Couple's real-life Love Actually as man proposes with sign at Heathrow arrivals

1298     0
Jack
Jack's proposal caught Ayla completely off guard (Image: Ayla Doggett / SWNS)

A couple is appealing to the public to see if anyone caught the magical moment they became engaged on camera.

Forget the streets of Paris, the canals of Venice or the setting sun in Santorini, perhaps all couples seeking a romantic moment need is Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3.

It was Love Actually made real for Jack Howard, 30, who popped the question to Ayla Doggett, 23 on March 12.

As the soothing posh tones of former Prime Minister Hugh Grant said in the Christmas classic, "Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport".

Ayla was returning home from a girl's trip away in Dubai when she met with her loved-up boyfriend holding up a sign at Terminal 3.

'My sister tried to wear a wedding dress to my engagement party - I got revenge' dqxikeidqkikdinv'My sister tried to wear a wedding dress to my engagement party - I got revenge'
Couple's real-life Love Actually as man proposes with sign at Heathrow arrivals'I knew Jack was coming to pick me up from the airport, but I never thought he would propose,' Ayla said (Ayla Doggett / SWNS)

A fan of tradition, Jack asked Ayla's dad for permission before he asked the big question and Ayla said it came out of the blue.

The "reserved" Jack, who owns a transport company, had only got the ring the day before.

Seeing Jack with a sign that said her name, the NHS care assistant said she thought it was "embarrassing", but she hadn't yet seen what else was written.

Ayla said: "I had been in Dubai visiting a friend who moved out there for a girl's weekend.

Couple's real-life Love Actually as man proposes with sign at Heathrow arrivalsAyla celebrating with her nan Margaret Doggett (Ayla Doggett / SWNS)

"I knew Jack was coming to pick me up from the airport, but I never thought he would propose.

"I was walking through the terminal when I saw a board with my name on, and I thought that's so embarrassing why has he brought that.

"But then another bit of the board dropped down to say 'will you marry me'. "I couldn't believe it, he said 'well' and I said 'of course'."

Couple's real-life Love Actually as man proposes with sign at Heathrow arrivalsJack bought the ring the day before (Ayla Doggett / SWNS)

After the Essex couple agreed to spend the rest of their lives together, they were met with a lovely reception from travellers passing by, Ayla said.

"Everyone was clapping and saying congratulations to us, it was lovely," she added.

"It was the last thing I expected, Jack is quite reserved so I never thought he would do something like that in front of lots of people.

'My daughter was a bridesmaid at her teacher's wedding - but I regret it''My daughter was a bridesmaid at her teacher's wedding - but I regret it'

"He asked my dad for permission on the Friday, got the ring on Saturday and then proposed on Sunday.

"It's been a whirlwind."

If anyone does have a photograph or video of the big moment, they should get in touch, the couple said.

Benjamin Lynch

Proposals, Weddings

Read more similar news:

02.02.2023, 18:16 • News
Man tries risky dance floor backflip at his wedding and ends up in a wheelchair
03.02.2023, 10:15 • News
Woman dumbfounded by wedding invite requiring '500-word' essay to attend
03.02.2023, 11:13 • More
Loved-up Brits can now marry in Las Vegas style express weddings - but in Dubai
03.02.2023, 15:02 • News
'My fiancé wants to fix sister's car on our wedding day - I feel so unimportant'
03.02.2023, 15:35 • News
'My sister married my ex-fiancé - I made sure to ruin their wedding'
03.02.2023, 15:52 • News
'I found my fiancé cheating on me with his married co-worker on our wedding day'
03.02.2023, 15:56 • News
'My sister is skipping my wedding as I banned her boyfriend - she's so selfish'
04.02.2023, 15:09 • News
'My dad refuses to pay for my wedding unless it's vegan - I'm uninviting him'
04.02.2023, 17:09 • News
'I defied tradition by wearing a £3.6k pink wedding dress but people hated it'
05.02.2023, 12:29 • News
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz's wedding planners hit back at £132k lawsuit