We planned an intimate date night for Mikayla Nogueira and her boyfriend Cody in one of their favorite places - Newport, Rhode Island!

We started off by getting ready at Little Gold with our incredible hair and makeup team - Glamour Cosmetics and Maricruz Hairstyles. Talk about some of the best in the biz!

Once we were all glammed up we started our evening by exploring Bowen's Wharf, a historic waterfront area featuring shops, restaurants, and charming architecture. The sun was bright and the wind was strong! Newport is so quite in the off season, there’s something truly magical about it!

We made our way to Gurneys to check out their outdoor, seaside ice skating rink and watch the sun set by the lighthouse. Sunsets in Newport over the ocean remind me of the West Coast. I seriously can’t get enough of that gooey golden glow! Not to mention it was a sunset from a seaside ice skating rink. I don’t think it gets more romantic than that.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Mikayla, Cody and I headed back to Little Gold for a candlelit catered appetizer and dessert bar just for the two of them. Wait until you see all the yummy baked goods (including a hot cocoa bar!) and the stunning sofa floral installation. Our planner, Dana Marie Weddings and Events along with Floral Fixation and all of our other vendors really outdid themselves.

My favorite part of this day was the very end! Dana and Cody planned a super special surprise for Mikayla back at Gurney’s for afterwards and you HAVE to keep scrolling to see how incredible it came out! Just to give you a hint…. SHE DEFINITELY SAID YES!

Bannister's Wharf and Bowen's Wharf are both right next to each other. Bannister's Wharf is a picturesque area with colonial-style buildings that line the waterfront and offer a variety of shops and restaurants. Bowen's Wharf has a bigger selection of boutiques, art galleries, and seafood restaurants and tends to be a bit more bustling. Both areas offer spectacular views of the water and surrounding boats and ships.

On a winter's day, Bannister's and Bowen's Wharfs are less crowded with visitors, and the atmosphere is so peaceful. The cold winter air feels crisp. The water is choppy and the boats are docked in the marina. Some shops and restaurants are closed for the season, but the remaining open ones offer warm and cozy atmospheres. It can be a perfect place to take a romantic winter stroll and appreciate the views of the water and the city. We really enjoyed exploring it with Mikayla + Cody!

And just check out this surprise! Now THIS is how you plan an epic proposal!

It was so picturesque outdoors on the ice skating rink after dark, with twinkling lights illuminating the surrounding trees.

We had the entire rink to ourselves. It was like Gurneys was completely deserted. In the center of the rink was a huge, lit up sign spelling out the words “Marry Me” surrounded by flickering candles, flowers and rose petals. Cody took Mikayla by the hand and led her onto the ice, both of them in awe of how magical this all was. Then he got down on one knee, and asked the big question (for the second time, but still!). It was such a beautiful moment to witness. Afterwards they continued to skate around the rink, still engaged, taking in the sights and sounds of such a lovely winter evening.