Inspiralized Engagement

Can you spiralize a wedding cake? I’m engaged!

EEK! I’m engaged! Lu proposed on Sunday morning and I said yes! We’re getting married!...

Inspiralized Engagement

EEK! I’m engaged!

Lu proposed on Sunday morning and I said yes! We’re getting married!

Can you sense my excitement? I’m still in shock! I’ve been overwhelmed with happiness, love, and pure giddiness and now, I get to share my story with those who support me every single day: my Inspiralized readers!

Truth: I had scheduled this post for Friday, but I just couldn’t wait to spill the beans.

Inspiralized Engagement

I’m just going to get right to it.

Lu and I woke up, normal as ever. We had a lazy morning, I did some blog work and then he gets a text from his friend Scott saying that they had a gift certificate that was going to expire at this restaurant called Liberty House, which is in the marina in Liberty State Park (which is a gorgeous park that holds the Statue of Liberty.) They invited us for brunch at 11:30am.

So, at 11:15am, Lu and I get on our bikes and bike over to Liberty House (the park’s only about a 10 minute bike ride.) It was so humid, muggy and just plain hot out. I was wearing comfy pants that were black, which didn’t help the situation. If I had known what was going to happen next, I would’ve worn something cuter!

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See? My hair looked like a triangle!

We hop off our bikes, parking them at the restaurant. When we hop off, Lu tells me that Scott and his wife, Katie, are running late, because their baby Jack was being fussy. Nothing out of the norm, but I was so hot and of course, complaining. Lu suggests that we walk around the area, which is gorgeous – it overlooks downtown Manhattan, there’s a 9/11 memorial and all the boats there in the marina.

Fine, I say, even though secretly, all I want to do is sit in the air conditioning.

We’re casually walking, talking about how excited we are to drive to my parents’ house later and hang out with the family. You see, Lu’s mom had been in town for about a week and a half from Puerto Rico, visiting. While she was visiting, we had casually planned on having my parents throw a barbecue at their home in New Jersey so more of my family could meet his mother. It was going to be my grandparents, parents, sister, Lu’s brother, Lu’s sister-in-law, and of course, Lu’s mom.

So, we keep walking, for about 5 minutes, and then we start to walk up a hilltop. It’s a small hilltop and at that point, I still wasn’t on to him.

Inspiralized Engagement

Then, I see it: a picnic. It was adorable – a blue blanket laid out with a straw basket, flowers, a bottle of champagne and some gorgeous flutes set up on a tray. I didn’t think it was for us, at all. The thing is, is that, I’ve always begged Lu to take me on a picnic. For whatever reason, we’ve never been on one together – but I’ve always thought the idea was adorable and romantic, and I wanted to have one with him.

Well, I sure did get my picnic!

He said, “Look – it’s a picnic.” I just thought he was teasing me, because he never takes me on picnics. I just kind of gave a “uh huh” and we kept walking towards it. As we finally get a few feet away, I see that there’s Veuve Cliquot set up, which is my favorite champagne. I looked at him and he goes, “This is for us.” At that point, I knew what was happening and I went into shock.

Inspiralized Engagement

Lu pointed into the city and then to our apartment building (right across from the Freedom Tower on the NJ side of the Hudson) telling me that this is ours together, our life and how he wants to spend the rest of his life with me and that he wants us to enjoy a picnic together.

I was in such shock. I hardly knew what was happening. Lu told me to pour us some champagne and as I turned around to nervously grab the glasses, I felt his hand on my hip, as he knelt down on one knee. He pulled a ring out of his pocket and asked me to marry him. I honestly don’t remember what he said in that proposal, because I blacked out I was in such shock!

Inspiralized

I just started kissing and hugging him and he said, “Well, do you say yes?” Of course, I said yes, and I looked down at the ring, as he slid it onto my finger. We had never gone ring shopping, although he had asked me what kind of rings I liked and I had shown him a picture. That’s it. This ring exceeded every single expectation I ever had – it was absolutely stunning, sparkly and so perfect for me, for us.

Inspiralized Engagement

We sat down on the blanket and just talked for the next 15 minutes, enjoying the moment together. He told me about how he went to ask my father and how he had planned everything. Everything was just so perfect, so sweet, so genuine and again, so us. After gluggin’ back a few nervous glasses of champagne, I called my mother, my sister, my grandparents and his family. Then, he called his friend Scott and said, “We’re ready for you.”

