Adelaide most extravagant proposals: How three SA couples popped the question and what it cost

Picture perfect proposals are costing Adelaide couples up to $20k – and on the annual day of love, grooms are sharing how they popped the question in luxury.

Proposals are no longer as simple as getting down on one knee to profess your love and ask your partner for their hand in marriage.

Adelaide couples are pulling out all stops to pop the big question including teaming up with the best proposal planners in town.

My Proposal Co – a professional planning service – coordinates about 300 proposals a year with event and team manager Megan Stack saying its most extravagant can cost up to $20k.

While February 14 may be considered the most romantic day on the calendar, she said Valentine’s Day proposal requests were not common.

“It’s a day of love, but it can be a hit and miss,” Mrs Stack said.

“Some clients think it’s super romantic, while others think it’s too predictable to propose on that day.”

From intimate winery backdrops and exclusive dinners to helicopter rides and designer engagement rings, here’s how three Adelaide couples’ proposal stories unfolded.

Steven and Jacinta Athinodorou

Location: Mollydooker Wines, McLaren Vale

Cost: $3000 to $6000

Steven Athinodorou proposed to Jacinta Athinodorou at Mollydooker Wines in McLaren Vale. Picture: Dani Barlette Photography

It was a case of friends before lovers for Huntfield Heights newlyweds Steven, 26, and Jacinta Athinodorou, 25.

The extravagant proposal was six months in the making with planning business My Proposal Co organising the logistics and crafting the finer details of a boho backdrop complete with flowers, an arch and a “Will you marry me?” sign.

Steven even got his future wife’s boss in on the scheme to lure Jacinta to Mollydooker Wines under the guise of a meeting and headshot photo shoot.

He said he was “excited, nervous, overwhelmed” and couldn’t stop pacing moments before the faux work event.

“When she arrived, she didn’t take notice of the amazing set up by My Proposal Co, she just thought to herself ‘that’s cute, someone must be getting married this afternoon’,” Steven said.

“I told her how very few people are lucky enough to meet their life partner who is also their best friend, (then) I dropped to one knee and asked her to marry me.

“Once I heard the magic “Yes” I was beyond relieved, the only day that rivals those feelings of happiness is my wedding day.”

The big moment was followed by a helicopter ride over McLaren Vale and the block of land they had recently purchased for their first home.

It was topped off with a weekend at the Oval Hotel, an indulgent tasting menu at Apothecary, and an exclusive dinner on the greens at Adelaide Oval.

Darren Scott and Alyssa Wood

Location: Yalumba Winery, Angaston

Cost: $3000

Alyssa Wood and Darren Scott on their engagement day. Picture: Cassandra Mamone Jewellery

Darren Scott and Alyssa Wood. Picture: Cassandra Mamone Jewellery

Alyssa Wood did not suspect anything when Darren Scott suggested she do a wine tour with friends while he played a round of golf.

But it turned out her future fiancee had been secretly planning an intimate proposal for three months.

From the moment she arrived at Yalumba Winery in Angaston, Alyssa was “on cloud 9, and constantly overwhelmed with happiness by all the surprises” including a Cassandra Mamone Jewellery engagement ring.

“When I arrived I saw Darren standing underneath the clock tower with rose petals on the ground in the shape of a heart,” she said.

“He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.”

The big question was followed by a gourmet picnic in the Yalumba gardens, then a private driver escorted them to Turkey Flat Winery for a wine tasting, before Darren’s final surprise.

“He (the driver) took us to Barossa Helicopters and we had a flight over the Barossa, and then (the driver) dropped us at St Hugo for lunch,” Alyssa said.

“It was a truly magical day and you couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces.”

The Valley View couple, both 33, are expecting their first child in a matter of weeks before officially tying the knot next January.

Malith Bamunuarachchi and Mel Joseph

Location: Port Willunga Beach, Port Willunga

Cost: $1700

Malith Bamunuarachchi proposes to Mel Joseph at Port Willunga Beach. Picture: SvenStudio

Malith Bamunuarachchi and Mel Joseph. Picture: SvenStudio

Not only living together but working in the same office made it incredibly difficult for Malith Bamunuarachchi, 29, to keep his proposal plans a secret.

But with the help of proposal planners Fox Meets Charlie he was able to surprise an oblivious Mel Joseph, 27 at a meaningful beach location.

“I took her for lunch at Salopian Inn saying I wanted to take her out after my first pay from the new job,” Malith said.

“After lunch at McLaren Vale, I slipped the idea that we should go to our favourite beach, Port Willunga, and watch the sunset before going home.”

Little did Mel know a photographer and a picture perfect location with a neon “Will you marry me?” sign, candles, dried white flowers and a grazing platter were waiting for her.

She spotted the set up from a distance and while initially confused, her reaction quickly changed to “over the moon”.

“As the sun went down I got down on one knee and popped the question and she said ‘yes’,” Malith said.

Within four months of their August engagement the Modbury couple were married and honeymooning in Sri Lanka and Dubai.

Originally published as Adelaide most extravagant proposals: How three SA couples popped the question and what it cost