Join The Wedding Edition as we delve into Emily Valentine and her fiancé Nate’s romantic and creative engagement at East London’s iconic The Ned Hotel. Hear how Nate’s thoughtful clues and personalised proposal made for an unforgettable evening that started with a surprise scavenger hunt and ended with a heartfelt “yes.”
The Story…
I had just turned 30, and it hadn’t been a happy birthday. My previous relationship hadn’t worked out (thankfully), so I was on Hinge, ready to get back in the game. It turns out meeting the man you want to marry in your 30s is a blessing, because you know exactly what you want. My third match was Nate, and ours was the best date I’ve ever been on— and my last first date.
We met at the Fenchurch Building (aka the Walkie-Talkie Building) in East London. The first thing I noticed was how tall he is at 6’3″, and his all-black outfit. When I later asked his first impression of me, he simply said he was happy I looked like my pictures.
After cocktails at the Fenchurch, we went to Millie’s Diner at The Ned, which would end up becoming a significant spot in our relationship. We ate hot dogs, laughed, and moved to the bar in the main foyer, where we sipped on old fashioneds, talking until 2 am. Just as I was about to call it a night and order an Uber, he swooped in for the kiss.
Dropping Hints…
We’ve been together for six years this month, but I started dropping hints about a proposal around the two and a half-year mark. We were initially on different pages about engagement and marriage. It’s always been in my life plan, but Nate wasn’t in a rush. Like many women, I had to set an ultimatum— but in hindsight, there’s nothing wrong with telling someone what you want and asking if they want to be in it and on the journey with you.
We spoke openly about it and decided to move forward. I knew the ring I wanted and the type of proposal: nothing public, just us. Nate is incredibly creative, so I wasn’t worried about the proposal itself. I knew he’d blow me away, but I had no idea how or when it would happen.
The Proposal…
Well, he had to get me out of the house and to The Ned first! I work from home, so it wasn’t easy. He got a friend involved who begged for a work date, and eventually, I obliged. Through a series of handwritten clues, I was told to pack an overnight bag and meet at the place where we had our first kiss.
Knowing you’re about to be proposed to but having to work out riddles and pack an overnight bag for the biggest moment of your life?! The existential crisis was real.
At The Ned, I approached reception and asked for the next clue. The receptionist asked for my ID, which I’d forgotten. Luckily, he handed over the clue anyways, and I was told to go to the bar where we drank until 2 am on our first date and order Nate’s favourite drink (an old fashioned of course!). If I got it right, I’d get the final clue. It was a room key! It was surreal standing next to the two bar stools we spent our first date sitting on, getting to know each other, six years later and about to become a fiancee.
When I found the room, I knocked once for every year we’d been together (as per written instructions!). After a minute, I realised he was probably on one knee, waiting for me to walk in. I opened the door, and there he was, down on one knee, holding a black ring box with the sparkliest rock ever. Obviously I said YES, we kissed and hugged, and then Juno, our dog, joined the celebrations.
We spent the evening chatting about our wedding plans, attempting to FaceTime family (who didn’t answer except for our mums), ordering champagne, burgers, and fries from room service, and taking a bubble bath with golden oldies on the radio. It was creative, personal, and fun! Nate, outdid himself— it will be one of my most cherished memories for life.
The Ring…
…was everything I wanted and more! I entertained every type of ring style, but the one I wanted was exactly what I got: big, bold, achingly beautiful, yet classic—statement but timeless.
It’s an Edwardian-style ring. Nate worked with ring designer Gemima, who did my sister’s ring. It’s a cluster ring with a round brilliant cut in the centre that’s raised up, surrounded by little diamonds set in a subtle oval shape that subtly elongates the fingers. Gemima’s trademark is adding a tiny diamond inside the band and engraved birth dates, which was a beautiful surprise. The ring has so much fire in it; when it catches the light, it’s just beautiful. Every morning, the best part is sliding it on my wedding finger.
How We Celebrated…
We didn’t have an engagement party because it’s not really our style. The engagement itself was a party for two (plus our dog) cosied up at The Ned, and that felt like enough. The wedding is where we can celebrate with friends and family.
The Outfit…
I didn’t put much thought into my outfit! I had just enough time to throw on a black sleeveless Reformation dress that clings in all the right places. Nate loves me in black, so I knew he’d like it. I paired it with chunky black boots—it was February, so I had to dress for the weather—and chunky gold jewellery by Anisa Sojka. I wore nothing on my fingers or hands because I didn’t want anything to overshadow the ring.
Wedding Plans So Far…
We are having a short engagement because we want to prioritise starting a family soon. We booked a wedding date in Las Vegas, a place we both love, which feels exciting, fun, and not stuffy—just an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime party. From engagement to marriage, we have nine months.
We are now five months out, and most things are planned. I still don’t have the dress but have a few favourites in mind. Most things are booked, so now I can semi-relax, take care of myself, and get excited about the wedding. In hindsight, I might have given myself longer to enjoy being engaged, but we’re on the journey now and it’s full steam ahead to Vegas, baby!
Follow Emily’s wedding journey at @officialemilyvalentine
