Restaurant Frankie & Benny’s has given away a free engagement party and a pair of rings worth £2,000 for Valentine’s Day. The restaurant launched a cost-of-living proposal for romantics looking to get engaged.
The team at Frankie & Benny’s were shocked by the number of applications for the proposal offer, with over 300 submissions on their social media. The happy couple were David George and Aaron Mackay from Portsmouth who celebrated at the weekend after popping the question “Will you marry me?”.
David, 35, and Aaron, 34, who works in theater marketing, had always dreamed of getting engaged, but the cost of living and supporting David’s mother through ill health had put their dreams on hold.
As the happy couple embraced, the restaurant erupted in applause and cheers. David and Aaron were ushered into a private celebration upstairs to enjoy the moment together, with 15 close friends and family turning up soon after to toast their engagement with a Prosecco party and nibbles.
David said: “The proposal was so emotional, lots of cheering, crying and full of happiness. We’re hoping to get married in the summer and if not, next year for sure. The proposal night went so fast and it was so much fun I want to do it again all over again! Getting down on one knee was the highlight and having the pizza read “Will You” and “Marry Me” created so much confusion for Aaron. I played with it for a split second and then he was really shocked when I opened a mini pizza box to show off the rings. We just cried and got a big round of applause from everyone. It was very special, it will be one of our go-tos for life because our first date was there.”
David added: “We’ve just celebrated our seven year anniversary and believe it or not our first dates were always at Frankie and Benny’s – it all just works!”
Alexandra Gaunt, Frankie & Benny’s Head of Marketing, said: “At Frankie & Benny’s love is everywhere. Times are tough but love always conquers – that’s why this Valentine’s Day we want to give our guests the chance to create a truly magical memory at one of our restaurants Frankie & Benny’s has always been a popular date night for our guests and after this year will be part of a happy couple’s love story forever.”
