CultureMap readers sure are a bunch of romantics.
When we asked you to tell us about a memorable wedding proposal that took place in a Houston-area restaurant, you answered in droves. The entries, submitted in the first-ever "A Proposal to Remember" contest, co-sponsored by the Greater Houston Restaurant Association, were so touching that it was hard to pick one winner.
We eventually decided to go with a little magic.
Alejandro Cruz hatched a plan to propose to Gisela Saldivar that involved a magician. Here's how it went, in Cruz's own words:
First I hired a magician (Theo Plummer) and told him my idea about proposing during a magic act. I went to Hugo's and talked to two managers and told them that my idea was to get a nice table away from the main entrance and also to allow a magician to arrive 10 minutes before us so he could start doing some magic tricks with the other clients at other tables so my girlfriend could see this and think that it was all part of the restaurant.
When we arrived, the magician was at another table. We were shown to our table and, after the appetizers, the magician came and did one trick where he asked us for a coin. It started disappearing and appearing and at the end there was no coin. Instead, a ring appeared.
He asked her, "Is this yours?"
I said, "No, that's mine," and I proposed. At the same time the song "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri began to play, thanks to Hugo's (this was also part of the plan), and everything went just perfect.
Hugo's personal were all very helpful, they even gave us champagne and a special dessert to celebrate. They printed out our menu in a nice format. They also allowed me to hire photographer Alejo Almanza to capture the moments, and he did! Also, the table next to us were friends of the magician and they filmed my proposal."
Congratulations to Alejandro and Gisella, who plan to get married April 5 at Tuscany Villa in Katy.
As first place winners, they will receive a Houston staycation — a one-night stay at the Royal Sonesta Houston (complimentary champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, along with breakfast for two) and a $100 gift certificate for dinner for two at Frank’s Americana Revival restaurant.
Read first-runnerup Shawn Culpepper's touching tale of a wedding proposal that happened with some puppy love. Second-runnerup Melissa Lopez engagement story will be posted soon on CultureMap.
Watch Alejandro's magical proposal here:
After a magician magically discovered an engagement ring, Alejandro Cruz got down on bended knee to propose to Gisela Saldivar at Hugo's restaurant
