Words: Kendall
Published: August 4, 2011

Today we have a special proposal for you. Matt came to us with a great idea but really wanted to add a few more special touches. With family so important to him and Kaitlynn he picked the perfect setting for the proposal: in front of all her family and friends. He was so wonderful to work with and we wish them the best on their new life together! Here is their proposal video! You can read their sides of the proposal story below.

Matt’s perspective:

I wanted the proposal to be awesome and memorable. Everything I read on-line recommended to definitely not propose in front of family and friends, however (call me stubborn) I knew that I was going to. In our situation, for as long as we have been dating, with as close as each of us are to not only our own families but the other’s as well I knew it would be great to have everyone there. The Yes Girls were very supportive gave me great ideas on how to make everything work and a few more intimate touches that meant a lot to Kaitlynn. I had most everything planned that day, but had not had the group together to practice the proposal until the day of. I was still confident it was great and would work smoothly. We arrived at Kaitlynn’s and everything happened quickly and smoothly from there. I told Kaitlynn months before that I would propose to her while she was in a bikini, I didn’t have it planned and she forgot I said that but it was funny that it worked out like that.

It was great to have many important people to us at the party. A sincere thank you is owed to Mr. And Mrs. Terzano (parents of Kaitlynn) for saying yes, hosting the party and helping in every way that they could. Also to my mom, dad and sister for assisting with the proposal by symbolically handing the roses, violets and sugar bowl. Thank you to Ali and Hope for helping with the flowers and unselfishly video taping the proposal for those that wanted to watch it after. Thank you to my best friend and brother Chris and our forever mutual friends; Gary, Mike, Elliott, Clay, Zeke, and Jeremy for making it fun, being so willing to help and staying in tune. Also a thank you to all if the other family and friends that were in attendance or wished us well afterwards. Thank you to Eric who without being asked created a video to music of the proposal and posted it on YouTube. Thank you to the Yes Girls for all of the help making this event memorable for Kaitlynn and I. Finally a thank you to Kaitlynn, you are an amazing friend and person and I look forward to continuing our life together.

Kaitlynn’s perspective:

The weekend started off like any other typical summer weekend at my parent’s house. I arrived home from working in Philly on Friday night to my mom and my grandma busy in the kitchen, preparing for the weekend ahead. In addition to my parents and my brother and sister, John and Annemarie, my aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family would be coming over the next day to hang out by the pool and enjoy a nice summer weekend at the Jersey shore. Knowing my parents, it was not at all unusual for them to be hosting a big family party with lots of food and lots of fun. Matt came over that night, and as always, he did his best to chip in and help get things ready for the weekend.

Matt also had a full house that weekend, as his family was hosting some friends and teammates of Matt’s brother, Chris, who were all in town to help with a football camp that Chris was running. Again, because my parents love having people over and our families get along so well, it did not seem at all unusual when my mom told Matt to bring his family over the next day, along with any of their guests who wanted to join. Matt nonchalantly said that he would pass along the invitation.

The next day, I woke up to sunshine and beautiful weather…a perfect day for a party by the pool. My family members started arriving, and everybody was having a great time relaxing, laughing, and enjoying the day together. Knowing that Matt would be working at the camp that morning, I texted him a couple of times throughout the day to see if he would be able to make it and if he would be bringing anybody with him. Around 3:30 in the afternoon, in walked Matt with his parents, his sister, Jacqueline, his brother, and several of the counselors from the football camp, including Matt’s good family friends, Gary and Hope. Suddenly, the house was full, and I began to help my mom put out the appetizers and make sure that everyone was comfortable and having a good time.

With a house full of people, I was easily distracted. I had no idea what was about to happen when Matt, his brother, and the other football players gathered everyone around to play a game on the patio. I was extremely confused when they started playing the game of telephone. The first round came and went, and before I could realize what was happening, Matt took my hand and walked me to the other side of the patio where he told me that we needed to make the game more fun by making a long distance call. As he let go of my hand and took a step backward, the other guys took a step forward and began to sing.

The moment I heard the first note, my heart started racing, and I knew exactly what was about to happen. They began to sing a song that has been special to me and Matt ever since we heard it together on a date during our senior year of high school. As they sang the lyrics “Roses are red my love, violets are blue,” Matt’s mom handed him a bouquet of roses and his sister handed him a bouquet of beautiful violet flowers, each wrapped with ribbons that Matt adorned with words that he felt described me. As they sang the last part of the chorus, “sugar is sweet my love, but not as sweet as you,” Matt got down on one knee, and his father handed him a sugar bowl which contained the most beautiful engagement ring. Matt proposed to me with the sweetest words I have ever heard, and I couldn’t wait to say YES!

I can’t imagine a better proposal. Surrounded by our families on a beautiful summer day, it was absolutely perfect in every way. It meant the world to me that Matt planned such an amazing day for us. All of the details made for a wonderful and romantic engagement story that we will be able to remember forever and someday tell our children about. I’m so excited to be marrying my best friend and the love of my life.

Engagement Ring: Blue Nile

We asked them both a few questions about their overall experience…

Kaitlynn: What was your favorite part of the proposal?

It is hard to pick a favorite part of the proposal. I can honestly say that everything about it was perfect. It was so amazing to be surrounded by both of our families on such a special day, and I absoultely loved all of the little romantic details that you girls suggested, including the flowers and the sugar bowl that were incorporated with the lyrics of the song.

Kaitlynn: How did you feel about Matt consulting proposal planners?

I love the fact that Matt put so much thought into planning the proposal, and I’m glad that he was able to consult you girls and get your feedback and ideas. The proposal was absolutely perfect for us, and although I could tell that he put a lot of thought and energy into coming up with the perfect way to propose, I know that he appreciated all of your ideas and suggestions that made our engagement so memorable and romantic. You helped him create such a special day for us and for our families. Thank you for all of your help!

Matt: Did the proposal turn out the way you hoped?

Frankly it turned out significantly better than I hoped. I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but all the pieces came together perfectly. I had a significant amount of help, from My family/friends and Kaitlynn’s family as well as the Yes Girls. Everything really went smoothly, since it was planned well I was confident and not that nervous, which helped because I told her exactly what I wanted during the proposal.

Matt: What was your favorite part of the planning process?

I am sure it’s different for everyone, for me it was exciting getting the ideas and nuances together that I knew Kaitlynn would like. Also it was great just having so many important people involved and laughing as we practiced singing the short song to her as a group.

Congrats again Matt and Kaitlynn! You’re a beautiful couple.

Love,