Procrastination is common — there’s no need to hide the fact that, sometimes, we just need to get something done at the last minute. If the perfect moment for a proposal has suddenly come up, you’re probably beginning to sweat, wondering how you’re going to buy the ring and plan the big moment in a short amount of time.

If you’re looking to buy an engagement ring on a timeline and a budget, here are Shane Co.’s top three tips for doing it well enough to hear that “Yes!”

1. Consider a solitaire ring

If you’re rushing to plan your proposal, chances are you probably haven’t had the time to really figure out what your bride-to-be’s dream ring looks like. In this case, a solitaire ring may be perfect for you. You can still personalize the diamond by choosing a unique shape or particular size, but you don’t have to worry about the engagement ring setting being different from her idea of “perfect.” Not to mention, a diamond solitaire is an all-around favorite for most brides — she can even add a unique decorative crown later on if she so chooses!

“If you want to surprise your fiancée with a proposal,” Shane Co. experts say, “a solitaire ring is a great option. She can always trade it in and select her own setting with you later. Plus, if you’re working on a tight deadline, buying the less expensive solitaire setting first is a great way to make time for you to save up for a more expensive setting, if that’s what she wants.”

2. Look at preset rings

Our perfectly preset engagement rings are rings that you buy with the diamond already mounted in the setting, as opposed to customizing your ring by choosing the stone and setting separately.

“With a preset ring, you may not get to choose your center stone, but you can get a great quality ring with plenty of carat size in a much shorter time frame,” advises an expert. “With personalized rings, it takes more time because you have to set the stone in addition to sizing the ring, which can take up to 3-5 days.”

Psst! If you order a preset Shane Co. ring online, our 2-day shipping comes free with your purchase.

3. Be bold with a sapphire fashion ring

Does your honey love color? Working on a budget not big enough to get her the diamond of her dreams? Looking for a unique ring that will make for a standout proposal? The answer to all of these issues and more lies in a simple stone: sapphire! With royals and celebs alike sporting their very own sapphire rings, you can be sure your bride will be thrilled with this natural colored stone over a diamond.

“Sapphires are the second most popular center stones for engagement rings … and they’re less expensive than diamonds,” says a Shane Co. expert. But remember: “If you’re on a time crunch, custom sapphire rings take more time to build than preset fashion rings. Look for fashion rings with sapphire center stones that still feel ‘bridal,’ and you can have it shipped to you in a matter of days.”

Other advice for the perfect last-minute proposal

Besides buying the right ring, we have a few suggestions on how to make sure your last-minute proposal doesn’t miss a beat.

Keep it simple

Much like going with a solitaire ring, our best advice for mastering your proposal is to keep it focused on the most important part: you and your partner. You don’t need to have planes spelling out “Marry me” in the sky or an over-the-top plan to pop the question to the love of your life. Pick a comfortable setting and take some time to think about what you’re going to say — why do you want to marry them? What’s your favorite thing about them? What are you looking forward to most about married life? Speak from your heart and you can’t go wrong.

Make it personal

Does your love have a favorite movie or song? A certain spot they love to visit, or a memorable location for the two of you? Using these personal details to craft your proposal plan can make it extra special, even if you don’t have the budget for something extravagant.

Do something different

Try switching up your normal routine to add a little excitement to your proposal. If you usually go out to eat or your partner cooks you dinner, try whipping them up a meal from scratch. If you know an instrument, try writing a little song describing all the things you love about them. There are so many ways to make this night special!

The post Tips for a Last-Minute Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

Justin and Heidi

Justin, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, met his now-fiancé Heidi, from northern Iowa, in Minnesota in January 2019. Justin knew he was ready to get engaged to Heidi almost immediately because of her sweet and captivating nature. Once he selected her engagement ring and diamond, he decided that popping the question at Shane Co. might just be the perfect way to make it official. He ran the idea past Bailey, their jewelry expert at the store, and they started planning.

The proposal

When Heidi and Justin showed up at Shane Co., Bailey greeted them and told Justin to go back to the financing area to check out the rings and make sure everything was correct before picking them up. Meanwhile, Heidi went over to the fashion jewelry area to look at some necklaces and stay busy.

While she was preoccupied, Bailey gave Justin the heads up – and in he came, with a bouquet of roses in his hands and his engagement band as well as her perfect ring in his pocket. After handing over the flowers and showing her his own ring, Justin took Heidi’s engagement ring out of his pocket and popped the question. Heidi happily said yes and the store staff celebrated with them, taking pictures and offering congratulations. They finished off the proposal with a kiss and a celebratory dinner.

Buying the ring

We asked Justin and Heidi how they ended up with Heidi’s beautiful ring and what their experience was like with Shane Co.

Justin: We shopped together, both for the ring and the diamond. My experience at Shane Co. is hard to put into words. From the first step into the Shane Co. store to spending quality time with Heidi and seeing her get overjoyed/excited while looking at rings, to the actual proposal experience – it was effortless, amazing, memorable and life-changing. Last but certainly not least, the service; Bailey did such an incredible job, and without her, none of this could have happened.

Heidi: Excellent customer service means a lot to me and Bailey and Shane Co. certainly displayed the highest level of service. The shopping process was easygoing, no hassle and a lot of fun.

Looking towards the future

Finally, we asked Justin and Heidi what they were looking forward to most about married life.

Justin: Spending every day with Heidi. Falling in love with her over and over every day for the rest of our lives together. Being able to have my best friend as my wife is, quite simply, living the dream – my happily ever after.

Heidi: I’m excited to watch our three kids grow up together and I am forever grateful to be able to share that experience with my soulmate.

The post Customer Stories: Justin and Heidi’s Shane Co. Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

A dream come true

“Jessie and I had a photoshoot planned with the sweetest photographer, who we had done a shoot with in the past. We got to the location, but the wind was blowing like crazy and it was absolutely freezing. Jessie said that his heart was pounding as we moved from location to location, fearing that he wouldn’t find the perfect spot. We finally got to this beautiful cliff overlooking the ocean and I turned around and he was down on one knee! Saying yes to marry Jessie was the best decision I’ve ever made. I can’t wait to marry my sweetheart. He had the perfect ring with the help of a Shane Co. employee and he found the perfect moment.”

Want to see the ring Jenna said yes to?

You can shop this Halo Diamond Engagement Ring with an oval diamond center stone to re-create the look that sealed the deal for Jessie. To see more fashionable halo rings, head over to ShaneCo.com and begin creating the perfect engagement ring for you!

The post Customer Stories: Jenna & Jessie’s Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

Meet our couple

Leamon is a native Georgian and lived in Savannah until he enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school. Post‐military, he obtained his degree in Respiratory Therapy at Armstrong State College, and then worked for St. Joseph’s Hospital for 22 years before moving to Tampa, Florida with a previous partner. After that relationship ended, he met David and was eventually courted by the Kennestone Hospital. They moved to Georgia together and currently live with their three dogs and two cats.

David was born and raised in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Growing up in the Pocono Mountains led to an outdoorsy childhood, filled with biking, skiing, canoeing and more. He attended college at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Throughout college, David worked as a bartender/waiter and volunteered with the Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue – that’s how he ended up adopting the three dogs he and Leamon live with today. Nowadays, he loves rollercoasters, hiking, and adventuring with his fiancé, both in and outside of Kennesaw.

How did you two meet?

David: Lea and I met while we were both living in the Tampa Bay area. We met online and spoke over the phone a few times before meeting on May 29, 2016. We set up a date at Buffalo Wild Wings since it was right next to my job and I was working long hours in sales over the Memorial Day weekend. I almost cancelled from being so exhausted from a tiring day, but I didn’t want to miss out on the chance to meet this great guy.

