When Lauren Hiltner, 21, and her fiancé William Hoffman, 23, began discussing marriage earlier this year they may not have had an exact engagement ring in mind, but they knew what they wanted; old world style with a modern twist.
“We both favor a three-stone design over a solitaire and the Princess cut feels more modern than a Round Brilliant,” Hiltner said. “Then I found Verragio’s web site and fell in love.”
The ring they decided on was the Paradiso 3064P, but it didn’t come home with them that day. Instead, Hoffmann took his time working on a surprise proposal.
“He dropped down on one knee, opened the box, to reveal my gorgeous Paradiso, and asked ‘Lauren Elizabeth Hiltner, will you marry me,’” Hiltner said. “I of course said ‘Yes.’”
The newly engaged couple sealed the deal with a kiss and celebrated over their ‘real’ dessert, a crème brulee with fresh berries.
The two will be married this coming June, just a couple of months after Hiltner graduates, with about 150 friends and family, in Mansfield, Ohio at what Hiltner hopes will be a light hearted and elegant affair. The reception will feature a family style meal with plates to share as a way to honor the importance of family, something that is near and dear to Hiltner and Hoffmann’s hearts.
“Family and eating together is important to both of us,” Hiltner said. “So we wanted to begin the tradition from the very start.”
And looking back on the meal that ended with the most important dessert of her life, Hiltner couldn’t be happier.
“It was excellent,” Hiltner said of the food. “But my ring will last much longer than that crème brulee did.”