her about 1-hour later with a picture of the ring and said “the hair is magical, this happened after I got home”. She was so happy and said she would write down the formula for my new hair color so we would always have it haha! Sorry, mom & dad!

Tell us about the ring!

I am obsessed with my ring. It is oval moissanite, which is an ethical and durable diamond alternative, on a super simple yellow gold band. I never wanted a diamond because I am as environmentally friendly as I can be. The moissanite is a lab-created gemstone that is just as beautiful and durable and honestly more affordable. My ring is equivalent to almost 2 carats…. seriously obsessed! It was custom created by a jeweler in Ohio where Dakota is from. The company name is Koop Diamond Cutters. It is everything I ever wanted and more.

What aspect of being engaged has surprised you the most?

Just being engaged in general! I knew it was probably coming sometime this year but I never expected it to be this soon!

What have you enjoyed the most about being engaged?

I just enjoy being so purely and genuinely happy and excited to take the next step in our relationship. We have always talked about it but now it’s finally here and I am just soaking it all in and loving every second of it. I get butterflies in my stomach every time I think about it.

What are you most excited about wedding planning?

I work in the wedding planning industry so I’m most excited to be on the other side of things. I’m just excited to be the bride lol.

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

We are not sure yet but we are thinking of the months between March-early June. My dream wedding venue is Jorgensen Farms in Ohio, where Dakota is from, but we will most likely be keeping our wedding in Florida.

How many guests are you expecting?

150

What’s your approach to your wedding budget?

Since I have worked in the industry I know how to keep a more realistic budget for things. I know what’s most important to me on my wedding day so I will be sure to spend more of my budget on those things.

What’s your wedding style?

Is modern farmhouse a thing? Just google Jorgensen Farms…. that’s my style!

Have you selected any other vendors for your wedding?

Not yet!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with Wedding Venue Map readers?

Personally, I am a very simple and laid-back person. I love people and moments and I think it’s important not to get super wrapped up in stress and maybe drama that comes with planning a wedding or whatever it may be. Don’t rush, live every day to the fullest, and focus on the positivity all around you! It will make your engagement so much more enjoyable!

Congratulations Caitlyn & Dakota on your romantic home marriage proposal!

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