Prior to our 3rd trip to Abu Dhabi to visit my family, i knew that proposing to Justine overseas in a location that we would both never forget would be the perfect setting.  In the process of planning our trip to Abu Dhabi, we also decided to plan a side vacation to spend 3 days in the Maldives.  During all this planning is when I called her parents asking for her hand in marriage, and informed my parents of my intent to propose while in the Maldives.  I got all their blessings and never looked back.

I wanted to make sure Justine had no inkling of a proposal probably happening was my goal.  I kept telling her months leading up to our trip how I loved how happy we are together and that i couldn’t see how getting married would make our relationship any better.

While in the Maldives for my birthday (Valentine’s Day), I had everything planned to propose to her on the beach under the moonlight at one of the most romantic places in the world.  To keep her guessing and ensuring no proposal was coming, the day of (Valentine’s Day), while lying on the beach together, I looked at her and said “We are here in the Maldives, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, taking in pure serenity and relaxation.” I then asked her “Would you trade all this for a Ring?  Would getting married make this moment we are sharing together right now any better?”  “All that matters is that we are here, enjoying life, happy as can be, sharing amazing experiences together.”  I got the response I wanted which was “You are right,” but tears soon followed and I knew she had given up hope on any possible proposal.

Later that evening, we had booked a private table on the beach for Valentines Day, we sat under the moonlight, listening and watching the waves crash at our feet, and I waited for the perfect opportunity.  I was extremely nervous and waited for her to say something, and then she said it.  “What is better than this, here on the Indian Ocean having a romantic dinner with the love of my life?”  That was the moment I was waiting for.  I slowly reached into my pocket while getting out of my chair and dropping to one knee and said “The only thing that could be better is asking you to marry me.”

We both cried, we both laughed, and we had one of the most amazing evenings together that I will never forget.  The next day when Justine was telling people on the Island that she just got engaged last night they said, “You proposed to her in the Maldives? Where are you guys getting married on the moon?”  LOL

I couldn’t have had a more perfect engagement, and there is no better feeling then knowing you get to spend the rest of your life with your best friend.  It was a special day for both of us, and I wanted to make sure you both always remember it

How did you choose your theme? Flowers? and overall wedding design? We wanted to incorporate my italian family background with Ali middle eastern family background

What was the best part of your wedding day? Our first look !

What do you want to always remember from your wedding day? Being surrounded with so much love from our friends and family and the happiness we felt saying our vows

“IF I only I knew!” what is one piece of advise you would give to brides planning their wedding day? spend more time on the actual timeline of day..

And where are you going on your honeymoon? we are spending 2 1/2 weeks in October in Paris,France and the Almalfi Coast of Italy