After meeting, we began talking as if we had known each other forever. We were there for over two hours when the waitress told us that the kitchen was closing soon. We were so into each other that we forgot to eat! Our adventure had begun. Over the next few months, we got to know each other better, sharing our love of rollercoasters, shopping and our mutual joy of cooking.

What is your favorite thing about him?

Lea: I would have to say that my favorite thing about Dave is his dry, smart wit and quirky ways. And that I don’t have to have a calculator out when he is around, as he is like a human calculator!

What are you looking forward to most about married life?

Lea: I’m looking forward to nourishing our marriage and standing beside one another. I know we won’t always agree, but we respect each other and still love each other and have that spark like we first did on May 29, 2016. And that when the time comes that we no longer occupy this earth, we meet again so that we can do this all over!

Were you surprised when he popped the question?

David: Lea proposed while we were out to dinner on the second anniversary of our first date. As you probably noticed by the picture we originally submitted, I was totally surprised and of course said, “Yes!”

How did you plan the proposal?

Lea: I knew I wanted to make Dave my everlasting partner many months prior to the engagement. I knew that the person who sat beside me in the emergency room and rubbed my back while I was writhing in pain from a kidney stone was the man who was seeing me at my worst, who was genuinely concerned, and who would be there for anything else. He was overwhelmed when I got down on one knee, put my hand into my pocket, took his hand and asked him to marry me.

Meanwhile, I was so nervous the entire evening leading up to then that I went several times to the bathroom because I was either checking on the ring to make sure all the diamonds were there or hoping I would stop being nauseated (nervous jitters) and not look like a scared deer in headlights all evening. I made reservations a week before at the Sun Dial Restaurant at the Westin Downtown Atlanta. They asked if it was for an occasion and I told them the entire setup for the night, including what we wanted to eat. They put us with the BEST and loveliest waitress who had been there for a generation. She made sure that we were taken care of and asked to use my phone to take pictures.

What did you like most about your wedding?

David: The original plan was to get married at the courthouse and save our money for our honeymoon in New York City. Lea’s cousin is an ordained minister, though, and she offered to marry us. Our families saw her offer on Facebook and insisted that if there was going to be a wedding, they wanted to be present for it. So, with only a couple months before our planned date of October 25, 2018, we began planning a wedding. There were no venues available that we liked, so we decided that we would hold the ceremony in our front yard, as it is beautifully landscaped.

Our special day came, our families and friends gathered and we started the next chapter of our adventure as a married couple and I took Lea’s last name as my own. Nearly eight months later, I find myself more in love with Lea than I ever could have thought was possible. He truly is my soulmate and the love of my life.

Lea: What we looked forward to most about our wedding was that it would be small with a fun party. We knew that only those that meant something to us would attend and that we would just be “us” and not be over‐dramatic and exhausted from all the work getting up to that day.

How did you tell your friends and family that you were engaged?

Lea: I told my mother ahead of time this was going to happen. I called Dave’s sister and told her that I was going to propose and I told our neighbors who are good, close friends of ours. Then, at 9:25pm, the rest of social media found out!

How did you pick out your rings?

David: When we first bought our wedding rings from Shane Co., we were on a tight budget, but Lea saw a ring that he loved. It had blue sapphires in it with a Celtic design, which represented his Scottish heritage. It wasn’t in our price range, but I saw how much he wanted it, so I got a plain comfort band and added more money to get him what he really wanted. Of course, now that I work for Shane Co., we’ve both upgraded our rings. Lea took a family diamond and had it set into a ring setting while I wore the sapphire ring for a while until I upgraded to my current diamond band.

What does love mean to you?

Lea: Love to me is faithfulness, friendship and loyalty to the person one chooses as his partner and spouse. Love is not material wealth but wealth of helping one another and making sure our needs are being met.

When did you start working at Shane Co.?

David: Lea and I were already engaged when we came to Shane Co. to shop for our wedding rings. It was late September of 2018 and we were out running errands when we drove past the Shane Co. store. Lea noticed the sign and we both started quoting the commercials and decided to go in. We were given the full Shane Co. first‐class service. Our salesperson, Aaron, was extremely helpful and made the whole experience easy and comfortable. I had noticed a sign in the lobby saying that they were hiring when we first came in, and after we finished paying for our rings, I asked Kelly Ray what experience I would need to work here. He explained that he had worked there for over 20 years and that the company would teach me all I needed to know about jewelry.

I was so impressed with how professional the staff was, the fact that we were not pressured the way one is at other jewelry stores, and our overall experience, I told Lea this was a place I would feel proud and confident to work for. When Lea and I got home, I immediately went online and filled out an application. A couple days later, I came back to pick up our rings and spoke briefly with Neomi Love‐West about how happy Lea and I were with our rings and my desire to work there. I spoke with the recruiter, interviewed and was working here two weeks later. My first day was October 15th.

The post Customer Stories: David and Leamon’s Engagement appeared first on The Loupe.

It’s one of our favorite times of the year: Pride Month! Summer is finally here and we’re happy to have the opportunity to celebrate every kind of love. With all these warm feelings in the air, we’re more than excited to feature our next Shane Co. couple: Andrew and Brian! They have a beautiful love story that recently took its next step into engagement. What makes this story even more special for us is that Andrew is a proud Shane Co. employee — in fact, he was Salesperson of the Year at his store in Arizona. We loved hearing about their engagement and all the amazing things on the horizon for them. Congratulations, Andrew and Brian!

Let’s meet our couple

Andrew is 28 years old and co-parents three beautiful dogs named Finn, Mallie and Momo. He loves playing video games, food, and working for Shane Co. While growing up in Iowa, he never pictured himself selling diamonds, but is more than happy where he is now, living in Arizona with Brian.

Brian is also 28 years old and currently works for Best Western Hotels and Resorts. His interests include martial arts movies, Overwatch, Star Wars, fantasy novels and all things pop culture. He grew up always believing in the importance of marriage, so he’s overjoyed to be engaged and living with his fiancé, Andrew.

How did you two meet?

Andrew: Brian and I met online. Five years ago, I would have been mildly embarrassed to admit how we met. We had a fun story of telling people that we met while volunteering at a pet shelter, but as we grew more serious, it became easier because I was so proud to tell anyone how I met the love of my life! While working in the jewelry industry, I have been introduced to many love stories. And nowadays, many successful relationships have started their first page online.

Brian: Online dating. Not a spectacular origin story, but we certainly have built a relationship that is spectacular. We are fortunate to live in a time where technology has enabled us to connect with each other, even miles and miles apart.

How did you know you were ready to get engaged?

Andrew: A few months into dating Brian, we had a discussion that he would propose to me! Which was a great feeling at the time, because the pressure was off of me. I already knew Brian was my life partner. We spent our time loving each other and enjoying all the ups and downs love has to offer. The perfect timing of being engaged was never essential to us, we always knew we would get there one day, but I wanted to surprise Brian and that’s when I decided to propose to him instead. I asked friends and family for their thoughts and was overwhelmed with how supportive everyone was to the idea. That gave me the confidence to present him with a ring I knew he would love.

Brian: It wasn’t just one realization or reason. Andrew truly is my best friend and there are so many milestones, trials and aspirations that we have been able to conquer together. We have pretty much been through it all together and he has been my partner in crime since day one! This is the next step in celebrating our relationship. I was always ready to marry this man.

How did you plan your proposal?

