Proposals & Weddings

Proposal Stories: Leon & Ellie

Written by
Claudia Besant (Brand & Marketing Executive)

Having joined Queensmith from the world of books, Claudia has immersed herself in the realm of fine jewellery and works closely with the rest of the team to develop innovative strategies, insightful guides and engaging articles.

October 2nd, 2024 • 5 min read
Updated on October 3rd, 2024
Queensmith couple proposal story in Japan with solitaire engagement ring

As the sun set over Japan’s Kawaguchiko, with Mount Fuji standing sentinel across the serene lake in the background and autumn leaves framing the scene, Leon knelt down and proposed to the love of his life, Ellie, with a solitaire engagement ring.


How It All Started

Leon and Ellie first met four years ago in Taipei, just two days after Leon had completed his COVID-19 quarantine. For Leon, the moment he knew Ellie was the one came with a wave of excitement and contentment. ‘When I could picture spending the rest of my life with her, and couldn’t help but feel excited and happy about the prospect,’ he shared. It wasn’t a question of if anymore, but when.

After two years of cancelled and disrupted travel plans due to the pandemic, Leon and Ellie were finally able to plan their first trip overseas in November 2022. But for Leon, there was even more planning involved: ‘I knew I had to make the most of this moment to propose.’

Leon already had an idea of what Ellie wanted from a proposal – ‘In the past, after hearing about our friends’ proposals, we had conversations about how we’d prefer to keep things simple and intimate, which also simplified the planning to some extent,’ Leon explained.

Leon spent a lot of time on Google Maps and Street View before the trip to find the perfect spot for the proposal. He also made sure to ask Ellie’s parents for their blessing before the big moment, adding a meaningful touch to the proposal he was preparing.

queensmith couple proposal story idea

The Proposal

Leon’s proposal was simple yet heartfelt. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Kawaguchiko, with autumn leaves in the foreground and Mount Fuji standing tall behind them, he envisioned the perfect moment at sunset. Confident in his plan, Leon hid the engagement ring at the bottom of their backpack, hoping Ellie wouldn’t accidentally stumble upon it before the big reveal.

However, not everything went according to plan. ‘I felt quite confident on the days and hours leading up to the proposal,’ Leon said, recalling how he believed his plan was foolproof. ‘But as I was setting up the camera and tripod to capture the perfect moment, I grew increasingly nervous.’ The clouds stubbornly refused to clear, hiding the sunset, and as time ticked away, the sky darkened, mosquitoes emerged, and Ellie grew understandably frustrated by the wait.

Despite these challenges, Leon’s determination never wavered, and his love for Ellie shone through in his proposal. ‘When the moment finally came to propose, I ended up completely forgetting and fluffing my lines, and I started balling my eyes – which surprised me more than Ellie I think!’ admitted Leon.

queensmith couple proposal in autumnal japan with solitaire engagement ring

Ellie had no clue what was about to happen – ‘I thought it was strange that Leon had gone out of his way to buy a tripod immediately before our trip, but I never would have guessed what he had planned,’ said Ellie. In her shock at seeing Leon on one knee, Ellie kept repeating ‘what are you doing’?’ as he proposed. But once the surprise wore off, her answer was clear.

After the proposal, the couple took a moment to wipe away their happy tears, walk around the lake and process what had just happened. ‘We walked for another half an hour, just letting it all sink in,’ Leon shared. To celebrate, they captured some impromptu photos, then called their parents to share the exciting news. Later that evening, they enjoyed a quiet dinner where Leon revealed how he had planned everything – from asking for Ellie’s parents' blessing to carefully hiding the ring in their backpack.

The following morning, the couple announced their engagement to the rest of their friends and family through an Instagram post. ‘I sent a picture of me wearing my ring at dinner to a couple of close friends, but no one realised I was engaged until the Instagram post went up,’ laughed Ellie. Considering how much a round brilliant diamond sparkles, we can’t quite believe they missed it!

The Engagement Ring

With no clear idea of the engagement ring he wanted at first, Leon did some basic research before turning to Queensmith for guidance. He admits that he was initially worried about potential scams and upselling, given his lack of experience in buying rings. However, the Queensmith team quickly eased his concerns. ‘Jack and the team were phenomenal,’ Leon shared. ‘They were very knowledgeable, incredibly patient and genuinely shared my excitement for what was about to be the biggest decision of my life. At no point did they try to upsell me, focusing only on my needs and requirements, as well as what suited my budget.’

Leon’s experience was entirely virtual, as he wasn’t in the UK during the process. Trust was key: ‘I was buying something expensive without having seen it in person, but Queensmith made the decision very easy. They even let a couple of my friends go in to check the ring options in person, which gave me peace of mind.’

When it came to choosing the perfect engagement ring, Leon was looking to find, ‘A minimal yet elegant design, and a good quality diamond with an illustrious appearance.’ He wanted a diamond that would truly shine, but keeping the proposal a surprise was equally important. To find the right ring size without raising his partner’s suspicion, Leon cleverly traced one of Ellie’s casual rings for a rough measurement – a creative solution that paid off.

In the end, Leon opted for a beautiful bespoke Blondell Solitaire Engagement Ring in Platinum with a 1.15ct Round Brilliant Diamond, which aligned perfectly with his vision for a timeless and understated ring that reflected his partner’s style and taste.

Leon and Ellie, Queensmith couple, wedding photos

The Wedding

Leon and Ellie have since exchanged wedding rings and vows – celebrating their love with weddings in both Taipei and the UK last year. Queensmith are so honoured to have been a part of Leon and Ellie’s journey, from the creation of their beautiful engagement ring to hearing their unforgettable proposal story. It’s always a pleasure to work with couples like Leon and Ellie, and we wish them a lifetime of happiness together.


Create the Perfect Engagement Ring

If you’re feeling inspired to create a bespoke engagement ring, we’re here to help. Whether you’d like a little more information or know exactly what you want, just drop us a message and we'll get back to you.

At Queensmith, we create our rings from scratch, allowing you the opportunity to create the perfect setting for the diamond you choose. It’ll be tailor made to the specificities of your diamond, and with your personal design details in mind. Whether you want to create something totally original, or recreate one of our classic designs, we’ll be able to help you iron out the details, find the best diamond, and craft your unique engagement ring in 2 to 4 weeks.

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