Inspiralized Engagement

His best friend Scott, who lives in Jersey City also, had been hiding out, capturing everything on camera! Although he’s a lawyer by day, photography is his hobby and he amazingly photographed the whole engagement. When Scott got there, I gave him a huge hug and then Lu and I excitedly took pictures together. Again, it was so perfect – I loved having Scott there, he’s become one of my closest friends through Lu.

Inspiralized Engagement

Then, his wife, Katie, (who had set up the picnic!) came out with her 2+ year old, Jack, and we all took more pictures together. We wrapped up the picnic and went to a restaurant in the park to have brunch. I couldn’t eat a thing, my stomach was in knots from all the adrenaline and the surprise! I just kept looking at Lu and down at my ring and so happy that everything had happened. I felt so absolutely blessed and grateful for my life and the direction it has taken.

Inspiralized Engagement

After brunch, Lu and I biked back to our apartment (I thought I was going to fall off the bike, my legs were like jelly from the nerves!) We got ready in 15 minutes and drove the 50 minutes to my parents’ house, picking up some wine and champagne on the way.

I couldn’t wait to celebrate with my family and show them the ring!

As we pull around the bend into my driveway, I saw a lot of cars. Way more than there should have been. I knew he had obviously invited a couple extra people, but as we walked onto my parents’ deck and into the kitchen, I saw – Lu had invited a bunch of our friends! Here are the guys – that’s my dad in the blue, on the right of Lu:

Inspiralized Engagement

It was another amazing surprise! I got to celebrate with everyone, it felt so good to see their faces and toast to our engagement. This is my infamous Poppy, who taught me everything I know about Italian cooking:

Inspiralized Engagement

My mother was adorable, playing the perfect hostess, and she got me this cute basket with wedding magazines, thank you notes, jewelry cleaner, champagne and chocolates.

The proposal, the surprise celebration… it was all perfection.

Mostly, I have to thank his sister in law who introduced us (that story, you can read here.) This is Christina:

Inspiralized Engagement

My sister (and soon to be MOH) is 24 and luckily, took PLENTY of selfies:

Inspiralized Engagement

Inspiralized Engagement

As we went to bed, exhausted from the day, we looked at each other and I couldn’t have been more in love with someone if I tried. He’s everything to me and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

Thank you for all your kind e-mails, comments and messages about our engagement. It means the world to me that you all care enough about me to take the time to send your love.

Inspiralized Engagement

So, tell me, what’s your best engagement/wedding planning advice?

