Castell Coch
Published

A magical marriage proposal was captured on camera at Castell Coch today (Sunday, 09 February), as Cadw provided a Cardiff-based couple with their very own happy ending.

Perfectly framed by the castle’s romanticised towers, the emotional footage shows Clair Johnson, get down on one knee to ask her partner of five years, Stephanie to marry her — in the ‘Welshest’ way possible.

Planned and funded by Cadw, ‘The Very Welsh Proposal’ ran like clockwork and featured everything from a champagne reception to a performance from a male voice choir, with Castell Coch closed to the public for the special occasion.

The special moment took place in the Castle’s Drawing Room, with the couple’s two-year-old daughter, Poppy, taking on the special role of ring-bearer.

The romantic gesture was supported by Pendyrus Male Voice Choir — who performed an a capella rendition of Calon Lân from the castle’s balcony, all in celebration of the newly engaged couple.

Meanwhile, Cadw treated the happy pair to an engagement photoshoot to mark the special occasion, followed by a complementary afternoon tea for two in the Castle’s elegant Tea Rooms — complete with Welsh cakes and bara brith to top-off the truly Welsh experience.

Commenting on the day’s events, Clair said:

“I honestly can’t thank Cadw enough for helping me plan the perfect proposal for the love of my life, Steph.

“To have been able to pop the question in such a romantic location with no-one else around is something we will never forget — it was truly magical.

“Having our little miracle, Poppy, by our side for such a momentous family occasion meant so much to both of us, and the surprise performance from Pendyrus Male Voice Choir was the icing on the cake — the look on Steph’s face as they starting singing said it all!”

Gwydion Griffiths, Head of Marketing at Cadw, said:

“Castell Coch plays host to dozens of proposals every year so it was a pleasure to contribute to and witness the very first one of 2020. 

"On behalf of Cadw, I’d like to wish the happy couple and their family a lifetime of happiness, during which time I’m sure they’ll remember Wales’s most romantic historic site with fond memories. I hope that today’s surprise proposal will ignite the imaginations of couples in Wales and beyond — particularly as we approach Valentine’s Day and the traditional Leap Year proposal window of 29 February!”

Famed for being Wales’s most romantic heritage site, Castell Coch is available to hire as a wedding venue, offering couples the chance to transform their wedding into a real-life fairy-tale. For more information, visit Castell Coch weddings