Andrew: Let’s just say the moment went by fast! Brian and I were headed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and I wasn’t sure if I was actually going to propose on this vacation. However, I did have a ring ready because the feelings were present and having the option to present a ring was most important to me. I had several different ideas and everything seemed perfect. Puerto Vallarta has a beautiful little peninsula and a lovely little town, but it wasn’t intimate enough for us. It was hard for the friends traveling with us not to react beforehand, but luckily no one ruined the surprise. In fact, they helped ensure the surprise was made!

We started with a personal moment between us while walking on the beach late at night. I had a few minutes to tell him how important he is in my life and with the moonlight shining down on us, I did it. Looking back at it today, I’m lucky to have a person who makes me feel amazing every day, and that’s why I planned to propose. The pictures and videos that people tried to capture secretly were not great quality since it was very dark, but I am actually glad that the moment was not captured — it was so unbelievably magical that I will never forget that night!

Were you surprised when Andrew proposed?

Brian: I was EXTREMELY SURPRISED! In our dating phase, I had always made it a point that it would be me that would be proposing. Although, thinking back on how nervous Andrew was that night, I should’ve known something was up. I had always pictured me popping the question to Andrew and it was such an amazing surprise as it happened. It seemed unreal. We have been together for five years now and I was always looking for the best way to ask; it had to be so special and intimate. Andrew found the perfect time and place for the proposal.

What’s your favorite thing about him?

Andrew: There are so many things. Let’s first acknowledge the fact that Brian can COOK! He attempts new recipes and I get to taste-test everything — of course, I can’t lie about the flavors being good or bad because he knows me too well. He makes the evenings at home feel like a night out at a restaurant. At the same time, he’s adventurous, which keeps me on my toes. He thinks of great things to do together and amazing places to visit. He’s supportive of my friends and welcomes them when we plan adventures.

Brian: I’d have to say his magnetic personality. Andrew is such a charismatic person, it’s hard to pick just one thing. I have never met a person that didn’t love being around him. His glowing energy and positive attitude lights up the room.

How did you decide on a ring?

Andrew: I’ve worked at Shane Co. for almost five years now, and over the years I’ve asked several times what style of ring he would want. It started with a simple yellow gold band until recently, when Shane Co. introduced our Damascus steel collection. I knew he’d love it because he has a collection of swords, and his favorite swords are made of Damascus steel. I still asked him to look through our website and to my surprise he had a handful of favorites (who wouldn’t?!), but he LOVED the classic Damascus steel ring with the rose gold strip in it. So naturally, I presented to him what I knew he would love and wear forever as a symbol of our relationship.

What was your favorite part of the proposal?

Brian: I would have to say the moment Andrew got down on one knee. As he knelt, the tide came in and nearly knocked him over. Andrew stood tough and didn’t budge. I was so in shock about what he had asked me that I was speechless for a few moments. Andrew shouted out in laughter, “I need an answer before the tide takes me and the ring!” It was definitely a priceless moment.

What is your favorite thing about Shane Co.?

Andrew: The people I work with! It is so important to me that the environment I work in has a great team culture. I enjoy going to work so much that it basically seems like I am going to visit my family five days every week to sell beautiful jewelry and diamonds together! It is such a refreshing feeling to know that the company I work for cares about my mental and physical health, with an understanding of letting us have a work-life balance.

What do you love about your ring?

Brian: I absolutely love it! I’m a sword/knife collector, so I was already familiar with Damascus steel. As soon as I saw the ring I knew it was meant for me. I love that each pattern is a unique “fingerprint” on every ring and the rose gold accent is just enough flair for my taste. There were a few different rings that I had considered, but it always came back to this one.

How did it feel going from salesperson to buyer?

Andrew: Oh, my gosh. It was interesting … I would talk out loud about it at work and to myself nonstop. Every day for about two weeks before I bought the ring, I would hold onto it while I was working. Trying it on, figuring out what fingerprint of the Damascus steel I liked the most. My coworkers (the AMAZING SALESPEOPLE that they are) definitely gave me the push to purchase the ring and to just have it on hand for when the right moment came around. It was a positively emotional feeling being on the other side of the jewelry case.

What are you looking forward to most about married life?

Andrew: We look forward to having children someday; however, if that does not work out, we will look forward to many more pets, hopefully on a large lot of green land. I am grateful to be living in a time in which I am able to call Brian a husband and to be recognized legally as a married couple. I am excited to spend my life with this man and I know wherever we end up, we will be happy that the adventure will be together.

Brian: Filing our taxes together will be nice! I’m joking! Marriage is such a special commitment between two loving adults, and having our relationship validated through marriage wasn’t even a possibility until recent years. We are truly blessed to have the support of our friends and family. Marriage will allow us more opportunities to grow our family and household together — that, by far, is the most exciting.

Where do you see yourselves 10 years from now?

Andrew: Regardless of where we live, we want to be on a large lot of land. Hopefully a little greener than Arizona. We want to grow our family — maybe with children, but definitely with more animals! I still imagine I will be selling the prettiest diamonds here at Shane Co. It’s hard to imagine what will happen in a 10-year span because Brian and I are naturally spontaneous with the opportunities that come our way.

Brian: I see us living in a cozy home somewhere greener than Phoenix. Exactly where is still up for discussion, but I hope it’s somewhere cooler! Andrew is a Midwestern boy so I know he misses the green outdoors. Lots of pets and hopefully a larger family.

What does love mean to you?

Andrew: Love means knowingly choosing to take on all of the rough days and all of the rewarding days with the one you want by your side for the rest of your life. Whatever negative or positive experiences we go through together or individually, it has always been easier with Brian in my life. Everyone experiences a different kind of love, and I truly believe our love is one in a million.

Brian: Love to me is difficult to define with words, as you love different people for different reasons. Consider the deepest physical, emotional and spiritual bond you can form with another person — this is the kind of love I have for Andrew. I know he will be there to share my struggles and celebrate my triumphs, as I will do the same for him. We have the kind of love that is built through mutual respect and honesty.

The post Shane Co. Customer Stories: Andrew and Brian’s Engagement appeared first on The Loupe.

At Shane Co., we feel lucky to be a part of such a special day in so many couples’ lives. Hearing our customers’ engagement stories reminds us of the importance of love and companionship and the many meaningful moments along the way. Getting engaged is a big step, but finding the perfect ring is only the beginning, which is why we’re highlighting some of our customers’ love stories and sharing them with the world.

Karrie and Casey are an incredible couple that have had to defy long-distance odds to start planning their life together. We asked them about their journey and how they ended up at Shane Co.

Who are Karrie and Casey?

Karrie is originally from Southern California. She moved to sunny Colorado eight years ago and currently lives with their eight-year-old and four-year-old. She works in the mental health field and focuses on helping people find recovery and treatment across the nation. She’s studying to become a personal trainer, though her dream is to start a food truck company with her now-fiancée, Casey. They have two dogs: a Chihuahua named Rocky and a French bulldog named Frankie. 

Casey is an East Coaster from a small town in Connecticut. She grew up with her eccentric Italian family, working in her family’s restaurant before moving to Colorado seven years ago to finish school. Last year, she opened a private practice focusing specifically on providing mental health/addiction services to the LGBTQ+ community. She was offered a job in Thailand shortly after meeting Karrie and just couldn’t pass up the opportunity for new adventures and experiences. She is now the primary therapist at an LGBTQ+ treatment center in Chiang Mai. Karrie and Casey’s dog, Frankie (a.k.a. Meatball), lives with her, while Karrie and the kids remain in the United States. She shares Karrie’s vision of opening up a food truck and sharing her family’s recipes with the world.  

Q: How did you two meet?