with love, Ali

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comments

  • CONGRATULATIONS!!!
  • What a beautiful story - congratulations!! And I think your 'comfy' outfit still looks chic! :)
  • So happy for you! Congratulations and many blessings for a long life together! Oh, and ... think spiralized fondant for your wedding cake... ;-)
  • Congratulations! Beautiful story and pictures!! My best advice from helping my brother/sister-in-law plan their wedding is to stay calm and enjoy every second! Oh and people remember the music -- if they get up and have a good time dancing -/ not the flowers, food, and decor as much! Congrats again!
  • I love romantic engagements! Congratulations!
  • This is such a great story, Ali! Congratulations!! I'm forwarding this to my boyfriend as a hint for what I want one day ;)
  • CONGRATS!! I'm so happy for you two! It couldn't have been a cuter proposal and your ring is just stunning. He's a lucky guy!!
  • CONGRATULATIONS!! You two look great together, must be true love! Your spiralizer fan from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • Congratulations!!! Love the story and all the pictures! Lu thought of everything!
  • Congrats!!! That's a great story! Thanks for sharing !!!
  • Congratulations! I absolutely love LSP (and LIberty House); what a beautiful setting for such an amazing story!! You're pictures are beautiful! I was wondering how you got such cool shots, photo sniper. Wishing you much happiness!
  • Congrats!! Such sweet photos, you both look wonderful :)
  • so happy for you, ali!!!!!!! these photos are incredible. THAT RING! omg. ok but seriously, you're going to spiralize your cake, right?? hehehe.
  • Congratulations!!! Loved the story... and how awesome is it that you have such great pics to remember it forever?!?
  • Congratulations to you both! You're a very lucky girl but then he knows you're pretty special. Best wishes for a very happy future. X
  • I'm in tears, congrats! Well deserved.
  • Congratulations! I love getting your recipes every day, but this post was the best yet. You both are glowing!
  • Congratulations what a beautiful engagement and it looks like the day was spent perfectly celebrating with those you love!
  • Congrats! Best advice? Enjoy it. The planning, the big day, enjoy every minute!
  • Congratulations, Ali and Lu! Enjoy your time being engaged, you only get it once and it's tons of fun :)
  • Congratulations! I follow you on Instagram and saw the wonderful news there! You two look so happy together! All the best!
  • Congratulations to both of you and thank you for sharing your beautiful engagement story! What a thoughtful/romantic proposal. You're on you way to a joyful future together!
  • That is so exciting!!! Congrats <3 Being engaged is one of the most romantic and special times - savor every moment! My wedding planning advice is don't lose "you - the two of you" in the wedding to make other people happy.
  • Congratulations!
  • Congratulations!!! Re wedding advice...Just invite people that are family to you. It makes the world of difference to see all the truly important people that know & love you. We had a small wedding with 32 close friends & family. When we walked into restaurant & saw all the people that had impacted our lives, it made us both cry. Best day ever.
  • How sweet! Congratulations!
  • Beautiful story - congratulations! Enjoy your engagement, all the planning and a beautiful life together.
  • I love everything about this post, the picnic, the cover story, the secret photos and the party! Congrats to you both and cheers to an amazing future! (PS-that ring...Lu deserves a round of applause)
  • Congrats! What a beautiful story and pics to go along with it! You are blessed and I am really happy for you both. Having a guy who is so aware and sweet like that - you are lucky!
  • Congratulations! You're an adorable couple and I wish you both a wonderful future.
  • Ali (and Lu!) - Congratulations!! I'm SO happy for both of you. Betchya haven't stopped smiling! I know you'll treasure all the planning that went into such a fantastic surprise! The pictures are fabulous - thanks for letting us all glimpse that wonderful occasion! ~ruth
  • Congrats! What a cute story and surprise! I just got married so the best advice I can give is: don't stress about the wedding. Be true to yourself and it will come together.
  • What a beautiful engagement, he planned out all the details!!! Congratulations, enjoy every moment!!!
  • congrats!!!! what a wonderful engagement story!! wishing you the best!
  • Congratulations! Wedding advice: If you have more of a buffet/stations type reception rather than sit-down, give a friend the duty of making little plates of food to bring to you and Lu throughout the event. We did this and it was great...we had the food we needed for a long wedding and reception, but could still dance, hug and talk with our guests. Also, the site made us a picnic to take to the hotel with us when we left at the end of the evening. Since this is a food blog, I thought it would be okay to offer some nourishment advice! Wishing you and Lu many years of wedded bliss! Thank you for all you do!
  • Great engagement story! He's a keeper and a lucky man! My best advice: it's not about the wedding day...it's all about the marriage. Don't let the little details about the wedding day consume your lives because it's the days, months, and years afterwards that truly matter! And once you decide on something like the dress, flowers, etc never look at another wedding mag or Pinterest again or you'll go crazy!
  • What a beautiful story and I love that park as well. He did good!! Many congrats!
  • ¡¡Felicitaciones!! Estais una pareja hermosa
  • So so so happy for you both ❤️❤️
  • Congrats! Seems like you have a great man and a wonderful career ahead of you! Enjoy!
  • Congratulations!!
  • Congratulations!
  • Congratulations - hope you will always be happy together!
