California Innkeepers Help Couples Create Memorable Engagements
SACRAMENTO, CA [February 12, 2014]--Lovers looking for an unforgettable way to pop the question can rely on experts in the field of romance: California innkeepers. For years, innkeepers throughout the state have been helping couples dream up unique ways to get engaged.“Innkeepers pride themselves on the highly-personalized service they provide their guests,” said Jenn Wheaton, Marketing & Program Coordinator for the California Association of Boutique and Breakfast Inns (CABBI). “And with their eye for the romantic, they make great partners for pulling off memorable engagements.”
The Inn at Playa del Rey’s innkeeper, Suzanne Campbell, recently helped a guest create an unforgettable marriage proposal. The guest had checked in alone and appeared nervous, recalled Campbell. “Within minutes, he blurted out that he was proposing to his girlfriend that night and was trying to think of a creative way to pop the question,” she said. Looking around the nautically-inspired inn, a few seashells caught Campbell’s eye, and she had an idea. When guest’s girlfriend arrived, Campbell showed her around the inn, keeping her best poker face while the girlfriend gushed about how romantic the inn was. Later, when the couple left for dinner, Campbell gathered all the seashells she could find, took the shells up to the guests’ Romance Suite and spelled “Marry Me” on their bed. To add to the surprise, Campbell also placed a split of champagne and fresh flowers from the inn’s garden in the room. The next morning, the newly engaged couple rushed down to breakfast to show Campbell the engagement ring. Campbell congratulated them and gave them a seashell to take home as a souvenir.
The Old Monterey Inn is the site of numerous proposal stories, including engagements in front of the fireplace of the guests’ room or in the garden under the flowering plum tree with the twinkling lights. But for innkeeper Lawrence Havlick, one story stands out from the rest. “The groom-to-be set up an elaborate plan which included our Romantic Sunset Bonfire Package on Carmel Beach,” said Havlick. “He gave us her engagement ring wrapped in a beautiful small velvet bag and arranged to have our bonfire specialist deliver the velvet package at sunset.” The couple went to dinner in Carmel and afterwards, he asked her to take a stroll on the beach, knowing that his bonfire would be waiting for them. He proposed to his girlfriend with the ring just as the sun was setting over the Pacific Ocean. She said yes, and they enjoyed the bonfire while a full moon rose above them.
A man who was planning to propose to girlfriend on a road trip along Highway One took advantage of a proposal package offered by the Elk Cove Inn and Spa on the Mendocino Coast. After several secret emails and phone calls, the innkeepers helped the groom-to-be devise a plan to make his proposal memorable. The evening of the proposal, the couple walked down to the beach for a stunning sunset, where he would pop the question. Meanwhile, the staff set up the couple’s suite with a silver champagne tray, special celebration cake and a large floral arrangement. The staff also lit candles, lit a fire in the fireplace, and left romantic music playing in the room. The girlfriend said yes, and the couple returned to a surprise in-suite celebration.
At the Churchill Manor in Napa, the innkeepers have assisted in helping to set the scene for dozens of marriage proposals. Guests have proposed in their guest rooms, by a cozy fire in the downstairs parlor, on the covered veranda overlooking the rose gardens, and in the gardens themselves. The innkeepers have placed champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries in guest rooms while the couples are out to dinner and have even placed the ring box on the tray for their return. The innkeepers have helped with suggestions of places to drive to find a perfect view at sunset and also have called ahead to restaurants to advise them he’ll be proposing during dessert. Once a guest proposed over breakfast on the veranda and had the innkeepers serve the bride the ring box with her entrée.
The Inn on Randolph in Napa has helped couples with a number of proposals as well. One of innkeeper’s favorite stories involved setting up a surprise private lunch in the vineyards. Another favorite is arranging hot air balloon ride for a proposal at sunrise. “We consider it a privilege to help couples start their lives together and will go above and beyond to make sure their special day is perfect,” said innkeeper Karen Lynch.
For more information and to search among the over 200 member inns in California, please visit www.cabbi.com.
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Media Contact: Ranee Ruble, ranee@papermooncreative.net or 503-788-3938
California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns414 Twenty-Ninth StreetSacramento, CA 95816-3211916-554-2673
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