A romantic sunrise proposal on the Brooklyn Bridge, a family heirloom ring, and plans for a sun-soaked destination wedding – Bronte King and Matthew’s engagement journey is filled with beautiful heartwarming moments. The Wedding Edition takes an exclusive look at the Engagement Story with Bronte King and Matthew Dudley Scales….
The story…
We met in 2020 through work, but it wasn’t until two years later, after I asked Matt for advice on videographers, that we reconnected over coffee. That coffee led to a date, and from that first moment, as cliché as it sounds, we both knew we’d found ‘the one’. We’ve now been together for two and a half years.
Dropping hints…
We talked about getting married quite early on. Oddly enough, I was never the type to dream about proposals or weddings, but after meeting Matt, I couldn’t wait to marry him. I teased him constantly, joking about when it would happen. He knew I loved opals – I admired his mum’s opal ring the first time we met and often sent him Instagram posts of similar rings as subtle hints.
The proposal…
We were in New York on a trip – a birthday present from Matt. I love planning our trips, and we even shared an itinerary on a notes app! I’d been adamant about catching the sunrise on the Brooklyn Bridge, as we’d be jetlagged and awake early. Around 5:15 a.m., we walked along the bridge, taking photos and enjoying the moment. As Matt set up his camera to record for my vlog, I had this fleeting thought: “Is he about to propose?” My heart was racing, but I tried to calm myself. Then, just like that, he proposed, and it was the most magical moment. We spent the rest of the day in a love bubble, exploring New York and calling our family and friends.
The ring…
The opal stone in the ring has been passed down through Matt’s family for generations, dating back to his great-great-grandmother. Matt had the stone removed from its original setting and placed into a new, sturdier one. He worked with a jeweller named Gemima to bring his vision to life. I was stunned when Matt revealed that the stone was the one I had admired on his mum’s ring – it was such a special moment, and I can’t stop staring at it.
Engagement party/celebrations…
As soon as we landed, my sister, brother, brother-in-law, and best friend had decorated our flat, and we had a celebratory breakfast together. That evening, my sister surprised me with a dinner with all my best friends, and we spent hours debriefing! We hosted our official engagement party in July, a few months after the proposal, to allow time to plan and gather everyone. We rented a gorgeous venue in Eccleston Yard, Victoria called Morena, and the warm summer evening made it the perfect celebration. I can’t recommend an engagement party enough!
The outfit…
I was wearing a full white outfit, which wasn’t out of the ordinary for me as I love white dresses and skirts. That day, I had a white skirt, white waistcoat, yellow bag, and blue-and-white Adidas Speziales – the ideal outfit for exploring New York. It turned out to be a perfect engagement outfit too! I did ask Matt that morning which of my two outfits to wear, and he chose the white one, but I didn’t think much of it at the time.Wedding plans so far…
We’re beyond excited for our wedding abroad in 2025! We both love to travel, and it felt right to celebrate our marriage by the sea, with all our loved ones together for a sun-filled holiday.
