It’s finally ready! After many weeks of hard work, the Ultimate Engagement Guide is live and ready for purchase at only $4.99! It has 250 proposal ideas – over half of which you won’t find anywhere on the site.

With over 85 pages, I discuss everything from marriage proposal etiquette to how to pick the perfect ring. This very detailed book is the ultimate wingman but, if that’s not enough, I’m also throwing in my personal help to anyone who purchases the book. I can’t wait to hear the engagement stories that come out of this beauty.

The Ultimate Engagement Guide

In May 2015 I received the loveliest request from Christian to help him plan an underwater proposal in Roatan, Honduras. Having been a scuba diving instructor there previously, I could not have been more excited to get involved with this scuba diving proposal.

There are a few things you need to get in order to have a perfect scuba diving proposal. The first is a dive shop that’s willing to help. In this case, both Coconut Tree Divers (my home shop) in West End and Infinity Divers in West Bay stepped up to the plate! The sign was made in Tegucigulpa but, to be honest, you could have your instructor write it on a underwater board for you and present that instead (although that sign is freakin’ amazing).

(If you are brand new divers, please discuss those limitations with your instructor. The excitement of a proposal coupled with the average diving risks mean you’ll need to be just a little bit more careful)

In any case, just over a year later and these two lovebirds are already hitched!

Here’s their love story as told by Christian himself…

“Love at first sight” –it’s probably the most over used phrase couples jokingly use to describe their first encounter.  I am a very lucky man to be able to say those words and truly mean them.

When I saw my wife for the first time it was when I was serving as a missionary volunteer in the largest public hospital in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.  She was a final year pediatric resident making round in the neonatal intensive care unit where I was filming footage for a documentary.

While filming I noticed her through my camera lens. I was fascinated with the passion she displayed for each one of the newborns in her care. She lit up as she attended to each and every one of the babies fighting for survival. She had a glow about her – maybe intensified by the fact that I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on! She had a bubbly personality, long dark hair, a knock-out smile and Angelina Jolie lips.

I was so intimidated by her beauty that I didn’t even speak to her the first, second, third or even fourth time I saw her. But every time I would travel back to Honduras to serve in the hospital, I would go hoping to see her again. It wasn’t until my fifth trip to Honduras in September of 2014 that a mutual friend of ours arranged a blind date.

Now, I want to make it clear that I had never been a believer in blind dates and had never previously agreed to go on one but this was an extraordinary exception that I willingly agreed to. I was finally going to get to meet the girl who had brought joy into my life without either of us ever even uttering a word to each other.

I’ve seen a lot of unique proposal ideas in my time but, when Russel Geyushev of Your Comic Story popped up in my inbox asking if I’d ever seen a comic book marriage proposal, I was stunned! What a strange and wonderful idea. After looking at his creations, I knew these beautiful stories wouldn’t just appeal to comic book geeks so I spent some time with Russell to figure out just how these gorgeous books come to be.

I’m doing this post in a question and answer format and, alongside the answers, check out the inside of the comic book marriage proposal, “The Origins of Captain Kribble.”

Russell says, “The client told us how his partner is a huge comic fan.  He’s especially fond of Captain America. The story is based around the fact that his partner got a great bicycle for his birthday and was thrilled about it.

But in less than 48 hours somebody stole the tires. In the comic book, the great team consisting of the client, his boyfriend, their two cats and a giant teddy bear toy goes on an adventure to find the stolen tires but the story takes unexpected turn…”

1. Where are you from and where do you live now?

Originally I am from Russia, but have been living in the U.S. in New York, ever since I was 19.

2. What is the process if someone wants to propose with a comic book?

Once the client gives the go-ahead, we send him (or her) a questionnaire. Based on the completed questionnaire, our writer creates a script for the comic book. Once it’s approved, the illustrator creates a black and white sketch of the future story. After that’s approved we create a full color version and if client likes everything, we print and ship the comic book marriage proposal.

3. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Our clients help us with that. We always ask them about commonly used phrases, inside jokes, personality and interests of the person who will receive the comic book gift. Based on these little but important details we build a story that is truly one-of-a-kind.

