The Trilogy: Three Proposals and a Beer Line

Jen Carr

Jen Carr

— 3 min read
Share
The Trilogy: Three Proposals and a Beer Line

May 26, 2026

Our story didn't start at a five-star gala; it started in a Parisian beer line in 2022. John was the lead LED tech on year one of Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour, and while he calls it "love at first sight," the road to getting me to agree to a first date was definitely a bit bumpy. But once the rhythm hit, it never stopped.

Proposal I: The Vienna "First Date" August 2022

Most people get dinner and a movie for a first date. I got a proposal. I met John on his Vienna tour stop, and he decided to set the bar at "High."

  • The Moment: We were in a Fiaker (a traditional Viennese horse-drawn carriage) clopping through the cobblestones. Right in front of the Vienna Opera House, he popped the question for the first time.
  • The Vienna Vibe: If you’re heading to the city of music, you have to do the Danube River Cruise at sunset. It’s "Silent Luxury" at its best.
  • Pro-Tip: Skip the "herd" at the main tourist cafes and head to Prater Park for the giant Ferris wheel views, or grab a Sacher Torte at Café Sacher; it’s a tourist cliché for a reason.

Proposal II: The "Love Actually" New Year Day (2023)

John knew that Love Actually is my father’s favorite movie, so for Proposal #2, he went full cinematic.

  • The Moment: On New Year's Day, we walked to St. Luke’s Mews in Notting Hill; the exact street from the movie. He mimicked the famous "cue card" scene to ask me again (and yes, I still have the cards!). He even had his friends hidden away taping the whole thing.
  • The Notting Hill Soul: We lived close to here at the time, and the area is pure magic. It’s eclectic, vibrant, and "Loud" with colour.
  • The Local Hack: Hit Portobello Road Market on a Saturday for the antiques, but go on a weekday for the best street food without the crushing crowds. Grab a coffee at Libby's or a pastry at the Notting Hill Bakery; the quality is 5-star.

Proposal III: The Guinness Mecca (2024)

By the time we got to Ireland a year later, I’m pretty sure we were already married, but John doesn't let technicalities get in the way of a good tradition.

  • The Moment: We spent the afternoon at the Guinness Storehouse (John’s personal Mecca). We did the full deep-dive into the history from the 9,000-year lease to the gravity bar.
  • The "Pouring Room": We spent hours in the pouring room learning the art of the perfect pint (it really is a science). After we were sufficiently "hydrated," we took another horse-drawn carriage ride outside St. James’s Gate, where he officially made it a hat-trick.
  • The Dublin Strategy: If you’re visiting the Storehouse, book the STOUTie experience to get your face printed on the head of your beer. It’s the ultimate "Loud" souvenir.

Survival 101: The "Engagement" Edition

  • The Logistics: If you're doing a horse-drawn carriage in Vienna or Dublin, agree on the price before the horse starts moving.
  • The Notting Hill Crowd: St. Luke's Mews is a residential street. If you're visiting the Love Actually house, be "Silent Lux". Take your photos, leave a donation for their charity box, and be respectful of the neighbors.
  • The Restroom Ritual: The Guinness Storehouse has pristine facilities, but out on the streets of Notting Hill or Vienna? Keep your tissues handy. Even a three-time fiancée knows that "Life on the Road" waits for no one.

The Takeaway

Three proposals, two horse-drawn carriages, and one legendary movie moment. John might be an LED tech by trade, but he’s a world-class romantic by choice. Whether it’s rubble castles or Guinness pints, our story is just getting started.

Talk soon (and probably loudly),

Jen

Read more