New York Rockefeller Center | Bryan + Kelsi Surprise Marriage Proposal

How did you meet? 
We met the same year I finished Graduate School at a mutual friend’s wedding. I had just moved back to the area from Madison, WI where I attended Grad School and went over to a friend’s house for a bonfire. At the bonfire one of my friends told me that she knew and worked with the “Perfect” woman for me, and that she [Kelsi] would be at our friend’s wedding that was taking place in a few weeks. I didn’t think much of it, as I had heard this line a million times before it seemed. Well we met at the wedding and I danced with her the whole night. That was the start of something beautiful!

When did you know he/she was the one? *
I knew that she was the one when I realized that it was not “love at first sight”, although I liked her a great deal, don’t get me wrong. Our relationship was different than most in the fact that it felt very organic in nature from the beginning. As her and I got to know one another more, the closer I felt with her (the more I was falling in love with her). The love I have for her has only strengthened over time, and still continues on that same trajectory today. We share so many things in common and make each other laugh on a daily basis. It’s very hard to not fall in love with the person she is! This may sound a bit strange, but we also “fight” in a manner that allows our relationship and our love to grow even stronger. Every “fight” is a learning experience for us, and we take full advantage of it. I couldn’t have asked for a greater partner!

What do you love about her?
The question should be, what DON’T I love about her! There are so many things to love about Kelsi, which makes it hard to narrow it down to only a few. I absolutely love how free-spirited she is. She will try most anything if she knows it’ll make me happy. Maybe that’s it. Yes, I love how much she loves me and wants to make/see me happy!

Petronella, here: I can attest to what Bryan said; Kelsi did not know how to skate but she got on that ice and skated just for Bryan.

How did you pick the ring?
She actually picked the ring, but without knowing it. A few months prior to the engagement we had been out shopping for random items. As I was busy with my usual routine of shuffling through clothes at Express Kelsi walked to another store to kill time. After I purchased my items she insisted that I look at the most beautiful ring she had ever seen, so I did. Much to my surprise (Kelsi has a very eclectic and much different style than my own) it was absolutely stunning, with the price tag to match. We had also looked at a few other jewelry stores and she found some that she “liked”. As the engagement day drew nearer and nearer I knew that whatever ring I got her she would be grateful and love. However, I wanted a ring that told every other guy that she was MINE! That’s why I went with the ring that brought the biggest smile to her face the first time she saw it. I wanted to get her that ring, because I never want to see that smile fade.

What advice do you have to other guys when planning your proposal? 
My advice to other gentlemen out there who are planning an engagement is to not follow your heart, but to follow hers! Never let your own emotions/thoughts get in the way of hearing what her needs and wants are. Now that you are making the decision to propose, you must understand that you are making the decision to put your relationship before yourself. Learn all that there is to know about her (or what you think is all there is), and then continue to learn more! Make it your journey to discover and re-discover your bride to me! Make life fun and memorable, because in the end those memories are all we’re left with! Also, hire a professional photographer to capture your special moment, because when it happens it’s hard to take everything in and fully experience and capture it all. It will be your best money spent!

Any other advice to guys planning a proposal?
The Proposal:
Kelsi had everything set up so nicely for a surprise 30th Birthday trip to New York, which I was supposed to have no idea about. She was so proud of herself for pulling off the perfect birthday getaway to a city I have never been before, but had always wanted to go. This said I knew where we were going, as she is not the best liar, and totally gave it away during my mini “interrogation”; however, I led her to believe I had no idea. This got my wheels turning, and I decided to start planning a surprise of my own. So I started making phone calls, internet searches, and anything else I could think of. I re-traced our steps back to the multiple jewelry stores, where I could remember her saying she liked a ring or two months back. It finally clicked one day when I was out with her one night and I overheard her talking to a friend about the ring she saw at Knox Jewelers, and then the biggest smile, one that I had only seen on her face once before, came over her. Right then I knew I had found the one.
Next, I starting thinking of some clever and unique ways to propose, but it seemed as if every idea I had just wasn’t able to show the love I have for her enough. Then I found it, the perfect engagement! While we were in New York, which I had “no idea about”, we went to Rockefeller Center and went ice skating. I had it all set up prior to leaving for New York to have VIP access onto the rink, we skated around for a little bit, and then at the end of the skating session they pulled everyone off the ice, but I kept her on. In that moment they played our song, Brad Paisley “Then”, over the loud speaker and with everyone standing around watching/clapping/cheering I got on one knee and asked my best friend to be my wife. This whole time I had professional photographers taking candid pictures of us to capture this amazing moment. Believe it or not, she said YES!

Congratulations Bryan and Kelsi!  Check out Bryan + Kelsi Surprise Marriage Proposal album { HERE }!