Casey: It was a Friday night in July. I went to see my friend perform in a play. After the performance, he said, “I want you to meet a couple of my friends.” I met Karrie and she blasted me with information! She asked me so many questions that I left thinking, “What just happened?” On the drive home I thought, well, she’s attractive but probably off limits. My intentions were strictly business … little did I know …

Karrie: Our story is quite dreamy! Honestly, it was love at first sight for me. We had a mutual friend that was in a play, but we didn’t know each other yet. As the play began, the stage lights lit up the first row of seats and I happened to glance over and see Casey. I remember saying to myself, “Wow, she is strikingly gorgeous!” I couldn’t stop looking at her big, beautiful eyes and incredible smile. At the end of the play, she ran up and hugged our mutual friend. I began to introduce myself, talking a mile a minute with excitement. We ended up meeting for coffee a few months later and our love story began.

Q: What is your favorite thing about her?

Casey: I mean, I think I’m hilarious, but Karrie’s catching up to me. I love her humor.

Karrie: My favorite thing about Casey is she has this positive, infectious energy that I instantly felt the moment I met her. She wears a smile and loves to laugh as much as I do!

Q: What are you looking forward to most about married life?

Casey: I was trying to think of something sappy, but honestly just the little things … coffee in the mornings, cooking dinner at night, venting about work, singing in the car, traveling around the world and just laughing our asses off.

Karrie: I’m looking forward to the ordinary and simple things in everyday life. I’m really looking forward to cooking, cleaning, shopping and walking the dogs together. I can’t wait to go on weekend dates to the movies and out to dinner. Most of all, I can’t wait to fall asleep and wake up next to her.

Q: Where do you see yourselves 10 years from now?

Casey: Ten years from now, I’ll be planning Karrie a surprise 50th with all of her friends and family … and lots of tacos.

Karrie: I see us either living in Hawaii or outside of the country and traveling the world together. We’ll have our own businesses and continue to discover, grow and create an adventurous life together for us and the kids. We would like to write a book together as well.

Q: What does “love” mean to you?

Casey: To me, love is a choice and I choose Karrie every day.

Karrie: Love is when you want your partner to be joyous and free to evolve, change and discover what truly makes them happy. Love is when you respect and rely on one another for support, but you don’t lose your own identity.

Q: How did you know you were ready to get engaged?

Casey: I’ve never met anyone like Karrie. Things just fit — she sees me. And have you seen her? Fire!

Karrie: I knew I was ready to get engaged because I couldn’t imagine doing life without Casey. I knew Casey was my person when she encouraged me to truly accept and love myself. She encouraged me to be vulnerable, honest and authentic, while still unconditionally loving all the dark and bright parts of me.

Q: Were you surprised when Karrie popped the question?

Casey: Yes and no. We had talked about marriage. I was actually going to ask her to marry me, but she beat me to it.

Q: How did you plan the proposal?

Karrie: I started working on different ideas a few months before my trip to Thailand. I wanted it to be outside and captured at our favorite time of day, the “Golden Hour” just before the sun goes down. We drove up to a cute mountain town called Pai and stayed at the Quarter Boutique Hotel. I had photographers waiting in a garden and got down on one knee while she sat on a cute little bench. We had a private dinner in the garden as well. I wanted to incorporate a Thailand tradition, so I had us light up wish lanterns and release them.

Q: What was your favorite thing about the proposal?

Casey: My favorite thing was she planned everything from the other side of the world and it was flawless. Every time I turned around, there was another surprise.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about the wedding?

Casey: The endless amounts of pizza, tacos, doughnuts, dancing, karaoke and so much love in one room!

Karrie: We’ve discussed planning a private ceremony in Italy, which I’m really excited about. I’m also really looking forward to celebrating with her family in Connecticut. I can’t wait for karaoke, dancing and laughs.

Q: What advice do you have for couples that are thinking about getting engaged?

Casey: I think Karrie getting a photographer was the best idea ever. They captured everything!

Karrie: Just make sure you always do what works best for the two of you. Don’t worry about what other people think or outside opinions.

Q: What made you choose Shane Co.?

Karrie: Casey sent me a few pictures of rings she really liked. I looked up what company made her first choice and it was Shane Co. I really loved the five-stone setting and the design reminded me of Casey’s style.

Q: What was your favorite part of the shopping experience?

Karrie: My favorite part of the experience was my salesperson, Mitchell Richards! The store was super busy because it was just two days before Valentine’s Day. I walked in and people were waiting in line. I walked around and happened to find the exact ring Casey had picked out. Mitchell approached me and asked if I wanted to see the ring before beginning to explain the design, saying that my boyfriend would love it. I corrected him and said it was actually for my girlfriend. Mitchell didn’t waver or change his enthusiasm and was super supportive! He started to ask about Casey and the proposal. I explained that she lives in Thailand and I had set up an epic engagement in the mountains of Chiang Mai. He began to tell me about the owner, Tom Shane, and how he is often in Thailand and imports many of his gems from there. The connection blew my mind. Mitchell’s knowledge and passion about Shane Co. and his sincere interest in our engagement truly made the whole experience so memorable and exciting.

Q: What do you love about your ring?

Casey: I love wearing my ring, partly because I thought this day would never come. One of my favorite parts of the ring is that it’s simply me. The five diamonds represent each one of us in the family: my fiancée, Karrie; myself; daughter, Lila; son, Holden; and, of course, our dog, Frankie.

Q: Do you have any ideas about what your ring will look like?

Karrie: I’ve looked at a few styles and I’m leaning toward either a cushion or radiant halo diamond design.

Q: Are you going to shop for Karrie’s ring together?

Casey: Shop together? Of course! However, I want to surprise her.

Karrie: Right now, we can’t shop together because Casey is still in Thailand. However, I’m visiting her again in June, so maybe that’s something we can look at together to get ideas. I wish there was a Shane Co. store in Thailand!

The post Shane Co. Customer Stories: Karrie and Casey’s Engagement appeared first on The Loupe.

Ultimately, we picked a winner whose proposal was so sweet it nearly gave us a toothache. Congratulations to Yolanda H. and her fiancée Elena! Your snowy Colorado proposal melted our hearts, from your beautiful photo capturing the big day to the intimate story of how you popped the question. We loved that you spent some time talking to your sweetheart about all the memorable moments you’ve shared together, and we could tell how much you wanted to make her your one and only. We’re sure it was the happiest surprise of her life. Read on to hear all the details about Yolanda’s proposal.

Yolanda and Elena:

“February 22, 2019, will forever be a special day for us. It was a snowy day in Colorado and this plan had been in the works for months. I hired a photographer to capture the proposal. The plan was to tell my now-fiancée Elena that I scheduled a couples photo session so we could make our house more ‘us.’ We recently moved in with each other in December and I just wanted to make it more cozy. All the while, I was really planning on making her my forever love and in this for the long haul. The photographer and I decided to take our photos up at Daniels Park in Littleton. It had a beautiful view of the Front Range and I wanted to have that picture-perfect moment. We drove up there the day of our photo session and during the drive, I had her listen to some of our songs and reminisce on all the adventures and fun we have had in the year and a half we have been together. I couldn’t help but tear up a little but had to try hard to not be a blubberxing mess, otherwise she would know something was up. Once we arrived, we met up with the photographer and took some cute couples photos for 15 minutes. Then Elena was asked to take some photos on her own with her back to me. The photographer motioned for me to get down on one knee. When Elena turned around, there I was on one knee. She was so surprised and so happy that all she started saying was, ‘YES!! Yes!!’”

It was nearly impossible to pick just one winner, so we wanted to share some of our other favorites from this year’s contest. Take a look below for more romance!

