Water way to propose
Stunning photos captured the moment a Bath couple got engaged in the most romantic way in the middle of Pulteney Weir.
Zac Barrett, 32, got down on one knee before an emotional Chloe Hooper on her 29th birthday, on Wednesday, July 22.
Miss Hooper said yes and the couple had an exclusive dinner on the island, only accessible by boat, next to the weir at sunset.
Dinner was served by chef Christophe Lacroix from Ma Cuisine in Larkhall, Bath, and there was even a violinist to serenade the couple.
Family friend Katrina Logut says that despite the very romantic set-up, Miss Hooper was not expecting the proposal at all under the current Covid-19 circumstances.
“It was a complete surprise,” she said. “He just said, ‘I’m doing something special for your birthday’ and to dress up.
“It took him months to plan – to get the chef, the violinist and everything.
“He didn’t tell her where he was taking her and he got a friend to bring her.
“It was on the little island off Pulteney Weir so they had to get across on a row boat and that’s where the chef was cooking. “It was all done by walkie talkies, saying she’s on her way.” Ms Logut commissioned local photographer Paul Gillis to capture the special moment between the couple, who have been together for three years.
“I thought because she didn’t know it would be great to get some photos, which is why I asked Paul to get some shots from a long distance,” she said. Mr Barrett described his engagement as “the happiest day of my life.”
He also hopes to track down the complete stranger who jumped off his boat onto the island to help him prepare when he saw him tackling all the rubbish there. The family would love to know who he is and to thank him – they believe he goes by the name the Cornish Boatman.