Sweet Florals & Friends Made This Surprise Proposal The Best Start To Forever

This couple’s paths crossed more than once before they got to their gorgeous surprise proposal in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Ricky and Wansley shared their first hello’s at an African Night event and that’s where Ricky asked Wansley for her number, which set the couple up on their incredible journey to I do! With Ricky’s elaborate plan to get his soon-to-be fiancé at the right place at the right time, family and friends got in on the surprise.

The surprise proposal at the wine bar Uncork’d was made even more touching because each person gave the bride-to-be a beautiful white rose which formed into a pretty bouquet as she walked down to meet Ricky who was ready to pop the question.

Check out all the heartwarming details of the couple’s proposal in the gallery below!

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• Couple: Wansley & Chiricka “Ricky”
• Occupations: Mental Health Therapist | Emergency Department Medical Physician

How we met…

 My fiancé Ricky Orisakwe and I met officially on September 2, 2017, at a mutual friend’s baby dedication.

We had two chance encounters earlier that year before the night we officially met.

For instance, African Night. At this event, we sat together and Ricky volunteered me rather than himself to participate in a performance. We also discovered we shared the same tailor.

On September 2nd, the event’s dress code was all white. Breaking the rules a bit, I wore white linen pants with an ocean blue top. Ricky wore ash-washed jeans with a white v-neck shirt. With many people in attendance, Ricky was often in my personal space, which I found odd but did not pay much attention to.

At one point, a toddler crawled into my arms. Not knowing who the child belonged to, I figured their parents would eventually claim them. After hours of holding the child, Ricky approached me with another child in hand, stating “This is the sibling to the child you have been holding.” I informed him I did not know whose child I was holding, let alone that they had a sibling. I wandered off, but Ricky continued hovering nearby.

As the evening wound down, I started talking to someone from work who was also single.

Being one of the few singles at this mostly married event, I welcomed the conversation. Meanwhile, Ricky was chatting with the community elders. Before I knew it, he stood intimately close, blocking the man I was speaking with.

Ricky asked for my number because he was getting ready to leave. I obliged. As he walked me to my car, he said work would keep him busy Sunday through Tuesday but he would contact me to set up a time to get together. After walking me to my car, Ricky immediately texted me, suggesting we meet up on Wednesday after work for happy hour at Sake.

Our proposal story…

My surprise proposal story is magical, despite all the deception I endured. In the week leading up to it, Ricky and I purchased a Mediterranean restaurant and bar. We completed our soft re-opening on July 13th, 2023, the same day my parents arrived in town. We spent the entire weekend working at the lounge.

Earlier that week, my best friend Kristina, a renowned makeup artist, contacted me asking if I could model for a photo shoot she was working on. I eagerly agreed. She said she would provide more details over the weekend. When my parents visit, we usually have dinner and a pool party. This time I decided on brunch and a pool party instead.

At the Saturday pool gathering on July 15, 2023, Kristina told me my hair appointment would start at 8:30 a.m. and she would arrive an hour later to begin makeup. My household hadn’t gotten home until 2 a.m. and I didn’t get to bed until 3 a.m., so I was exhausted yet ready by 7:30 a.m. My parents went to church as usual and Ricky had an emergency at the restaurant.

While getting my hair done, I was extremely tired. I asked if I could nap quickly but was told no. Both Kristina and Stacy, my hair stylist, were acting strange.

Kristina pulled out my “special occasion dress” and pretended not to know why I had purchased the beautiful emerald green 1960s sequined off-shoulder pencil dress from Retro-Stage. In my typical fashion, I had bought two dresses for my “special occasion” so I brushed it off.

Stacy was in charge of getting me to the venue. She had the hardest job because I’m very observant. When we pulled up to Uncork’d, I immediately noticed family and friends’ cars. Stacy left me in the car, claiming she needed to check if the photoshoot was ready – but my observations were stressing her out!

Once I dragged my exhausted self out of the car and got inside, I was told I’d receive one rose from each guest.

Upon entering the beautifully decorated restaurant, everyone close to me was there dressed in shades of brown. As I walked down the makeshift aisle lined with loved ones, the love surrounding me was pure magic. I made sure to be present and have a special moment with each person.

When I reached my family and got the approval signal, I knew this was everything I never knew I wanted. Ricky’s speech was thoughtful and heartfelt. And when he got down on one knee and presented the ring, all I could do was cry and say yes! We celebrated with our friends and family, soaking up their congratulations.

Finding the one… 

I knew Ricky was the one when I was willing to share my cramped space with him while he renovated his newly purchased home. Living together in my modest space for those four months, despite the occasional cramped quarters, revealed a compatibility and resilience that made me believe we could face anything together.

The challenge of coexisting in 900 square feet turned out to be a unique bonding experience, showing me that Ricky was not only someone I could live with but also someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. It was during those months that I recognized the depth of our connection and the potential for a lasting relationship.

Our first date together…

During our first date at Sake, we chose to sit at the bar, where we shared and compared our Pinterest boards. It’s surprising how much you can discover about someone through their pins. For hours, we discussed our lives, interests, and, I must admit, my numerous dietary restrictions (I have quite a few, haha).

As the basketball game played in the background, the conversation flowed easily. As the evening concluded, he scheduled our next date for two days later. The following day, he made a spontaneous visit to my office just to say hello. From that moment, we’ve been inseparable.

These are our favorite things…

In our relationship, two things we absolutely love are traveling and watching “90 Day Fiance” on TLC. Immersing ourselves in new cultures, trying different foods, and creating core memories together during our travels is something we really enjoy.

Since both of us have demanding jobs, unplugging from societal pressure is crucial. Traveling provides the perfect opportunity to unwind and fully appreciate each other’s company. It’s like our way of hitting the reset button and deepening our connection.

Wedding planning is…

Wedding planning is on hold for now as we need to fulfill cultural obligations following the loss of the family’s patriarch. We’ll begin wedding planning at the start of 2024.

Wedding day wishes…

The highlight of any wedding for me is witnessing the groom’s expression as the bride walks down the aisle. I can’t wait to see Ricky’s face light up when I make my way down the aisle on our special day.

Vendors:

• Photographer: Kristi Boatright 
• Planner|Makeup Artist: Kristina Ross-Jones
• Hair Stylist: House of Styles
• Balloons: Artistic Air
• Caterer: Jasmine Williams
• Bartender: Anthony Williamson
• Venue: Uncork’d 
• Nails: Kathy with Solar Nails
• Ring: John Mays Jewelers
• Dress: Retro Stage
• Alterations: Sweety Darlin Designs
• Shoes: Christian Louboutin

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