This Proposal Had A Last-Minute Venue Switch Due To Wildfires (and An Unexpected Surprise!)

There was more than love in the air on the day Gracie wished to propose to the love of her life, Jessica. As the smoke from the California wildfires were also in full force, it caused the location of the originally planned outdoor proposal to change and the planner side of Gracie to panic. “I spent eight hours scouting every beautiful place in Spokane that I could think of, and ended up deciding on the top of Mount Spokane. This gorgeous scenic drive ends at the very peak of a mountain with a breathtaking view. I imagined getting down on one knee, and asking Jessica to marry me as the sun set over Spokane,” says Gracie. “Fast forward to the morning of September 12th, the day of the proposal. I woke up to see that the entire city of Spokane was coated with a thick sheet of smoke from the West Coast wildfires. Spokane’s AQI was over 490, and it was considered ‘extremely hazardous' to be outdoors.”

It was then, The Now Now Space became their sunshine on a cloudy day — the studio bringing an abundance of natural light and a great foundation for a cozy design. “To a normal person, this seems like ‘problem solved,' but to the ultimate planner, who needs to control every tiny detail of every moment of their day, this was the worse news I could have received. I knew that there was nothing I could do.” Gracie gathered all the romantic supplies she could find — 20 flameless candles, 6 dozen roses, strings of twinkle lights, a charcuterie board, a chocolate cake, Champagne, and a ceramic bird that held the ashes of Jessica’s mom. With the help of friends and family, the scene was set.

“We walked in to the most beautiful scene I could have imagined: candles lining a pathway to a dimly lit picnic, with a bar cart full of pictures of us, Champagne, and Jessica’s mom. I said a few special words to Jessica about how much she meant to me and got down on one knee to ask her to marry me. SHE SAID YES!”

“My shaking hands put the ring that I had kept hidden for six months on her finger, and everything felt perfect. Jessica immediately grabbed her purse, and said that she had something special for me as well. I had been so worried about how the day way going to work, I did not even think that I might be getting a ring as well. She pulled out the most beautiful ring I have ever seen, and the joy on my face is so evident in the pictures of that moment. After sharing this beautiful engagement together, Jessica’s entire family walks through the door to help congratulate us. She was absolutely shocked and beyond happy, and in that moment, we knew that we were going to have the most special life together.”

Gracie concluded, “Sometimes things don’t work out like you plan them, and really, that is what makes those moments so special. Nothing went to plan, and it was still the most special day of my entire life. I cannot wait for 2022, when I can call this beautiful woman my wife. Here’s hoping that nothing goes to plan.”