Steele knew that pulling off a true surprise for Nicole would be no easy task. As someone who plans weddings for a living and has an eye for every little detail, she’s nearly impossible to catch off guard. But Steele was determined so he teamed up with Lauren, to make it happen.
As luck would have it, Lauren had already planned a girls’ weekend getaway in Paso Robles to celebrate her birthday—an opportunity too perfect to pass up. They both knew this would be the only time Nicole wouldn’t suspect a thing. Steele and Lauren worked through every detail, ensuring that the big moment would unfold flawlessly.
On September 25, 2023, Nicole and Lauren spent the day wine tasting at some of their favorite Paso wineries, laughing, sipping, and soaking in the beautiful scenery. Their final stop was Nicole’s favorite winery—Denner Vineyards.
Unbeknownst to Nicole, Steele had been waiting in the parking lot for the perfect moment. As she sat enjoying the scenery, completely relaxed and unsuspecting, Steele quietly made his way up behind her. With a gentle tap on her shoulder, she turned around to find him down on one knee, a mix of excitement and nerves on his face. Before she could even process what was happening, Steele— a man of few words—blurted out, “SURPRISE!”. And it truly was. The biggest, best surprise of the entire day.
In complete shock, Nicole couldn’t believe what was happening—especially on Lauren’s birthday! It was the one time she never would have expected it, and Steele knew it. With happy tears and a heart full of love, she, of course, said YES!
The celebrations continued with another glass of wine before making their way to one last winery, where an impromptu “just engaged” photoshoot took place. They FaceTimed family and friends, who were just as surprised as Nicole—except for her dad, John, whom Steele had asked for his blessing just days before.
That evening, they celebrated with a beautiful dinner at The Paso Robles Inn, a place close to their hearts. They spent the night reminiscing, laughing, and dreaming about their future together in the hot tub with the stars above.
The next day, with a brand-new ring sparkling on her finger, they took a quick trip to Hearst Castle, capping off a weekend they would cherish forever.
And now, the countdown to September 6, 2025 is on!
