Follow The Bride - Week 1

Our bride to be Claire shares with us the run up to her big day….

OMG! I’m engaged! Just a few months ago my boyfriend Christos proposed whilst on a romantic holiday in Spain.  Christos and I met at work in April 2009 and our  whole romance was a bit of a whirlwind. Five-months later Christos moved in with me. Ten months later in early December 2010 we found out I was pregnant. This wasn't planned, let's just say I don't trust the mini pill anymore! We talked about getting married before the baby arrived but I really wanted to enjoy a glass of champagne or two on my wedding day so we decided to wait until after the baby was born. 

Three months later, Christos whisked me away to a beautiful hotel in Iceland for Valentine's Day. With all this talk of marriage and a baby on the way, I was convinced this would be when he was going to propose and I'd spent ages perfecting my excited, surprised, 'oh my god, I can't believe this is happening' face. Each day I'd wake up expectantly, only to go to bed disappointed at the end of the day. Christos was oblivious. He just meant this as a Valentine's treat and was completely taken aback when I confessed on the aeroplane home that I thought he was going to propose. Feeling rather stupid, I made a mental note not to try and second guess these things again. 

But in May 2011 we went to Spain for a few weeks  and on a roof top terrace. Overlooking a picturesque lake, Christos got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Unfortunately, my initial reaction was to start giggling. I don't know what came over me! It was all so beautiful and meaningful and lovely, and all I could do was giggle. I am blaming it on a mixture of happiness, surprise and pregnancy hormones (I was 7 months pregnant at the time). I of course said yes! The ring was beautiful, classic and simple - exactly how I like jewellery to be. A single crystal clear diamond set in a white gold square with a white gold ring. It sparkles every time light catches it. It is perfect.   

I called my mum first thing the next day to tell her the good news. When I announced I was engaged, she replied "don't worry, it's quite normal", which wasn't the response I was expecting! She thought I was talking about the baby. 

With the baby nearly here, we decided to wait to until after the birth to start planning the wedding, though I couldn't help buying a couple of wedding magazines...a bit of light bedtime reading never hurt anyone!

 

Photo 1: Christos and Claire on the terrace where he proposed

Photo 2: The ring

Photo 3: Us in Spain with bump