Hunter and Amber:

“My fiancée and I loved hiking mountains, albeit I like to hike a little too far for her. I brought her up this long trail to see a waterfall, stopping at an overlook to rest and ‘set up my camera’ to do some time-lapse photography. Instead, I planned to propose, and got the whole thing as a time lapse of the mountains, colors and my future wife.”

Jamie and Elias:

“Elias had scheduled a professional photo shoot while we were in Greece at 6:00 in the morning, claiming that we didn’t have a lot of pictures of us dressed up together. At the beginning everything was normal, and then the photographer was telling me how to pose with my back to him. I hear Elias moving around and I asked him, ‘What are you doing?’ He responds, ‘Nothing,’ then he asks, ‘Are you in the mood for questions?’ and I lost it from there. I was laughing, and then by the time I turned around I was ugly crying. He asked, ‘Will you marry me?’ and then I really started crying and said, ‘YES!!’”

Tristan J.:

“To her it was a Friday night start of a series just like any other, but to me it was the night I was going to propose to my high school sweetheart. This was in Augusta, Georgia, and her dad, who lives in D.C., surprised her by coming down for the weekend. After the game was over we all went on the field to ‘take pictures’ and that’s when the speakers started playing our favorite song and I got down on one knee. Pulled a baseball out of my back pocket and inside was a beautiful ring that she happily wears to this day. Thank you, Shane Co., for making my dreams come true.”

Alex J.:

“Ouray, Colorado, has always been my favorite town in Colorado. After my fiancé and I met in college, I brought him down there. He fell in love with the town and we decided to always have a mini weekend vacation down there at least once a year. In February 2019 we went down there and snowshoed to Ironton Park, which has a small ghost town. As we stopped at one of our favorite buildings, we set up our camera to take a few photos. As the five burst shots started, my fiancé got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, this was after I was confused on why he was getting down on one knee. I said yes and the rest is history.”

Kimberly B.:

“For Christmas he got me professional pictures scheduled for us to take. He had always told me that taking pictures with your boyfriend/girlfriend was silly and he would never do it — but we had just gotten a house so I thought he just caved a little. A few weeks later, we were posing for fun, cute couple pictures and the photographer was in on it too. She made us strike a pose of me facing away from him and him running up behind me to hold me to get that perfect live-action shot. Little did I know, he wasn’t coming up behind me to take the picture, he was getting down on one knee!!!! She counted to three to have him run to me, I heard him take a step and then it went quiet. Still oblivious, I didn’t turn around. Just standing there, waiting for my instructions, hoping he didn’t fall or something, and I hear him tell me to turn around. Confused, but very curious, I turned around to see my best friend, the love of my life, promising to love me forever! AND HE GOT IT ALL ON CAMERA. These are the pictures I will cherish forever. Thank you, Shane Co., for helping him find the perfect engagement ring. It is absolutely beautiful.”

Elias C.:

“After a year and a half, I wanted to propose to Paula but wanted to do something special ― a memory to last forever. So we went on vacation to Miami and we took a boat tour to see celebrity homes. I proposed in front of all the people on board the boat. She said yes!”

The post 2019 National Proposal Day Contest Winners appeared first on The Loupe.

We’ve rounded up just a few of our favorites to pass along a little proposal inspiration for anyone who may be thinking about popping the question. Congratulations to all of these Shane Co. couples!

“Glad I get to spend the rest of my life with this beautiful woman.” – Zack F.

“My fiancé proposed at the same place as our first date, where he asked me to be his girlfriend, and where we said ‘I love you’ to each other. In just a few weeks, we’re moving into our home we built together in that same location!” – Trammie N.

“SHE SAID YES! On our five-year-and-one-day anniversary of our first date to the Indiana State Fair, I asked Kennedy to be my wife at the top of the Ferris wheel. I can’t wait to start the rest of my life with you, Ken!” – Evan K.

“It was an oddly warm Saturday in September. My now-fiancé and I had a hike planned at Taylor’s Falls. We love to be active and enjoy nature, so this day was nothing out of the ordinary (or so I thought). We walked and talked and enjoyed the beautiful day until we came to a clearing where we could see across the river. Taji wandered a short distance over to a large rock where we could have a better view and told me to come and see. As I was admiring the landscape, he had laid out a blanket and was in the process of getting down on one knee. When I turned around and realized what was happening, I was in COMPLETE shock. I started crying tears of pure joy and total surprise, as I had absolutely no idea that it was coming. After the proposal, Taji drove me to a park where about 40 of our closest friends were waiting to celebrate with us. I could not imagine a better proposal, and I’m so glad he had photographers there to catch the special moment so we can always relive the excitement from that day!” – Kendra J.

“Vinny surprised me with a tattoo proposal. He is a tattoo artist and took me to the shop that day and said I was going to tattoo him for my first time ever! He pulled up his pant leg and this is what I was going to tattoo! I was so surprised. I’m in love with my pear-shaped ring!” – Brooke W.

The post Proposal Ideas appeared first on The Loupe.

Dauda and Chryston first met completely by chance in their hometown of Tampa, Florida, in August 2013. Dauda remembers that they kept making eye contact at an event they both attended, and as they crossed paths at the exit, Dauda got up the courage to ask Chryston for her name and number. The rest is history!

Dauda and Chryston have made many memories during their time dating, like going on a cruise and touring Paris together. But even before these milestones, Dauda says he knew he was going to propose to Chryston, because he could see from the very beginning that she was everything he’d ever wanted in a partner and more. Before he could propose, Dauda had to find the perfect ring.

He knew that Chryston wanted a vintage-style ring, and he had seen a few photos of engagement rings that Chryston liked. After doing his homework, Dauda headed to Shane Co. and selected the perfect vintage setting with a floral halo, and with the sales associate’s guidance, found a beautiful brilliant round diamond to set in the center. When he saw everything finished together, he knew he had created Chryston’s dream ring!

Dauda decided to make the proposal a complete surprise to Chryston, and got several friends in on the plan. First, he recruited his coworker Tray, who is also a photographer in his spare time, as well as Chryston’s close friend Annie and her boyfriend, Will. Annie told Chryston that Tray was one of her clients and that she wanted to build up his portfolio with a “couples in love” photo shoot, and wanted to know if she and Dauda would join Annie and Will in being one of the couples. Chryston was thrilled and said they absolutely would.

To throw Chryston off, Dauda acted like he didn’t really want to partake in their friend’s photo shoot. He actually got in trouble with her for not helping because he acted so convincing! But on the big day, he “reluctantly” came along to their beautiful shoot location on a rooftop overlooking downtown Atlanta. Chryston had spent the whole day planning her hair, outfit and even Dauda’s outfit, so between the view and her preparations, Dauda was sure everything would be just perfect for their proposal pictures.

After they arrived and had been taking photos for a little while, Tray asked Chryston to pose in front of the skyline while Dauda stood behind her. Dauda quietly knelt while Tray snapped away, and then Tray asked Chryston to try a new pose where she looked over her shoulder at Dauda. Dauda says at first, Chryston completely overlooked the fact that he was on one knee because she thought it was all for the photo shoot! Suddenly, Chryston realized Dauda was actually holding out a small box and she did a double take. Tears started streaming down her face and she began to repeat, “Are you kidding?” as Dauda took her hand and asked if she would marry him. She said yes!

Annie and Will brought out a couple of bottles of champagne and custom glasses, and everyone toasted to the couple. Then, Dauda and Chryston went for a stroll alone through the nearby Centennial Park, and indulged in an amazing brunch with bottomless mimosas before heading to a romantic couples suite at the Hilton that Dauda had booked. It was full of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and plenty of rose petals.

Dauda and Chryston are currently discussing potential wedding dates and visiting venues. We can’t wait to see how their lovely wedding will turn out!

