It's been an absolutely mental past few weeks with lots going on. But firstly and foremost we're getting married!

I asked Becky and she (very kindly) said yes. I've been thinking about it for a while and we've both talked about it. Initially I was thinking we're together forever so marriage isn't really a must. Becky being a bit more traditional and with her parents being married, has always liked the idea of marriage and I guess a lot of girls think about it growing up. So we didn't really have the same thoughts on it, but after after a while we both ended up on the same page (being it's not really necessary). Then I thought; it would be pretty rad to have a massive party with our friends and family, and after seeing so many awesome weddings and fun times I just thought; I wanna get married now. With that attitude what better time to propose, she'll never see it coming. I decided on the Monday and it had all happened by Saturday .

The ring.....

I didn't want to be that guy that used a Haribo ring (she would have eaten eat before I proposed). Even though I know Becky likes very modest jewellery, I thought I'd get a traditional ring. So I broke all the piggy banks I could find and went down to Clive Ranger. The staff there were great and I've worked with them before shooting jewellery. I spoke to Carl and Jess who took me through a bunch of options for my price range. Ring sorted - now the plan.

The plan ...

We've had Explosions in the sky tickets for about a year now. They're one of my favourite bands. Instrumental, powerful and moving, perfect. My first problem is how am I going to hide the ring? What if they search us on the way in and make me open it.  As a photographer I planned on taking my camera in so I could get her reaction. Bad news, they don't let people take cameras in. Luckily I found out just before we got to Bristol. I persuaded Becky we should get a hotel so we could hang out for some drinks after the show. I was pretty sure she hadn't figured it out yet. Over the Severn bridge we went. I asked Becky's mum and Ally her sister to be at home so I could periscope it. We were in the venue I had my big coat on which was hiding the ring nicely (the box was pretty massive but I daren't take it out - I'd lose it.) First band comes on 'We were promised jet packs' which is pretty mental as I stumbled across them for the first time in Korea about the time I started seeing Becky. Weird but a good sign right? They were great but they played a really long set (and I was really really hot with a coat on In the crowd). The band changes over and Explosions get ready. First song was about to start and BOOM the best sound along with light show I've ever seen/heard ever. Every time I think of that night I think of the intense lasers and the atmosphere was soo good. I was really sweating buckets now from the heat and Becky asked me 'Why don't you take your coat off ?' I had to make an excuse up and say something like 'Na it'll get dirty I'm fine.' 

After being on the verge of passing out (I'm prob exaggerating a little - but it was pretty damn hot). I felt the time was right, I group messaged everyone so they could watch it. I gave it a few mins. Then I launched periscope on my phone and brought it around as if I was taking a selfie. And then I said to her 'do me a favour can you grab that lens case out of my pocket it's annoying me.' And voila she has a ring box.

The hard work is done right... well mostly apart from she initially thought it was a joke. But that quickly disappeared when she opened the box and saw the ring. 'What you think then, are we getting married?' She said yes and we just had a massive cwtch to the best soundtrack you could ever of hoped for. Both not speaking and appreciating the moment. I'll never forget it. Plus I also got to take my coat off (not as important but it was hot). After the show Becky called her friends and family and we went off for some drinks at Pheonix bar. It was an awesome night!

The secret lunch...

So as if organising the proposal wasn't enough I had organised a surprise meal the next day. I got Ally to help me out by contacting some of Becky's friends. She sorted for them to be in Wagamas for 1. I had to casually bring up going for lunch and also hope that she wanted eat at Wagamas. I had envisaged her not wanting to eat there and ruining my plans! But she was surprisingly into it, I was on a roll. I was getting messages off both sets of friends telling me how they were getting there as to avoid bumping into each other on the way. Final message just trickled into my phone, they're all in place.

All I need to do now is to walk in to the table and everyone will pop up and surprise her. When you walk into to Wagamama they ask to seat you. This properly messed my plans up. As we walk in I clock where the guys are, right at the back on a table.  But I have someone asking to seat us? I didn't really know what to do and I probably looked a little rude but I just grabbed Becky's hand and ignored the waiter and walked off towards the table. 

I don't think I've ever seen Becky so confused ever but after a little persuasion we got to the table and finally, surprise! It was really cool to have some of our friends there to share our news with. I think I've spent my quota of surprise planning for a lifetime now. Some of our friends live all over the country so we don't see them as much as we like. Becky's uni friends drove all the way from Brighton and Nottingham. I'm just so relieved all the planning and surprises are over! Now to plan a wedding, should be easy right?! (hints of sarcasm) 

Hopefully I should have more posts up soon.

Chris x x x

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