‘100 things he loves about me’: Incredible proposal that had bride-to-be in tears

Ellie Puglisi was opening birthday presents from her boyfriend on her 26th birthday when she received an incredibly sweet surprise.

As far as proposals go, it’s hard to top. Ellie Puglisi was sitting in bed, opening presents from her boyfriend Joe for her 26th birthday. One of the gifts was a list of “100 things Joe loves about me”, that he was reading aloud.

“I started crying because nobody had ever done something so special for me,’’ she recalls.

“After he read the 100 things, he gave me my birthday card. I opened the card which said ‘Will you marry me?’ and I looked down and Joe was on one knee next to our bed.

Joe and Ellie Puglisi at The Calile. Pictures: Common Studios

“I had never felt so much joy in my life. It was so special and exciting, I could hardly breathe.

“Joe then got out of bed and opened the front door and brought in 50 red roses that had just been delivered to our home. It was the best day.’’

The Clayfield couple, who have been together for six years, married on February 22 this year at St Agatha’s Catholic Church Clayfield, followed by a reception for 95 guests at The Calile Hotel, after COVID scuttled their original plans to marry in mid-2020.

“It was really stressful not knowing what to do, so once we actually made the call and said we were going to move it, it was a bit of a relief,’’ Ellie says. The pair met through Ellie’s brother, who had been mates with Joe for 20 years, and shared their first kiss at a festival in 2015.

Joe and Ellie Puglisi on the roof of The Calile. Picture: Common Studios

Hen’s night?

Long lunch at Same Same, followed by a party bus around Brisbane, then drinks and dancing into the night at my longest-known friend’s house

Buck’s night?

Skirmish in the morning, followed by a long lunch at the Regatta Hotel, then a boat cruise along the Brisbane River, finishing with drinks at Ellie’s brother’s house.

What was the standout moment of the day?

Joe: Seeing Ellie walking down the aisle and grabbing her hands.

Ellie: Walking down the aisle and seeing the look on Joe’s face was so special. I also loved being at the top of the church getting married in front of all our friends and family. Joe and I were so giddy when we were there and couldn’t stop smiling and looking at each other.

Ellie Puglisi and her bridesmaids. Picture: Common Studios

First dance?

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole.

Honeymoon?

Maleny and Noosa.

What would you do differently?

Nothing – the day was more perfect than we had imagined.

What would you spend more or less on?

Joe and I are both very money savvy, so we put our money towards the things that were important to us, and we wouldn’t have done it differently.

Joe and Ellie Puglisi and their wedding party. Picture: Common Studios

One thing you wish people told you about planning a wedding?

I wish there was a guide to planning a COVID wedding – that really threw a spanner in the works, and nobody really knew the best solution to our worries in the beginning.

What helped you get through the stress of changing plans?

We relied on each other and focused on the positive. We knew the day would come around eventually and be even more special.

Joe and Ellie Puglisi. Picture: Common Studios

Advice for other couples whose weddings are impacted by the pandemic?

Don’t allow COVID to take over what’s really important, and that’s your love. Support each other and whatever the world throws at you, you’ll get through it together.