Passing float is part of Bristol parade wedding proposal

Bristol man coordinates his marriage proposal with the Falcoa brothers during Fourth parade

By Manuel C. "Manny" Correira
Posted 7/12/19

The Fourth of July Parade wasn’t the only thing worth celebrating along a stretch of High Street last Thursday.

As parade worshipers were enjoying the day’s festivities, a proposal …

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Passing float is part of Bristol parade wedding proposal

Bristol man coordinates his marriage proposal with the Falcoa brothers during Fourth parade

Posted

The Fourth of July Parade wasn’t the only thing worth celebrating along a stretch of High Street last Thursday.

As parade worshipers were enjoying the day’s festivities, a proposal of marriage took place in front of those in the immediate area.

“The proposal went off without a hitch,” said the couple’s good friend and Bristol Fourth of July Committee member Lisa Ridder. “It was just perfect.”

The groom-to-be is Skylar Ellison and the bride-to-be is Brianna Costa. Both grew up on the south shore of Long Island, N.Y.  They have called Bristol their home for one year and hope to call it home for many years to come.

According to Ms. Ridder, “Skylar tossed around a few different ideas for a proposal, but his choice became easy. He knew that the excitement of the Bristol Fourth of July Parade would make it the perfect place to create this lifelong memory. “

I work with Skylar,” said Ms. Ridder, “so he ran the idea by me and asked if I could help, knowing that I was a member of the Bristol Fourth of July Committee. I got on it, and with the help of Ray Falcoa and his boys, Tyler and Ryan, we were able to make Skylar's wish come true.”

Skylar and Brianna have a special song, "Die A Happy Man" by Thomas Rhett, and Tyler and Ryan sang/played that song as they were passing by the couple. Skylar had a banner made which hung on the side of Tyler and Ryan’s float.  It had a lyric from the song printed on it, as well as "Brianna, will you marry me?” 

Being a part of Bristol’s most famous event on the Fourth of July made this all the more noteworthy.

“I was there to witness the whole thing,” said Ms. Ridder, “and needless to say it was a huge surprise for Brianna. Their family was there at the parade to celebrate with them, and it was a beautiful moment which will always be remembered by the couple and everyone there who witnessed it.”

Ms. Rider said a lot of credit has to go to Ray Falcoa and his highly entertaining sons for making this a special day for everyone.

“I would really like to thank the Falcoas (dad and his boys), because without their kindness in helping me to make this happen, it wouldn't have been so perfect,” she concluded.

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