The Proposal in Cape May: Our Christmas Engagement Story
- carolynmariex3
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Why Cape May Will Always Be “Our Place”
Cape May has been a meaningful part of our relationship from the very beginning. It was our first vacation together, where we woke up early to watch the sunrise on Sunset Beach. From that moment, Cape May became our special spot — the place we returned to almost every summer and our favorite quiet escape every winter.
A Christmas Trip at the Bedford Inn
For our 2023 holiday getaway, we stayed at the Bedford Inn, a Cape May bed & breakfast beautifully decorated for Christmas and featured on the town’s Christmas Candlelight Tour. The entire inn felt warm, nostalgic, and magical — exactly the kind of setting I always imagined for a Christmas engagement.
The Sunset Beach Proposal
On December 23rd, we left the inn and drove to Sunset Beach. We walked along the shoreline, but the sun wasn’t setting in that direction. That’s when Zach suddenly rushed us back into the truck and drove to a private beach entrance nearby.
The beach was completely empty. Just the waves, the cool December breeze, and the sun starting to sink toward the horizon.
That’s where he proposed — quietly, simply, and perfectly, with the sunset lighting up the sky behind him.
A Surprise Photographer on the Beach
In the most unexpected twist, a woman appeared walking her white golden retriever along the beach. She saw us and immediately asked if we had just gotten engaged. When we said yes, she told us she was a photographer and offered to take a few pictures for us. She captured the moment, wished us well, and continued walking down the beach like something out of a story.
Celebrating in Cape May
After the proposal, we celebrated with dinner at Sapore Italiano, enjoying their pasta special that they serve all year long. From there, we drove to Congress Hall for hot chocolate and Christmas lights, soaking in every moment of the night.
Waking Up Engaged on Christmas Eve
The next morning — Christmas Eve — we woke up engaged. We enjoyed the Bedford Inn’s velvet waffles, bought two of their mugs to remember the weekend, and headed home to share the news with our family.
Why This Cape May Engagement Means So Much
Cape May has been woven into our relationship since the beginning. Getting engaged there, during the most magical time of year, made it even more meaningful. It’s a place we’ll return to for the rest of our lives, remembering where the next chapter of our story began.
Keywords included: Cape May engagement, Sunset Beach, Christmas proposal, Bedford Inn Cape May, Cape May winter trip, Cape May love story