The post Dauda & Chryston’s Picture-Perfect Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

The two met when Jess joined Sam’s team at Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky. Sam swears he had nothing to do with the decision, but Jess’ desk ended up being right next to his. Eventually they developed a friendship and started taking daily walks together during their break. This friendship morphed into texting, then some long calls, a few double dates and eventually a full-fledged relationship.

For the last three and a half years, Sam and Jess have enjoyed plenty of adventures like weekend cabin getaways, international cruises and even moving in together! Sam says Jess has become the love of his life, and he was so excited to plan the perfect proposal. So, in October of 2016, Sam and Jess decided to make a little trip to Shane Co.

At the time, Sam said he was planning on proposing a year from this first visit to Shane Co., but Jess fell in love with her dream engagement ring: a beautiful rose gold infinity ring with a lovely halo. That December, Sam went ahead and bought Jess’ ring, and worked with our Louisville store until the end of January to find the perfect brilliant round diamond to set in the center. He said his decision about the center diamond was confirmed when two ladies next to him in the store went all aflutter over the combo!

With ring in hand, Sam just had to wait a month for the day of the proposal—Jess’ 30^th birthday on February 18. Sam says you’ve never met anyone as obsessed with birthdays as Jess. She tends to pull out all the stops for others, and she’s known for turning her big day into more of a “birth month” celebration. As Sam put it, “Your 30^th birthday is a moment in a time that you are guaranteed to visit only once,” so it was the perfect special time and place for Jess’ proposal.

On the day of the proposal, Jess and Sam went to brunch with close friends and family, then headed to their alma mater to watch a basketball victory. Afterwards, they went to dinner with Jess’ family at a gastropub with a menu tailored to include all of Jess’ favorites. Then they all traveled to a friend’s home where they met up with 30 more friends and family members. They had gone all out decorating with things like giant balloons, Jess bobble heads, a photo booth and a positively huge cupcake piñata!

Jess thought it’d be fun to do a cake smash for her birthday, but Sam planned for her to “smash” a giant cupcake instead. So, Sam grabbed the golden karaoke microphone and asked everyone to gather around the piñata, while handing Jess a custom baseball bat wrapped in a white ribbon. Jess was delighted and attacked the piñata until it spilled out 600 rose petals and 30 Ring Pops. She hadn’t noticed that the ribbon on her bat had become undone, until Sam pointed out that she should see what was under it. She ripped off the rest of the ribbon to find this message engraved in gold:

Happy 30^th Birthday!

Will you marry me, Jess?

February 18, 2017

Just as it sank in, “Single Ladies” began playing and Sam went down on one knee and presented Jess with her dream ring. Still doubled over in shock, Jess gave him a big “yes!” Sam says the best moments of his life have been the moments spent with Jess, and the proposal was the best of those.

Sam and Jess haven’t yet made many plans for their wedding, but they’re having tons of fun experiencing venue tours, cake tastings and all of the other exciting activities that come along with getting married. We wish these two lovebirds the best on their journey, and we can’t wait to see what comes next for them.

The post Jess & Sam’s Birthday Surprise Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

Shawn and Jessica met on a blind date set up by her best friend. They went on a bowling double date, and Jessica thinks Shawn must have been pretty nervous because it remains the only time she’s ever beaten him at a sport! That date kicked off the first relationship for both of them, and four and a half years later, they’ve gotten to celebrate all of their first milestones together, from a first kiss, to graduating college and getting their first jobs. At about the three-year point, Shawn and Jessica started seriously discussing marriage and made the decision to look for rings together, but Shawn got to decide when and how the actual proposal was going to take place.

When they went shopping for rings, Jessica was looking for something timeless, traditional and not too large since she has such slender fingers. She had done some shopping around on the Shane Co. website, but once they made an in-person visit, it was Shawn who spotted the beautiful ring that Jessica ultimately fell in love with. It has a dainty, thin band with bezel-set diamonds, and Jessica chose to set a stunning princess cut diamond as the center stone to complete her dainty dream ring!

With the perfect ring decided on, Jessica now just had to wait for the big proposal. She had a clue it was coming soon when she found out that Shawn had asked her sister and her parents for their blessing. Then, one day Shawn mentioned casually to Jessica that he’d like to go out for dinner at Bisetti’s in Old Town Fort Collins—the restaurant where they celebrated their first anniversary. That night, he made a few closed-door phone calls and Jessica decided that before they left she should probably do her hair, makeup and nails just in case! On their way to Bisetti’s, a heavy snow began and it continued through their meal.

As they were walking back to their car, Shawn took Jessica down a route that passed through a gorgeous open courtyard strung with fairy lights. With the snow, it had become a perfect winter wonderland. As the snow continued to fall, Shawn got down on one knee and asked Jessica if she would marry him! The second Jessica choked out a teary “yes,” out popped her sister, as well as Shawn’s siblings and Jessica’s best friend Jamie, who had set them up on that blind date so many years ago. Jessica had no idea they would be there for this moment, and it was so special to celebrate afterwards with them and a bottle of champagne!

Shawn and Jessica are looking forward to having their wedding in the summer of 2018. We’re so excited for this wonderful couple and are so happy to be a part of their love story!

The post Shawn and Jessica’s Winter Wonderland Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

Danny, Shane Co.’s live endorser at 610 Sports Radio Kansas City, and his love Stephanie met at a Kansas City bar watching their college football teams play against each other. They instantly bonded over their love of the sport, which turned into a night of dinner and drinks. The two have been creating memories ever since. Taking vacations to Mexico, moving in together with an adorable puppy and going to Arizona for the national championship game to watch Stephanie’s team are just a few highlights. Danny says he knew he was finally ready to propose when he realized that he didn’t just look forward to coming home after work, but he specifically looked forward to seeing Stephanie.

Danny and Stephanie had talked about getting engaged previously, and even though Stephanie knew a proposal was coming eventually, she had no idea when or where. Danny decided to take her to Loose Park in Kansas City, and to get her there without any suspicion, Danny said they were going to meet up with his cousin and her kids. Once they got to the perfect spot just over the bridge, Danny told her that his family had been coming to this park for generations, and now he wanted to make her part of his family. Stephanie immediately started crying and couldn’t get out a “yes,” but they both knew this was the start of forever. To celebrate, they went to lunch where they had their first date and topped off the weekend with a couples massage.

Danny said his fiancée made picking a ring very easy, as she had told him she wanted a simple and classic ring. Her dream ring was a round diamond and she emphasized that “size definitely mattered!” With the help of Shane Co., Danny learned all about cut, color, clarity and everything that factored into his choice. He found exactly what Stephanie wanted and says she is beyond thrilled.

Danny and Stephanie plan to get married in the spring or summer of 2017. Congratulations to this Shane Co. couple and thank you for letting us be a part of your love story!

The post Danny and Stephanie’s Perfect Park Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

Kyle and Amber met through mutual college friends a year after graduation. They discovered that they had classes together at school, but simply missed each other until they were introduced through Kyle’s roommate’s girlfriend. Talk about fate!

Since then, these two lovebirds have created several years of wonderful memories together, like their first “I love you” during a Florida vacation, moving in with each other (building pillow forts included) and even adopting a mini Goldendoodle, Paisley! Toward the end of May, one day when Amber was at work, Kyle said he looked around at the life they had built together, called his father and said, “I think I’m ready to ask Amber to marry me.”