4. How did you get involved with comics and drawing?

Hmmm… thanks to my mom :)

I was looking for a great idea to start my own business, to build something creative and cool. She knew that and kept coming up with suggestions and ideas from time to time. Once she told me about students who create custom fairy tales for kids in their free time. I liked the idea, but I wanted to make it even more unique and original.

And then – boom, like you can see in the comic books – huge boom actually, because I decided that a comic book would be perfect for telling a story. I am really amazed by how talented people who work in the comic book industry are. They create real masterpieces on a weekly basis. If Shakespeare and Michelangelo lived at the same time and knew each other – I am sure they’d collaborate on some kick-ass comic books.

5. How many people are involved in making these comic books?

On each comic book there is a dedicated scriptwriter, artist, project coordinator, and our good friends at printing company handle printing and shipping.

6. Have you been told about the reactions of the ladies after they’ve read their comic book proposal?

Ladies (and men!) are always surprised and amazed. And you can understand why – you can find online, many ideas of how to propose but a lot of them have either become cliched or run the risk of being ruined because of the complicated setup. A comic book is always unexpected, unusual (she or he will be the only one from their friends who had this kind of a proposal), and very beautiful. It’s an art after all. And those little details and elements of bio that we use in our stories make it really special. It shows that you remember them, that you care.

7. What do you think is the most important part of a proposal?

To make the person fall in love with you all over again. To show them that you are together, not just because of a habit or a comfort. You are together because there is something so special between you, there is just no other option – you being together for the rest of you life is just a way to keep the universe in balance :)

8. Are you married/engaged and, if so, how did you propose?

Actually I’ve never proposed myself. But I can say that since I started this business my faith in humanity has been restored, I have again started believing that being romantic is okay and that true love exists. When I read how people describe their partners, little funny moments in life, favourite songs and favourite movies, favourite jokes and silly habits and do it with such love and caring – I believe that we all have a chance to find a soulmate and have it all too.

Thank you Russell for being such a sweetie pie and for showing me this incredible engagement proposal idea! If you’d like to find out more about Russel’s comic books, drop in to visit him here.

Celebrate Her Engagement & Take Your Chance to Win!

Every woman is different. We are all different sizes. We all have different dreams and different goals. None of us are the same…until we get that ring! Getting engaged puts us in a special club and injects a new sense of wonder and magic into everything around us. Love changes us in magnificent ways and, knowing that love will last, transforms every aspect of who we are and what we will become.

Whether she’s bound to drive you nuts by becoming a blatant bridezilla or whether she’s anticipating an elopement to Las Vegas, when a woman gets engaged it’s time to celebrate her for all that she has been and for all that she will become. There is no better way to do that than with a touching bridal shower or engagement gift she can treasure for years to come!

Everyone knows that I’m a massive fan of Blue Nile for their incredible collections at astoundingly affordable prices (check out my favourite engagement ring – the London Blue Topaz and Diamond Halo Cushion Cut Ring). It’s no wonder that they are my first choice for snapping up delicious deals that will make the bride-to-be in your life feel like the superstar she is.

Let’s face it, weddings might be getting more and more expensive to throw every single year – but so is the cost we all put out to attend them! Travel, outfits and presents for multiple weddings each summer can put a serious kink in any budget. That’s why Blue Nile is my top choice for finding gorgeous pieces under $100 that really hit the mark.

Now, because your bride will most likely already own a diamond engagement ring of some kind, I suggest staying away from both diamonds and rings for your present. You don’t want to be adding too much competition to the major bling, bling! Bracelets, earrings and necklaces are all great choices.

My favourites include the sterling silver Waves Cuff for $95 and the Infinity Love Knot Pendant for $65. BUT, obsessed as I am with London Blue Topaz, my top choice is definitely the London Blue Topaz Rope Stud Earrings for $95. They are elegant, eye-catching and absolutely gorgeous.

They are so gorgeous, in fact, that I’ve decided to give a pair away to a lucky reader to celebrate the site’s make-over! So just how do you win? Head over to Facebook to like and share my page. Everyone who does is automatically entered to win :) If you can’t wait, head over to Blue Nile and snap up your very own pair right now!