Christmas Tree Farm Proposal: Chelsea + Joe

Christmas Tree farm proposal

If you follow GWS on Instagram, you might remember seeing a little sneak peek of this insanely sweet proposal at a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania. With Love & Embers captured Chelsea + Joe’s adorable moment so perfectly that we knew we had to share the full story with you all today, especially since it’s Christmas Eve!

Joe made a promise to Chelsea at the end of 2013 that they would cut down a tree together for Christmas 2014. Shortly after making that promise, he realized that he just couldn’t imagine spending his life with anyone but her. With this exciting realization came two important tasks: finding the perfect ring and planning the perfect proposal.  He decided there was no better place to propose to his love than at the tree farm as they cut down their very first Christmas tree together. Don’t miss Joe’s super sweet account of how the moment went down filtered throughout the charming photos you’re about to see. And hear Chels’ perspective of that sweet December afternoon at the very end of the post!

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

From Joe, As the summer ended, I was about to make the final payment on the ring I had customized just for her. However, I had secretly wanted someone to go with me when I went to pick up the ring. Unbeknownst to him, that person was Chelsea’s father. I invited him for a car ride, a car ride that neither one of us will ever forget. I told him that I loved her, his daughter, and that I planned to spend the rest of my life making her smile. I asked for his blessing and promised to always be there for her and for family. After smiles and laughs, he asked where exactly we were going. I pulled into the parking lot of the jewelry store and told him I had something to show him. The look on his face, the smile which appeared, a memory I will never forget, accompanied by nothing but “Thank you, Joe.”

A month before the proposal, I told Chelsea’s parents and our close friend Alex and John about my idea. The proposal would take place as we cut down our first Christmas tree together. I would custom laser cut letters spelling out “Will You Marry Me” and have the hanging on a tree at the tree farm, like Christmas ornaments. They loved it! I contacted Jillian at With Love and Embers, and told her of my idea. Chelsea had introduced me to her and Ryan previously, and I knew they would be the perfect duo to capture the moment. She immediately agreed. I picked an unforgettable date to do it (12-13-14). We were set.

will you marry me sign

The weekend finally came, after weeks of dodging questions regarding why we haven’t cut down a tree yet and Chelsea doubting if we actually would. We woke up early Saturday morning to go get our first Christmas tree together. As we pulled up to Tri-Color Tree Farm, in West Chester, PA, we were greeted by three gentlemen who eagerly awaited our presence…I mean, no, I had never seen them before. They asked us carefully rehearsed…I mean genuine questions regarding the height and species of tree we were interested in. They politely showed us in the direction of where we could find said trees.

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

As we passed 100s of trees that clearly fit the description of tree I said I was looking for, I sensed Chelsea starting to wonder where we were going. And then, I saw my cue: a carefully knotted red ribbon, tied close to our tree. I pulled Chelsea into the row and we began to walk through the trees. And then, she saw it. She immediately turned to me, with the most amazing smile on her face. Jillian and Ryan made their way out of their hiding spots and began taking pictures, capturing every special moment of the proposal. I grabbed both of her hands and told her words I had rehearsed in my head for weeks, culminating in the same 4 words I had delicately placed on the tree: Will you marry me?

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

She said yes!

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

will you marry me sign

Of course, cutting down their ‘proposal tree’ to take home with them was a total must!

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

Christmas Tree farm proposal

engagement ring

Christmas Tree farm proposal

From Chelsea, There seemed to be no one at the farm as we started walking. It was eerily quiet and desolate. The trek was long and I just couldn’t fathom why we were passing by plenty of beautiful trees. Finally, Joe found just the right spot. He pulled me into an opening between the trees and gave me a little nudge to lead the way.

I turned around and saw beautiful wood letters hanging as ornaments would from our Christmas tree. The letters spelled out: “Will you marry me.” Joe started talking – I wish I could remember all of what he said, but it was all a blur. He knelt down and pulled out a beautiful rose gold engagement ring.

I don’t know what was best about this moment – that my best friend was proposing to me after two amazing years together or that the ever so perfect With Love and Embers emerged from surrounding trees. This husband and wife duo drove an hour and a half to photograph our special day AND stood out in the freezing cold to wait for us to arrive. For OVER AN HOUR. Those are some quality people.

The day could not have gone more perfectly. All of Joe’s hard work and dedication to making this moment perfect for me (for us) was more than I could have hoped for.

We thought C + J’s story was perfect way to sign off for the holidays. Wishing all those who celebrate a very Merry Christmas from team GWS! Enjoy this time with your friends + families. We’ll see you back here on Friday with the first of our fun recaps from 2104. Spoiler alert: if you love cake as much as us, you definitely won’t want to miss it!

photography: With Love & Embers // location: Tricolor Farm in Downingtown, Pennsylvania

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