Amber had been sending subtle ring hints for a while, so Kyle took those and her Pinterest boards as inspiration, then had her mother and best friend suggest some jewelry shopping excursions where the sales associates were notified to be on high alert and take note of Amber’s favorites. After a lot of shopping, Kyle eventually decided to get Amber’s ring at Shane Co. He knew she loved hexagon and octagon halos, which were not originally in stock at Shane Co. However, Nicole, Kyle’s Shane Co. sales associate, found out about a hexagon halo ring design that Shane Co. was considering, and she worked her magic! When Kyle saw the photo of the special, not-yet-produced ring, he knew it was the one and picked out Amber’s center diamond to complete the gorgeous look.

Ring in hand, Kyle started planning the perfect proposal. He knew he wanted the special moment to happen in the Butterfly Room of the Indianapolis Zoo, a special place for both of them. While dating, they had gone there for Amber’s birthday and Kyle took a photo of her holding one of the butterflies. When he looked at the picture, he says he knew Amber was the one he would love forever, so it was only fitting that the proposal happen there! Kyle spent several months planning with Amber’s mother and inviting all of their family and friends to be present for the big moment. About three weeks out, he had his sister tell Amber that she wanted to come into town, and Amber had the idea of spending a day getting their nails done and going to Christmas at the Zoo.

This provided Kyle the perfect excuse to get Amber to the Indianapolis Zoo, where he suggested that they all go look at the Christmas lights in the Butterfly Room. Once they walked in, Kyle started getting so nervous. He had a whole speech prepared, but he just couldn’t wait. He dropped to one knee, told Amber how much he loved her and popped the big question! As Amber said “yes!” over 40 of her and Kyle’s family and friends popped out and cheered. Kyle had a huge engagement party planned afterwards and they spent the entire night celebrating.

We’re so excited for this wonderful couple!

The post Kyle and Amber’s Proposal Will Give You Butterflies! appeared first on The Loupe.

Kevin and Lauren met through a mutual friend and sparks flew immediately. Since then, they’ve been on a journey of love that has encompassed major life events including Lauren’s college graduation, adopting a puppy together and plenty of family get-togethers and vacations! Lauren said that once she felt ready, she started dropping little hints to Kevin about getting engaged, like, “I can’t wait to be an aunt to all your nieces and nephews!”

Looks like Kevin got the hint, because soon the two went to pick out her engagement ring together! Lauren and Kevin visited our Indianapolis jewelry store and saw quite a few rings that Lauren liked, but none felt like “the one.” Suddenly, the sales associate said he had an idea and went to the back of the store to bring out a ring he thought she might like. When he came back with the ring, Lauren got tears in her eyes and knew the search was over. Putting her mother’s center stone into the ring was the final touch that went into making it the perfect match for her.

Now that Lauren had her perfect guy and perfect ring, she just had to wait for the perfect proposal! One night, the couple had plans to head downtown for Kevin’s aunt and uncle’s anniversary. On the way to the restaurant Lauren got a text from Kevin’s sister saying that some family members got stuck at work and were going to be late. Lauren wasn’t pleased since they were already on their way there, but Kevin suggested that they take a nice stroll around a canal to pass the time before getting there.

During their walk Kevin stopped suddenly and told Lauren she should turn around. As she did, she spotted her cousin and Kevin’s niece and nephew standing on the bridge holding a big sign that said “Will you marry me?” Lauren was completely surprised and, of course, she said yes! As an added surprise, Kevin’s sister was taking photos of the whole thing!

To top everything off, Kevin told Lauren that his parents had no idea the proposal was taking place and they were going to go surprise them at dinner. As they walked up to the restaurant, Kevin held out Lauren’s left hand to let his parents in on the surprise! Lauren says his mom’s face was priceless.

Once they got inside, Lauren discovered that not only were Kevin’s parents there, but so was the rest of Kevin’s family—and her family too! Lauren said it was so touching that she started bawling! To end the night, Kevin took Lauren on a romantic carriage ride downtown.

Kevin and Lauren are planning to get married in October 2016. We’re so excited for the couple and are thrilled to be a part of their love story!

The post Lauren & Kevin’s Surprise Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

Alyssa and Josh met in 8th grade and started dating during their freshman year of high school. When they graduated, the two ventured off to different colleges. After just one year apart, Alyssa transferred schools to run cross country, while Josh had made a switch for his cadet program—they both ended up at the same university. It seems fate just wanted them to be together!

This past summer, Alyssa and Josh both got the opportunity to study abroad in Ireland for five weeks, and the number one place Alyssa wanted to go on the trip was the Cliffs of Moher. She had seen many pictures that were absolutely breathtaking! So, on their first open weekend, she and Josh took a trip to Galway, booked a day tour over to the cliffs and the Aran Islands, and rented bikes so they could explore the island.

When they were done riding their bikes around the island, they took a ferry boat and a bus to the Cliffs of Moher. On the bus, Josh asked Alyssa if she was excited to see the cliffs, and he couldn’t stop saying how excited he was too! When they finally arrived, Alyssa was amazed and wanted to take as many pictures as possible. Josh slowly guided her along the hiking trail as she followed with the camera. Eventually, he stopped on the trail and asked if they could take a picture together. Alyssa was pretty surprised, because normally Josh hates taking pictures.

Josh asked a passerby to take a picture, and he and Alyssa posed for a gorgeous photo in front of the cliffs. Then he asked if they would take just one more photo—that’s when he got down on one knee! Josh looked into Alyssa’s eyes as he opened a box with the most beautiful ring she had ever seen and asked his sweetheart of seven years to marry him!

Josh said he selected the engagement ring because he knew that Alyssa wanted something simple with a princess cut diamond. He wanted to make sure he got a special and unique diamond that matched everything Alyssa could want, so he worked with Shane Co. associates to bring in the diamond of his and her dreams!

Josh and Alyssa will be getting married in May of 2016 in Georgia. We are so happy they let us be a part of their love story!

The post Alyssa & Joshua’s Cliffs of Moher Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

Sam’s next big proposal came a little over six years later during a trip to Colorado. Sam is a Colorado native and he loves all things outdoorsy, so he decided to share his passions with Taylor on a vacation to his home state. Sam and Taylor headed up into the mountains near the Breckenridge area, and during a break in the rain, began trekking up to Montgomery Reservoir, one of Sam’s favorite scenic spots. At 10,000-plus feet high, the trees and mountains were glistening with snow! Taylor recalls that it was unbelievably gorgeous and, with no one around for miles, incredibly romantic. Little did Taylor know how romantic it was about to get! She turned away from Sam for a few moments to capture some pictures of the beautiful view, and when she turned back, he was on one knee! Then he asked the question she had dreamt of hearing for years: “Will you marry me?” Between laughing, and crying, Taylor managed to squeak out a very excited, “Of course!” While she knew that a proposal was coming, Taylor was still totally surprised that Sam had chosen that moment.

Since Taylor and Sam were on vacation, the rest of their trip was a giant celebration. They were already booked at a luxurious hotel in Beaver Creek, but being a newly engaged couple made the stay even more special. It was Cinco de Mayo, so that evening—after making a handful of phone calls to spread the good news—they celebrated with enchiladas and margaritas at a nearby Mexican restaurant. The following evening, Sam made reservations at Elway’s, a steak house in Vail, where his parents surprised them by sending a bottle of Champagne to the table. Besides close friends and family, Sam and Taylor kept their engagement a secret for the remainder of the vacation, enjoying every second of living in their little bubble!

Sam did a beautiful job picking out Taylor’s ring, and she’s proud to say that she had no part in the decision process! All throughout their relationship, when the topic of getting engaged came up, Sam was very adamant that he didn’t want to go ring shopping together—instead, he wanted it to be a complete surprise! With the assistance of his mom, Sam took Taylor’s Pinterest board to Shane Co., where the staff helped him find a ring that was the perfect combination of his and her styles: a cushion-cut diamond in a halo setting with a pavé split shank and baguette diamonds. Taylor describes it as absolutely gorgeous (and sparkly!), and says every time she looks at it, she smiles knowing he picked it on his own.