  • What a truly lovely story and the photo's are beautiful. Congratulations to you both!
  • Congratulations to the fullest!! I loved reading your story and thanks for sharing pictures too!! Wishing you stress free planning ;) ~ your inspiralized follower ;)
  • The perfect picnic...the one you have been waiting for..so romantic :)
  • What wonderful wonderful news! So so happy for you both! You are such a lovely person and deserve all this happiness!
    • Congrats - love the story (I lived in Jersey City, too, on Freedom Way, and had gone to that restaurant many times. It was beautifully written and heartfelt. Lots of happiness.
  • Wow these are wonderful news. Congratulations. This is awesome. Some great pictures, too!
  • Congratulations!!! Beautiful bride to be and such a beautiful way to propose!! He's a keeper!!
  • I am tearing up reading your beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it and all the best to you and Lu!
  • Congratulations. You will make a beautiful, blushing bride!
  • Well, how sweet is that? You're both very lucky to have found one another. Much happiness to you!!!
  • So happy for you both! You're an adorable couple and I'm wishing you all the happiness and love in the world!
  • Congrats!!!
  • Congrats! You certainly have a keeper! What an amazing day he planned - not a detail missed!!!
  • Congratulations! I recently got engaged this year and planning has been crazy. Actually, reading your blogs and using your recipes has helped my fiance and I relieve stress from all the wedding planning on top of work and other obligations. Enjoy!!!
  • So happy for you! And for Lu who is a smart man:). You, Lu and your families are so well matched. Blessings!
  • What a beautiful and thoughtful proposal! Wishing you two a gorgeous wedding and a lifetime of happiness! Enjoy your engagement, it's such a fun time! :-)
  • What a great engagement story. I wish you and Lou a lifetime of love and happiness together.
  • Ali, reading your story gave me goosebumps. Such a wonderful story! I am reminded of my engagement, which was 6 years and 2 weeks ago, which was a huge and wonderful surprise to me. We were married two weeks later - just celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary yesterday. I don't know if you've set a wedding date yet, but what I'd tell you is that it's okay not to wait too long to be married. I wish you and Lu a wonderful life together.
  • You could write a romance novel with that engagement story! Congrats to you both!
  • CONGRATS to you and your hubby to be! This is such an exciting (and overwhelming) time, just ENJOY it all :) I started following your blog after you were featured on the soulcycle community page and have been addicted to all things inspiralized ever since. I love your blog and am so happy for you, like I know you personally lol. Your engagement story is so sweet and I def shed a few happy tears for you.... I was married last year at The Liberty House and its so beautiful there. Your pictures are amazing and I have no doubt you will be a gorgeous bride! All the best in all the exciting things coming your way xoxo
  • Congrats to you both!! My advice is to enjoy the happiness of being engaged before your knee-jerk reaction to plan, plan, plan takes over. Relax and enjoy your engagement!
  • Congrats!!! What a beautiful story of a lovely and wonderful day. Congrats again!
  • How perfect!!!! Congrats again! You're going to be a beautiful bride. AND THAT RING!!!! Gorgeous.
  • I had tears in my eyes reading about your beautiful, perfect day. Congratulations!! Best time of your lives; enjoy it!
  • Awwww, how sweet was that! Congratulations and best wishes for a happy life together!
  • I had tears in my eyes as I read your engagement story! Many congratulations. Engagements are such a special time. My advice: enjoy and savor every moment, for you are a princess for the next few months and deserve every bit of attention coming your way.
  • Awww huge congrats on your news <3
  • Congratulations, Ali & Lu! So Exciting. Wishing you all of the happiness in the world.
  • How wonderful. Sincere congrats to you both. My advice on all of it? Don't spend a ton of money on the wedding...have an awesome honeymoon vacation that you will always remember. Weddings are quickly forgotten. Thanks for sharing your story. It is wonderful.
  • Love that your betrothed asked your father's permission! My husband asked my father 32 years ago...a great start to a great marriage. Good Luck to you both!
  • Great story, brought tears to my eyes. I love, love! Okay, so my wedding advice..here goes... Plan, plan, plan and be as stressful crazy as you like up to the day of the wedding. Then, on your wedding day, promise each other that whatever happens, happens. Enjoy every minute of it, as it is the day you are marrying the love of your life. If the cake falls, it falls...if the ring bearer doesn't want to go down the isle...so what. You get to be married to your love and that's what is important. I planned like crazy and then on the day, I let everything go and enjoyed every minute :) Congratulations!
  • Congrats! Huge lump in my throat reading your romantic love story!
  • Congrats!!! I absolutely loved reading this story, you did such a great job telling it, and he did such a great job creating it!! I am actually exactly three months engaged myself...we closed on our house April 29th and my fiance proposed in our empty living room over a makeshift candlelit dinner that night! Enjoy the bliss phase, and when your ready to start planning...book your venue first! I was shocked at how fast they book up. Good luck!
  • Huge congratulations to you both - what an old romantic he is! It's so lovely to read your story and I wish you every happiness for the future.
  • congrats! what a terrific engagement story! wishing you the very best. :D
