1) How did you meet and fall in love?
We met at a Cafe that Ahlia worked at on Queen Street, Auckland. I was getting a tattoo at the tattoo parlour across the hall and went over for a snack halfway through the session (8 hours long!) and found out it was actually a Cat Cafe!
Ahlia mentioned to my tattooist I could come in anytime for snacks, I left my phone number with my tattooist, who was friends with Ahlia and the rest is history!
2) Tell us about your proposal?
I organized a weekend away to Queenstown during COVID Level 1, with one of our friends (needed a photographer!). It was all planned, we caught an early morning flight down, rented a car and drove to Wanaka.
This was a special place due to its beauty and I lived there for a while before we met. I knew the perfect spot on the Old Wharf overlooking the lake and mountains.
The morning could not have been more perfect, no wind or clouds, a perfect setting for the proposal.
Ahlia had no idea it was coming. We posed for a photo, Sophie (Ahlia's best friend) gave the cue when the shot was framed just right, I got down one knee and popped the question.
2) Tell us about your Nolan and Vada engagement ring and why you chose it?
I chose a pear-shaped white sapphire centre stone with trillion cut matching side stones, the ring also has a hidden Alexandrite inside the band.
I went with this arrangement due to Alexandrite being Ahlia’s birth stone, as well as white sapphire being a Gemini birth stone.
Furthermore, knowing the stones were naturally and sustainably sourced via Nolan and Vada, made the choice to use them a no brainer!