So a few weeks ago, I posted a competition on here for recently enaged couples to win a fab night out on us at the restaurant of their choice coupled with a free engagemnet photo shoot with me…all in time for and to coincide with Valentines Day! I also promised to post a few of their stories on here and becasue I never break my promises, here is a lovely story from Jemma….

Well it’s a long story starting with broken bones and finishing with the beginning of our lives together.

Rob and I celebrate our ‘anniversay’ by remembering and celebrating our 1st date on the 3rd December 2008. Rob very kindly arranges a weekend away in London every year. When we met Rob was living in London and has worked at Buckingham Palace for the last 8 years. So the those first 6 months of our relationship that are so magical were spent mainly in London. It holds such special memories like the crossing outside Hyde Park where we first held hands. London we say is ‘our’ city where we can while away the hours and lose ourselves in he city and our relationship. So December 2011 was fast approaching and Rob had mentioned planning the weekend away, but that was all.

We were invited to dinner with my Brother and his long term girlfriend (12 years and counting!). After dinner they suprised us with an announcement of pregnancy of course much emotion and celebrations followed.
The following Sunday my brother who has recently set up his own business was badly tackled in a football match which resulted in both his legs being broken! His football team rallied behind him and arranged a huge benefit event to raise funds for him and Hollie. The date picked  for the event 3rd December 2011 our anniversary date. When I heard the date I contacted Rob and he said of course we need to be there for him, he would rearrange our weekend away and to be honest I never thought about it again.

Our weekend away was moved to the 9th December and it quickly arrived. We travelled into London by car and when we were close Rob asked if I recognised the area, which I did, Luttle Venice and it clicked that we would be staying in The Collanade. We had stayed in the Collanade dbefore on our anniversary and ha fallen in love with the warmth of the place.

When we arrived at our room I was overwhelmed to see it was a suite with double height windows overlooking our London. I knew we were going for dinner so we started to get ready.

Once ready we headed to the tube, Rob informed me we were running a bit late so when we hopped off the tube, Rob suggested he ran ahead to make sure we didn’t miss our table. But he wouldn’t tell me where we were going. So off he ran and I followed on heels slowly! Once  a little out of sight he called and asked if I could see the London Eye which I could he told me to make my way toward it . I arrived at the Eye where he met me with a cuddle and told me we are going on the Eye before dinner as a little present. I was over the moon, I have never been on it before and to see our city with Rob who almost knows every inch would be amazing.
I went to join the queue and Rob pulled me to the side and said don’t worry we have out own pod! Jamie our host led us on and popped open a bottle of champagne, he also gave us some beautiful truffles and for me a stunning winter bouquet.

Being in the pod with Rob the atmosphere was amazing and definitely a little electric. When we reached the very top Jamie suddenly prompted “Mr.Palmer we are at the very top”. Rob turned to me and asked ‘do you know why we are alone?’. I answered with a cautious no and he said “because I have a question to ask you”, bent down on one knee and said “will you marry me”!!!

I burst into tears and the next 20 minutes was a blur of tears, photos, cheers and clapping from the pods either side, and also tears from our host Jamie.
When we reached the ground we were met with raucous cheers and many people coming over to congratulate us and see the ring. I felt like all my dreams had come true. To be engaged to Rob is everything I could ever wish for except to be the mother of his children. He really does complete me and I never met such an amazing, inspirational person who makes me a better person.
Of course there were lots of phone calls to make so on the way to the restaurant I think I called almost every single person I know. My mum and dad were expecting my call as Rob had already been to ask and it was incredibly emotional. Robs mum and sister who have become like my family already were also tearful and overjoyed.

The restaurant The Ledbury was amazing, the staff had been informed by Rob and were the most welcoming and helpful you can imagine. We got to meet the Head Chef who signed our Menus and that was the icing on the cake.

To be honest if Rob had rolled over in bed one day and asked me to marry him I would have felt exactly the same, I feel like it was meant to be. We were meant for each other and now we are planning our next step in our life, our Marriage.

Taken in The London Eye just after Rob Had proposed!

Wow, Jemma What a fab story Good luck with the competition.

Best wishes    Courtenay

Now, lets hear your story…there is still time to enter our fab competition, just click the following link and fill in the form, it couldn’t be easier than that- Valentine Competition

Dorset Wedding Photographer – Courtenay Photographic Ltd