As for their future wedding plans, Taylor is an editor at a wedding magazine in Minneapolis, so she felt prepared to jump right into planning! She always envisioned a fall wedding, so they will be getting married in October 2016 at the Minneapolis Golf Club in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Congratulations to Taylor and Sam—we’re so happy we could be a part of your love story, and we wish you all the best in the future!

The post Taylor and Sam’s Colorado Mountain Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

One day during their trip, Derek finished up a round of golf and Ashley was about to start a day filled with shopping and sunbathing. Derek had other ideas, though, and asked Ashley if she’d take some pictures on the beach with him instead. Derek’s parents and sister were in on the plan and tagged along as the “photographers,” while Ashley’s sister was already on FaceTime to watch the proposal as well! As the two lovebirds strolled down the beach, Derek began to get a little nostalgic, telling Ashley how much he has loved her for the past two years. Ashley said her heart started to beat faster as she began to catch on. Just then, Derek turned to her, dropped to one knee, and pulled out a beautiful ring. As Ashley, Derek and their family walked back to the condo to celebrate, other beach-goers congratulated them on their engagement. Ashley said, “I was so excited, and my heart was so full of love knowing my heart found its mate.”

Before the proposal, Ashley had mentioned to Derek that she loved the white gold look for an engagement ring, and she dropped a couple of other hints about her preferences as well. However, the ring was a complete surprise! It looks to us like he did a fantastic job.

Ashley and Derek are set to get married in May 2016 at a private beach in Georgetown, South Carolina. Congratulations to this Shane Co. couple and thank you for letting us be a part of your love story!

The post Ashley & Derek’s Seaside Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

Justin and Brittany started dating when they met by chance at a restaurant a few years ago. After a little conversation, they found out they had attended the same high school and had a lot of mutual friends. They were a perfect match!

Over the next four years of dating, their relationship grew and Brittany dropped a few hints about what kind of ring she would like. Justin knew that ideally it would have a halo, feature rose gold and a princess cut diamond and, above all, it would be unique. With this list in mind, Justin visited the Shane Co. store in Woodbury, Minnesota and our team helped him create a custom ring that was everything Brittany wanted!

With the ring taken care of, Justin then planned a gorgeous surprise proposal at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, a place Brittany had mentioned she’d like to visit. On the day of the proposal, Justin and Brittany walked leisurely along the falls as Justin covertly guided her to a secluded spot with a gorgeous view of the waterfalls and rose petals sprinkled on the ground. As they approached, Justin’s friend Nate began to play “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” on the saxophone while his other friends Ryan and Jenny took pictures and video from a secret vantage point. Justin and Brittany danced together before Justin dropped to one knee and popped the big question. Brittany was completely surprised and, of course, she said yes!

Justin and Brittany look forward to having their wedding in September 2016 in Minneapolis, and we’re so excited to be a part of their big day. Congratulations, Justin and Brittany! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

If you’d like to see more of Brittany and Justin’s proposal, check out the video below.

The post Justin & Brittany’s Minnehaha Falls Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.

As we examined diamonds, he shared with me that he and Leah had been together for three years but she had recently moved to California for work. He planned to surprise her with a proposal on her upcoming visit, and would ultimately move to the West Coast to be with her.

After the proposal Terrence brought Leah in to look at wedding bands. It was apparent to everyone in the store that day that their love was as radiant as the diamond on her finger. She loved it, and couldn’t stop smiling the whole time.

I mentioned that Terrence would be moving with her to California soon and she excitedly told me there was no need, that she had decided to move back to Atlanta to be with him! She went on to tell us the story of how Terrence got down on one knee and proposed. All of us women gathered around to swoon.

We all wanted to know more, so I took the liberty of asking Terrence and Leah a few questions. Get your tissues out!

How did you two meet?

She said: We met at a random party on August 8, 2009. A friend of mine from New York was visiting Atlanta for the first time, and she wanted to experience the nightlife. I wasn’t really into the whole party scene, so randomly I picked an all-white party hosted by a former college buddy of mine. Turns out the party wasn’t the “happening spot.” My girls and I ended up dancing with each other in the center of the empty dance floor. Then a group of guys came along, pretty much in the same situation.

Terrence’s twin brother approached my buddy from New York, and by the end of the night Terrence and I shared a dance. As we were leaving, Terrence invited us to join them the next evening to help continue his birthday celebration. We exchanged numbers, but I chose to not join him the next evening. Two years later we began dating.

He said: Leah and I met the weekend of my 23rd birthday, on August 8th, 2009, at a white party in downtown Atlanta. She had a friend in town and was trying to be the life of the party. I also had plans to party with my friends all weekend. I noticed her dancing along with her sister and few of her friends. I tested my luck and approached her to dance with me. From what she says, she gave me her number by the end of the night as a way to entertain her company. Well unfortunately, I didn’t see her again for a while after that weekend, but we did stay in touch for a few months. From texting and talking on the phone to a friendly dinner, we took our time…and the rest is history!

When did you know you wanted to spend the rest of your life with him/her?

She said: In 2013, I moved to California, not knowing a single soul out there. This was a dream I had been working toward for four years. I left with the intent of following my own dream, despite the fact that it separated me from Terrence. I had to do this for myself. Terrence without hesitation supported my decision.

Though miles apart, our relationship continued and my love, trust and admiration for Terrence grew stronger. All of a sudden, every new thing I learned, every new dish I tried, every new person I met and every new adventure I experienced left me with a feeling of “this would be so much better if Terrence was here.” With Terrence, my life has more laughter, more love, more warmth, more self-awareness and more purpose. I want that for the rest of my life.

He said: I knew early on in our relationship that I wanted to marry Leah. Even when we considered each other just friends, I was attracted to everything about her. I always have told her that she’s the first person I met that I could actually see myself marrying!

What do you love about each other most?

She said: Terrence’s genuine kindness. He’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet, I promise! His kindness feeds my appetite to love him more and be my best person. I love him!

He said: Leah and I balance each other out. As cliché as it may sound, she’s the yin to my yang. She also matches me emotionally and spiritually. She has a beautiful heart and it shows through her smile.

How did you propose?

He said: Leah had been living in California at the time, and I personally knew that I wanted to propose before the end of the year. With her coming home for the holidays, I narrowed my ring choices down to two that were in my budget. Something told me to visit Shane Co. the week of Thanksgiving. There I met Miss Sharie Grant. She assisted me in the finding the best diamond ring I had ever seen, and once I had a ring, I was more than ready. I believe I picked it up the next day and the following day Leah flew into town.

My original plan was to propose during her sister’s baby shower around her family. When those plans changed, I had to improvise. The morning after Thanksgiving we were supposed to drive to Macon, GA. Before our trip I took Leah to get her hair done at Avalon Alpharetta! From there I reached out to her sister, who wasn’t too far away. I managed to grab some flowers and a small Santa hat. After Leah’s hair appointment I walked her outside next to a huge Christmas tree. It was there that I asked her if she wanted to go shopping. Little did she know I had her sister show up with her husband, and her niece presented her with the flowers while wearing the hat. With that as my decoy, I surprised her when she turned around! She said “Yes!” Our wedding date is exactly 6 years from the day that we met each other!

It’s always nice to see true love in action. Terrence and Leah will be married on August 8, 2015. They are one of my favorite couples to date and I am happy to have been even a small part of their story.

The post Terrence and Leah’s Long-Distance Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.