From Dubai with love – Caroline helps couples to pop the question!

We have all heard of a fairy-tale romance but for University of Derby graduate, Caroline Garvey, her happy ever after has become a reality.

Having graduated from Derby in 2007 with a First Class Honours in Travel and Tourism Management, Cheshire-born Caroline has recently launched her new business, Proposal Boutique – a bespoke engagement proposal planning service to make that special moment even more magical.

‘Proposal Planning’ is a relatively new term but refers to professional event co-ordinators who specialise in engagement proposals. Caroline explains some of the tasks involved: “We create unique proposal ideas, scout locations, hire caterers, musicians, photographers and videographers, draw up the necessary contracts, acquire permits, source the perfect accessories, attend the proposal to ensure it all runs smoothly, plan contingencies, the list goes on…!”

Caroline now lives in Dubai with her fiancé Tom Ralston, also a University of Derby graduate and Project Manager for Eclipse Staging Services, who she met while studying at the University. She says the idea for her business came after her dream proposal by Tom: “I decided to set up Proposal Boutique after Tom proposed to me on a five day holiday to New York one Christmas.

“Every single aspect of the proposal was perfectly planned, and he incorporated all the things he had learnt about me during our six years together. It was everything I dreamed it would be and I love telling my story to everyone that I meet.

“All the women I talk to say they would love it if their boyfriend proposed in such a way so I now make it my goal to help others with a truly amazing proposal!”

Caroline is already taking full advantage of all that Dubai has to offer and has built great relationships with many vendors in the city, including hotels, restaurants, musicians, bars, photographers and florists.

The couple also make a great work team and Tom recently helped Caroline with Dubai’s largest ever proposal, managing the logistics and a 40-piece orchestra while she looked after the couple. The all-important question was popped in the middle of a ‘We Will Rock You’ concert.

Talking about her time at the University, Caroline said: “I cannot thank the University of Derby enough for all my business success. The course taught me everything I needed to know to be an entrepreneur and gave me the skills and confidence to pursue my own business.

“When starting a business, you need the confidence that you can succeed and ongoing support from your peers, and even after graduating eight years ago this is something that I still have from my lecturers.”

For details of the services offered at Boutique Proposal, please visit: www.proposalboutique.com. Find out more information about studying Tourism Management courses at the University of Derby.