The proposal we are about to tell you about is truly the proposal of a lifetime, the one that we could only imagine in fairy-tales.  Andrew and Caroline grew up together, ever since Andrew’s first birthday party when Catherine was there, very pregnant with Caroline.  And when Andrew and Caroline’s fathers started a very successful business together, Andrew knew that he was going to be seeing this beautiful girl for many years to come.  Somewhere between all of the company gatherings, and graduation parties, Andrew knew that Caroline was going to be a very important part of his life.  And this was especially the case when he finally asked Caroline to be his girlfriend at their favorite place in the world, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina.  Having known Caroline for so long, Andrew was head over heels for her in no time.

After just four months of dating, Andrew started planning this dream proposal.  Caroline absolutely loves everything about love stories.  How a couple met, how he proposed, all of the details.  So Andrew knew that he wanted to a plan a proposal that was all about the details, and he wanted to try to give Caroline a proposal that was just as special as she was.  Andrew started planning and planning,  and had to keep the biggest and hardest secret of his life.  He contacted all of their friends and family, and got them involved in everything that was going on.  With a proposal this big, he was going to need a lot of help, so he hired many vendors to make this proposal one to remember! The first vendor was Nancy Hunter at Fresh Productions Inc., she helped coordinate all the events and details at the location for the popping of the question. Next was the photographer, that is when Andrew came to us.  Mike Moreland has been photographing the Werkheiser family for many years, and it all started when he took Andrew’s senior pictures.  Since then, Mike has worked with all of the Werkheiser children. So Andrew knew that Mike was the perfect person to come to!  When he told us about this amazing proposal that he had planned, we knew that this was going to be a proposal for the books!  On July 12, 2014, Andrew picked Caroline up for what she thought was going to be a relaxing weekend getaway with their families at the beach.  Little did she know what was about to unfold for her that weekend!

Andrew had picked out a BEAUTIFUL outfit for Caroline to wear for their special night, and had written her a note with details on when she needed to be ready.  At 7:20 on the dot, Andrew’s younger brother, Austin, knocked at the door and led Caroline to her first surprise, a horse drawn carriage along with the first video that Andrew had made for her.

As we came to find out from Andrew, he loves to plan all sorts of surprises for Caroline.  And in the video that he had made for her, he explained how Caroline should not get too excited, because he just wanted to do something really nice for her to show her how much he loves her.  So without knowing what was about to happen, Caroline continued on her carriage ride to the beautiful beach where she was met by one of her and Andrew’s mutual friends.  As she left the carriage, she walked towards the beach and was given a basket.  And as she looked down the beach, hand-painted wooden signs (by Andrew’s aunt) lined the beach as far as she could see.  Written on the first sign was “101 Reasons Why I love you”, and there was a rose awaiting her.  Caroline then continued down the beach, collecting her roses as her heart filled with joy and love as she read Andrew’s notes to her.  And the surprises were far from over, Caroline was then greeted by yet another mutual friend and led to a beautiful white gazebo elegantly draped with white fabric, with a path of rose petals.

After a long video slideshow in the carriage, what else could be left for Caroline to watch? Once she reached the elegantly dressed gazebo, there was a tv and headphones for Caroline. On the screen appeared Andrew’s face. Caroline is Andrew’s best friend, so for Andrew not only was it really hard to keep this a secret, but it was really hard not to talk to Caroline about making decisions, it was like leaving out the biggest part of his life in the biggest decision of his life. So throughout the process of planning this proposal, Andrew recorded himself talking about and making decisions. Then compiled everything into a short video for Caroline to watch. Meanwhile as Caroline as the headphones on, members from Andrew and Caroline’s family start lining up with cut out letters arranged to ask a big questions.

After the video, Andrew came up behind Caroline, and spent a few moments hugging, and talking before he blindfolded her for the next part of the plan. 

When Andrew removed the blindfold, Caroline was presented with friends and family from all over the country, spelling out ‘Will you marry me?” and his youngest brother held the number one reason of the 101 reasons why signs. After some of the most sentimental words, Andrew went down on one knee. The moment Caroline said YES! fireworks went off behind Andrew! 

Andrew presented Caroline with a custom made diamond ring by Brilliant Jewelers in Roswell. Andrew did not leave one detail overlooked. Caroline nanny’s for the main jeweler who helped Andrew design the ring! With a custom designed ring, and a custom designed, hand carved, light-up ring box, how could anyone say no to such thoughtfulness and passion?!

Everything went perfectly for Andrew and Caroline this night, and the night isn’t even over yet! After Caroline said yes, and they were congratulated and greeted by friends and family, Andrew and Caroline went for a stroll along the beach. God even provided a rainbow for the couple. Caroline and Andrew are so in love, and are so loved by the people around them. After a few more pictures, Andrew still had a few more surprises left for Caroline.

They headed back to a club house that had been decked out with a slideshow of the pictures we had just taken of the event, a catered party for everyone on the island, and an entrance Caroline will never forget. The band Outshyne was there playing her favorite song. The band jammed out all night as there was tears of joy, shouts of excitement and lots of love shared throughout the room. Just when things were amazing, Andrew had organized a fireworks display like it was the fourth of July! The party lasted into the night, and even Caroline’s dad got to have a jam session on Outshyne’s drum set! You go dad!

Because Christ is such an important part of Caroline and Andrew’s life and relationship, Andrew scheduled the community priest to hold a mass for the everyone on the island for Sunday Morning. Caroline and Andrew had matching t-shirts dedicated to the weekend’s events, too.

Be sure to check out our next blog post that will be full of their engagement pictures taken Sunday afternoon on Dafuskie Island with Andrew and Caroline!

Edit: Don’t forget to check out their raw and emotional, stunning beach engagement pictures! Here’s a sneak peek, but you have to click through for more!

Check out the awesome proposal video!