The Engagement

Paris, France - Circa 2022

The iconic Arc de Triomphe framed by lush greenery, as seen from the bustling Champs-Élysées near the Cartier store.

Bonjour!

This week we’re taking it back to our engagement in Paris, France. Some might even call it our wedding, part-one. So if you're heading to Paris, take notes, because we have a great line up for you.

Paris has a way of making everything feel a little more magical. But our engagement… that was next-level. Of course, in true “Andy” fashion, it almost didn’t happen. A week before the trip, Andy lost his passport… cue the meltdown… but luckily I had a backup plan. Our friends, family, and I will simply Facetime Andy from Paris and I’ll propose over the phone. Andy might not like it, but I am NOT missing this trip.  Of course, with a little luck and a few frantic phone calls (maybe even some divine intervention) he made it to Paris. Even then, our trip did not come without a hiccup or two.

While walking off our flight in Paris, we happened to bump into an old friend, Nicky Doll, who was arriving to the city for RuPaul's Drag Race. Aware of our engagement, but not completely in the know of our few days ahead - there was an ever so slight slip up that Andy luckily didn't catch...

Our view from the very charming, Hotel Lancaster

We made our way to Hotel Lancaster where we took some time to settle in and hit later The Champs-Élysées for some site seeing and shopping.

On our first full afternoon, I suggested we swing by Cartier to “look at bracelets.” Andy, being Andy, was more interested in napping than window shopping, but somehow I convinced him to tag along. The staff greeted us like royalty and led us to a private salon upstairs, perfectly in on the plan. Once the door closed, Andy looked around and said, “Wow, they’re really going to be disappointed when you don’t buy anything.” We both laughed as the associate walked into the room with our rings... yes, rings. I obviously needed one too - it was Cartier after all.

Andy steps out of Cartier to 27 friends and family raising a toast with champagne in hand.

His face was caught somewhere between excitement and questioning if this was all a prank... Which quickly turned into pure excitement as I went into my shakey speech leading to the proposal.

The surprises didn’t end there. As we stepped out of Cartier, Andy was greeted by what he thought was a flash mob... but actually turned out to be 27 of our closest friends and family waiting on the street, champagne already in hand. (Yes, I pulled it off. I’m still proud of that.)

Our "flash mob" moved onto the next location, while Andy and I immediately went into our engagement photos. We worked with the incredible Sarah Couturier and with her direction our photos are something out of a magazine. We recommend her endlessly!

We celebrated with an intimate dinner at the

Four Seasons, complete with a menu crafted by their Michelin-starred chef, and then ended the night the only way we know how; laughing, dancing, and drinking bubbles at the

iconic Crazy Horse.

If you’ve never been, do yourself a favor and go. It was my second time there, and trust me, it won’t be my last! The show is sexy, artistic, and is somehow both classy and completely wild… Very on brand with mine and Andy’s dynamic. You’ll recognize scenes which inspired the queen herself, Beyonce, when creating the Partition music video. 

"It was a night of love,

laughter,

& luxury;

a perfect reflection of us.

Somewhat chaotic,

a little over the top,

& absolutely unforgettable."