  • Congratulations! Actually, you CAN spiralize a wedding cake, sort of. It's a Philippine technique called "sotas," and you can see it up close here: http://www.wilton.com/technique/Sotas#reviews. I made both my daughters' wedding cakes and they were covered in white sotas, really pretty! Here's just one example I pulled from the net: http://www.cakedot.com/2009/Jill680SampsonHerbGillenWed2-7-09.jpg. Keep us posted on all the plans and developments! Such fun!
  • Congrats! How perfect! Wishing you many, many years of complete happiness ♥
  • Congratulations! I wish you many years of wedded bliss! Btw, My daughter was married at the Liberty House in 2011. Go have a romantic dinner there you will not be disappointed!
  • Congrats Ali!! All the best to you!! What a fabulous year it has been for you!
  • Beautiful story! congrats! Wishing both of you many years of wedded bliss to come!
  • Congratulations! What a sweet way to propose. My best wedding planning advice is to try not to stress out about trying to make it "perfect". Part way through planning, I decided that the most important thing about the day was that we were married by the end of it. Everything else was just gravy. It turned out better than I could have imagined and I don't think I would have enjoyed it that much if I was stressing about every little detail.
  • Soooo happy for you! You make me happy with all your inventive recipes, glad to see you happy. Many blessings to you both!
  • Congrats! What a super sweet romantic engagement. Now as to a spiralized wedding cake, if anyone can come up with something it certainly will be you. P.S. Maybe we'll see the recipe In our new book!!
  • I think that Lu is a lucky man and deserves congratulations. Best wishes to you both.
  • congrats! the story made me cry!! beautiful and so romantic
  • Wow, i love how you wrote that story with the pictures. It made me excited and nervous just like i was with you when it happened! Congrats! You guys deserve the best. Love is such a wonderful thing. Your story reminded me of when my guy proposed & how i felt at the time. I had to stop & take a minute & go give him a kiss & tell him i love him. He said "whats that for" & i replied "Oh, nothing. I just read the Inspiralized blog for the day. I love you!" I had to laugh at his look of confusion. I could imagine him thinking "man, that must have been some recipe." Heehee. But you both seem well suited. My advice would be always respect & honor one another. You never what tomorrow brings so love him as much today like it could be your last. Dont take one another for granted.. Ever. & lastly, don't get "too comfortable" around one another so you keep the spark alive and fresh always. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness! Through your writing, your love for each other is truly palpable.
  • As if i didnt write enough the first time.. Hahahaa! Tell Lu he needs to seriously think about starting a blog that gives romantic tips for men. As much as i love him, my guy could certainly use a refresher now & again. As i am sure many guys could use the help. He's a sweetie though. I am very lucky. But great job Lu! That could not have been planned any better!
  • How exciting! The ring is beautiful, you're a lovely couple and you will always have this wonderful story to look back to when life takes you to the highs and lows, remember to enjoy it all and that you are stronger together. X
  • WoW! What a great engagement story! So wonderful&romantic! Way to go Lu! Nice job! Great photos too. All the best to both of you in your future together!!
  • AWWW love it love it love it!!!! Now we can be wedding planning fools together. It'll be the best.
  • What a sweet story! Congratulations to you both! You have such a beautiful family.
  • I cried with happiness while reading this beautiful story! Congratulations!
  • Congrats!!! You even got Marc Forgione there to celebrate with you guys!
  • Lots of happiness!!
  • Congrats on the engagement! Us guys are taking notes...
  • Congrats! Your story made it cry - it's the perfect Jersey City engagement. I loved the little picnic and am kind of obsessed with picnics in LSP. Recently, I got to picnic there with a guy I really like, and it was pretty much heaven, so I can just imagine how AMAZING you must have felt while all this was happening. I wish you all the happiness! :)
  • Congratulations!
  • Congratulations!!! How exciting! My family is getting ready for a big wedding also. My little girl is getting married tomorrow :)
  • Congratulations! Many blessings & much happiness.
  • Aaahhh, congratulations!!! My fiancee proposed this past November and I got all teary-eyed just reading your article... it was like reliving that wonderful moment all over again! ^.^ It's such an exciting time! Good luck with the wedding planning! :D
  • Just smiled the whole way through reading that! its so perfect! congratulations and I hope your life together is fabulous and inspiralized :)
  • I'm a few days late but CONGRATS! Y'all make a beautiful couple and I love the ring!
  • Ali, I was so happy to read this, congrats and enjoy every single moment, even when you think your hair might spiralize :-) Yayyy.. My husband and I celebrated #33 yesterday (8-1) and we still have fun , though he calls my new spiralizer "the sterilizer",,men,,,what can I say?? Have fun!
  • A beautiful story…..Congratulations!
  • CONGRATS, sweet girl!!! What an exciting time for you :) Getting engaged and being married is an amazing experience! I can't wait to see how the wedding plans go and how you throw some spiralized dishes into the mix ;) Best wishes!!
  • What a beautiful story
  • I love fresh apple juice bought from the farmers market stands. Last year I got my hands on a juicer (thanks Dad!) and ever since then I’ve been livin la vida juicing! When we went apple picking last year I spent hours making cider over the stove, simmering it and adding spices, and yes it was delicious – but it was a long process.