We were in Plett in December / January this year for New Year and Fred kept saying to me – “Right, be ready at such and such a time” -  he had a surprise etc. This went on for days  and days and was very annoying, since there was always a reason – weather etc that the timing was not right for whatever it was he was dragging me off to do!  Eventually I said “Right, if you are perhaps planning on asking me to marry you and if you have plans for a plane with writing in the sky or something along those lines, I will say no on principal.  Just way too much for me.” I was hoping for something simple, but beautiful and romantic – just the two of us – no onlookers!!

One evening we then had an impromptu dinner at the Plettenberg Hotel and I hinted that this was the type of place that would be the perfect setting for a proposal – he just smiled (Typical me – trying to plan everything). On our second last day – 3 January – he told me to be ready at 10am – no arguments. He then took me to the Plettenberg for a day of spoiling at the Spa for the two of us. We then had a lovely romantic lunch (but still nothing of a proposal in sight). We also had made dinner reservations for the Plettenberg for our last night (that evening) following the spa treatments, but after having had a wonderful day there and lunch – he cancelled the dinner reservation.  (And there I thought I had everything organised and I knew exactly what he was planning… hmm).

After our spa treatments we then went for a romantic walk and run on the beach and when we got back he said:  “Let’s have a quick shower and see if the hotel can still take us for dinner”. I had a shower in about 10 minutes and luckily put on a pretty dress.  I was still doing my make up in the car when we arrived at the hotel.  I said to him that there was no way we would get in now at this late stage… Anyway – walking to the restaurant, I was relieved to see that the restaurant was empty – I turned around to tell Fred how lucky we were and he had vanished. I then saw him near the hotel kitchen – I went to call him and then my world stopped!!  To my right were steps leading into the cellar and they were covered in petals and beautiful candles – he took my hand – and we walked into the most beautiful wine cellar to a table set for two – my favourite music being played by a musician and my favourite yellow roses on the table.  I burst into tears – saying how perfect it was and he said: “What – no this is not the proposal.” He just wanted to say thank you for the most romantic wonderful time together. Anyway, I did not know what to believe, but there was no telling sign of a ring box.

Finally, half way through the most delicious meal – he said “Let’s take a picture to remember this night” and out of the camera case came a ring box and well, the rest was like a dream!!  He had planned this all before we got to Plettenberg Bay and it just so happened that he had chosen my favourite hotel and so in one night – a little girl’s dream of being proposed to in  the most romantic way possible came true- How spoilt am I???  I truly am very blessed with an incredible man who waited for me for 43 years!!  The next morning on our way home – Fred said that we had to stop at the hotel – since he had told all the Spa girls his plans and they said that if I said “Yes” – then we had to come and show them the ring the next day. Their yells of delight at our news were an exact replica of what I was feeling! Happy Happy Happy!!!

This article was posted by Celebration.co.za - South Africa Wedding Guide.