Meet Our Unforgettable Proposal Winners!

Its time to introduce a very special couple and the winners of our Diamonds International Unforgettable Proposal Competition  2015!  A very big congratulations to Sam and Ashton who were randomly selected from nearly 1,000 Facebook entries to win $5,000 towards their dream engagement ring as well as a romantic weekend getaway to the majestic Orpheus Island Resort in the Whitsundays!  After visiting our Indooroopilly store to choose a stunning yellow gold Princess Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, Sam and Ashton  were whisked off on Sept 18 for 3 days of pampering and pure indulgence … not to mention the perfect location for Sam to pop the BIG question!  Thank you to all involved in making the weekend one of the most memorable tributes to #DILOVE for our winning couple, including Unforgettable Proposals, Orpheus Island Resort & Through The Looking Glass Studios !

Now here’s an insight into Sam and Ashton’s Unforgettable Proposal weekend getaway and a behind the scenes look at how it all went down for our loved up couple!

CHOOSING THE RING!

DI:  How did you feel when you got the call that you had won our Diamonds International Unforgettable Proposal competition?
SAM:  I must admit I was shocked to start with. I have never won a competition of this magnitude before and to be able to win something so special and unique was such a great surprise. I had plans on proposing in the new year, but I could never have imaged such a special way to do it.

DI:  Did Ashton know you had entered the competition or was it a surprise?
SAM:  Unfortunately she saw it come through my Facebook news feed after I entered the competition, but I played it off as a joke since I had been getting a lot of slack from both our families about how I must ‘put a ring on it’!

DI:  You had $5,000 to spend on your Diamonds International Engagement Ring, what style ring did Ashton choose?  What did does love about it most?
SAM: She chose a yellow gold band with a princess cut diamond. She feels it is very her, a classic simple look, with no frills. It is an elegant and timeless piece.

DI:  Your ring was custom made, did you feel special being able to choose your own diamond?
SAM: We felt very special.  Being able to choose something unique is very special.  Knowing it is something you are able to cherish for years to come, and most importantly it is something SHE  likes or in our case LOVES.

DI: How would you describe your Diamonds International experience when you chose your ring? 

ASHTON:  Thank you Diamonds International so much for this amazing prize. We cannot thank you enough for all your help.  Also thank you to Yani and the staff at Diamonds International Indooroopilly , dealing with you has been a pleasure.  It made choosing the right ring so easy with the professional, fun and friendly staff.  We are so glad we got to meet you all.  It was great, Yani was amazing, guiding me through the process as I had no clue about any of it, from colour, to cut and clarity, to band size and even how many diamonds to have. I am very grateful for her help as I now have a ring I LOVE!

THE PROPOSAL:

DI:  Can you share some of the romance and magic moments?

Where do I start… from arrival we were treated like royalty. The staff greet you with open arms and make you feel like you are at home. The surroundings are incredible and you have to pinch yourself to remind yourself that your not dreaming.

On the day we arrived, Samantha from Unforgettable Proposals had organized an amazing night for Ashton.  Firstly,  she  was whisked away for an impromptu Day Spa Treatment during which time  preparations for dinner started.  I laid out Ashton’s favourite dress and shoes, and then disappeared to another room to get ready.  On her return to our room she was delivered a note from Diamonds International,  along with her favourite Cocktail.  The message  informed her to get ready to meet me at 7pm by the pier.

I greeted her at the pier for a romantic dinner for two on the pier by candlelight.  Large torches lined the pier and you could hear the waves crashing up the beach. I dropped to one knee and proposed by the end of the pier.   She started to cry a little but had no trouble saying ‘yes’!    A dozen red roses and a picture of our dog (who she loves more than me! ) was waiting for her at our table where we sat down to enjoy an amazing four course dinner as prepared by the incredible chefs on the island.  After dinner we returned to our room to find rose petals leading from our front door, across our room to our outdoor bath, where candles and music greeted us.  It was certainly a night neither of us will ever forget.

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

DI:  What was the one unforgettable moment that you will remember and cherish forever?

The following day,  Ashton and I  where taken by boat and dropped off on a beautiful secluded island beach for a romantic picnic to enjoy a nice quite afternoon alone.  We enjoyed a gourmet picnic basket full of fresh local produce such as cheese, fruit, salad,  sandwiches and fresh prawns as well as a selection of  beer and Champagne !  We also had snorkeling equipment and other gear for us to enjoy our time on the beach.

DI:  The big question that everyone will want to know, did Ashton say ‘Yes’ and when is the wedding?!

I was quietly confident, but still quite nervous.  But even through her tears of joy, she had no trouble saying ‘Yes’!  We haven’t set an exact date yet but we are thinking early 2017 for our wedding day. This will give us time to plan travel arrangements for Ashton’s family that live overseas to be able to come and celebrate our big day together..

THE ARRIVAL!

Located a midst the magical waters of the Great Barrier Reef, Orpheus is a secluded island hideaway accommodating just 28 indulged guests. Located just 80km north of Townsville, the island stretches across 11km of immaculate turquoise coastline, and comprises of a pristine National Park and surrounding World Heritage-listed Marine Park.   And what a view as Sam & Ashton arrive to the majestic Orpheus Island Resort via helicopter!  A magnificent day to take in the islands sandy white beach & crystal clear blue water!

It’s a surprise Day Spa treatment for Ashton as Sam prepares to pop the BIG Question!  The Aboriginal name for Orpheus is Goolboddi and the island’s original inhabitants were the Manbarra people. In consultation with the elders of the region, this spa was named Gwandalan which means ‘rest and peace’ in the Aboriginal language.  Peace guides every element of this spa. With a unique collection of treatments that embrace the principals of modern and indigenous herbalism, aromatherapy and touch therapy, our rituals are inspired by traditional Aboriginal techniques and aim to restore balance and wellness.

THANK YOU FROM SAM & ASHTON:

Thank you Charles Bentley & Diamonds International so much for this amazing prize.  We also want to personally thank Samantha Davies from Unforgettable Proposals. The whole weekend was perfect. The proposal could not have been any better. Every little detail was thought of and Ashton certainly felt special. To Renaul and the staff at Orpheus Island. The weekend away was something Ashton and I will never forget. You all made us feel like we were royalty. It was an amazing experience. The room was beautiful, the facilities were ‘5 star’ not to mention some of the most amazing scenery in the world. The chefs there deserve a special mention. The food was impeccable; breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Last of all a quick thank you to all those behind the scenes that have not been mentioned and our pilots at Nautilus Aviation, and our photographer Rob from Through The Looking Glass Studios.

Images by Rob from Through The Looking Glass Studios