When Colin and I first started planning his surprise proposal is was pretty straightforward; Kate and Colin would have lunch at the Newport Vineyards; after lunch, they would walk through the vines, and Colin would propose. It seemed easy enough.
Newport Vineyards have an online booking system that only opens up 7-days in advance. Unfortunately, this did not fall into Colin’s ability to plan this day, and so Colin called the Newport Vineyards outside of this booking window. Trisha, a 5-year employee of the Vineyards, stepped up to the plate booked Colin and Kate in at 3 pm on Saturday, June 19th.
Perfect, we were all set, or were we?
On a personal level, I lead a group bicycle ride every Saturday, which finishes around noon-time. Plenty of time to get home cleaned up and be in Newport by 3 pm. And then Colin sends me a text on the Wednesday before the proposal:
“My girlfriend made us a two-person reservation at the vineyard this Saturday at noon (because it was Colin’s birthday weekend). She didn’t know I had already done the same thing. I spoke with the vineyard, and they were able to merge the reservations, so we get there at 12 now.”
Oops.
“…the best laid plans of mice and men.” ~ Robert Burns
I reached out to my riding group and informed them that I have a scheduling problem. No sweat, we will ride a little shorter, starting a 7 am, to permit me to get to Newport on time. Sorted!
On Friday night, I charged all my batteries and prepared my equipment so I would not have to do that on Saturday morning. I also sent a text to Colin to let him know that I would be on my bike and would not respond until after 10 am on Saturday.
At 10:30 am, Colin started texting me with photos of Kate and himself and a description of what they were wearing, and confirmation that the reservation was set for 12:30 am. We had a plan.
I left home at 11:45 am with an ETA of 12:30 pm (Colin had asked that I be there by 1 pm); I always build in 30 minute traffic time into my travels…just in case.
During my travels, Colin sent me a text to let me know that they were running late. So I parked at 12:35 pm and walked into meet Trisha, and she informed me that my couple had not arrived yet, but she took me out to their table so I would know where they would be sitting. I returned to my truck to wait because the mid-day sun was searing.
At 1 pm, Colin texted me to inform me that they were seated at their table.Unfortunately, this was going to be a long wait!
While waiting, I walked over to view their table so I could recognize them, and then I returned to my truck. While killing time at my truck, as luck would have it, I saw Colin return to his truck to collect the ring, which permitted us to have a quick chat and go over his proposing strategy.
It seems simple enough, but it is an awful lot of information to process for a person about to offer a proposal of marriage.
At 1:50 pm, I received the 10-minute warning, gathered my cameras, and positioned myself. My plan was straightforward; after my ‘target’ couple left their table, I would follow them. As I did so, a group of people approached me to ask me what I was doing in loud voices, in possible earshot of Kate and Colin. And so I put my finger to my lips and ‘Shhhh’ed’ them. I whispered that there was about to be a proposal, but they all had to be quiet. Which they did, and they positioned themselves on a stone wall to watch the upcoming action; meanwhile, I was out of sight, hiding.
At the right moment, Colin dropped to his knee, and I dropped to my knees for the best shot angle and caught a beautiful image of the proposal and the peanut gallery (all the folks who I had asked to be quiet earlier) cheered!
After the proposal, we had a mini-engagement shoot, and I hope you enjoy the images we made together.
Before I close, I would like to give a shout-out to Trisha and the Newport Vineyards. Just as we were wrapping up our shoot, Trisha showed up on a golf cart with two flutes of champagne and a complimentary bottle of wine for the happy couple.
Enjoy these Newport Vineyards photos; it was a wonderful shoot.
Should anyone read this and is considering a proposal, do not schedule a proposal for mid-day in the summer because when the sun is directly above you, it is not very flattering due to harsh vertical shadows.
Newport Vineyards: A New England Winery with a View
Newport Vineyards is a winery located in Middletown, Rhode Island, just minutes from the city of Newport. The winery was founded in 1977 by John and Paul Nunes, and it is now one of the largest and most respected wineries in New England.
Newport Vineyards is known for its award-winning wines, which are made from a variety of grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Franc. The winery also offers a variety of other products, including hard cider, mead, and grappa.
In addition to its winemaking, Newport Vineyards is also a popular destination for people who enjoy the outdoors. The winery has a beautiful tasting room with stunning views of the Narragansett Bay, and it also offers a variety of outdoor events, such as concerts, festivals, and weddings.
If you are looking for a great place to enjoy wine, food, and the outdoors in New England, then Newport Vineyards is a great option. The winery is open year-round, and it offers a variety of tours and tastings.
Newport Vineyards is a great place to visit for people of all ages. Whether you are a wine lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a beautiful place to relax, Newport Vineyards has something to offer everyone.
Here are some additional information about Newport Vineyards:
- The winery is located at 909 East Main Road, Middletown, RI 02842.
- The phone number is (401) 848-5161.
- The website is www.newportvineyards.com.
I hope this article helps you to learn more about Newport Vineyards. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the winery.