Three months of secret planning ended in success last night when Melanie Algate said 'yes' after an elaborate and romantic marriage proposal on Cromer Pier.
Lee Black, 31, had arranged for friends and family to hold up a series of romantic messages on boards as he and Ms Algate, 26, walked the length of the pier, and a flash-mob dance routine outside the pavilion theatre. The last message, held up by Ms Algate's sons Ajay, nine, and four-year-old Ashton, read: 'Mummy, Lee has something important to ask you.'
The dancers led the tearful Ms Algate into the centre of a circle where they showered her with confetti before Mr Black joined her, got down on one knee, popped the question and placed a diamond engagement ring on her finger. 'How could I say 'no'' joked Ms Algate, from Mundesley, after the surprise.
'It was so emotional for me – overwhelming and amazing. I knew Lee was romantic, but I didn't know he could plan all this.'
She said her first inkling that something was going to happen was when she read the first message held up on a white board, which read: 'From the moment we set eyes on each other, I knew you were the one.'
Mr Black, who owns Cromer Trading Centre, on the town's Mount Street, said he had been very nervous and shaking as they left the Red Lion pub, where they had been having a drink, and walked along the pier. 'I told her we were picking up tickets for Oliver! from the theatre and I don't think she suspected anything,' he said.
Natalie Sands, from Marlene's School of Dance in Cromer, planned the flash-mob routine, using 16 dancers who performed to Bruno Mars' Marry You.
Ms Algate, who works as a personal assistant at the Bacton Gas site, said they had talked about getting married in the past.
The couple met in a bar in Cromer and have been together for 18 months. They will soon be moving in to a shared home in the town's Wood View.
They plan to marry in two years' time in Mundesley Parish Church, where Ms Algate was christened.
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