'We're over the Moon' after eclipse engagement

News imageBen Fiore The ark shape of the Moon is in front of the sun, whose rays are shining out across the sea. The silhouettes of a couple are seen on rocks on the headland with the sea behind them and the sun's rays reflected in the water.Ben Fiore
Ben Fiore captured the moment as Guernsey enjoyed the partial eclipse of the sun

A bride-to-be said she was "over the Moon" after her partner of three years surprised her by proposing as they watched the recent partial eclipse of the sun at a beauty spot where they had one of their first dates.

Jade Goracy told the BBC Alain Branquet told her he had arranged a photoshoot with photographer Ben Fiore who had put a shout out for islanders who wanted to record special memories of the eclipse.

She said: "We went to the headland at Lihou, where we went on a picnic on one of our first dates.

"It was already a fantastic evening anyway and with the proposal added on top, I was taken by surprise."

News imageBen Fiore The silhouette of a bearded man is on the left of the shot . He is holding the hand of a woman on the right of the shot. The sun is in the background behind them, with the sea in the distance.Ben Fiore
Alain timed the proposal for the partial eclipse of the sun

The couple first met as children aged eight and later "bumped into each other again at social events", Goracy, who works in aviation safety, said.

She said Branquet, a motor mechanic and business partner at a motorcycle company, later told her he had been planning a proposal since the start of the year.

The 30-year-olds have been dating for three years and have not yet set a wedding date.

Goracy said: "All of our friends and family are just over the Moon as we are."

News imageBen Fiore Alain Branquet has a beard and is watching Jade Goracy look at the engagement ring. She is wearing a black bandeau top.Ben Fiore
Branquet had a ring ready even though he had short notice about the photoshoot

Branquet said: "There was quite a lot of nerves and planning that went into it, but it all worked out really well."

Photographer Ben Fiore said: "I'm always looking to photograph something different and push what's possible creatively.

"Whether it's a portrait, proposal, wedding or a completely crazy idea, I'm always up for trying to turn it into an image people will remember."

He said he and Branquet "spent five days working out the details, making sure the location, timing and photography all came together smoothly".

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