WireImage; Inset: Courtesy Erin Fetherston and Gabe Saporta
It’s official: Cobra Starship rocker Gabe Saporta and fashion designer Erin Fetherston are engaged!
Saporta popped the question to his bride-to-be on New Year’s Eve while on vacation in Barbados. “I woke up at dawn to go collect coral and flowers from the beach next to our cottage,” Saporta tells PEOPLE. “I used them to write out my proposal on our patio and then I woke Erin up in a frenzy to come see a ‘monkey’ that had appeared in our backyard. My sleepy-eyed bride quickly realized the only monkey that morning was me … and of course, she said,’Yes!’”
Saporta and Fetherson, who began dating in 2010, say they started seriously discussing marriage this past fall — and she was even involved in designing her ring. But Saporta couldn’t resist pulling a few fake-outs when it came to finally popping the question.
“Since she knew about the ring, surprising her with a proposal was going to prove a challenge,” he says. “My first step was to psych her out. On Christmas Eve, I gave her a nicely wrapped ring-box that did non contain her engagement ring. It contained a sick amethyst cocktail ring instead.”
Fetherston’s actual engagement ring, however, is no joke. Designed by Lorraine Schwartz, it’s an emerald-cut stone set in a pavé basket on a pavé band. “The platinum was oxidized to give the ring a vintage feeling,” says Fetherson. “I love it because it’s luminous and romantic, with the right amount of edge.”
While the couple are still in the planning stages for their big day, Fetherston already has ideas for her dress and ceremony. “I will definitely design my own dress,” she says, “and my fairytale aesthetic will undoubtedly influence the look and feel of the wedding.”
As for Saporta, who is recording a new album with his band, he says, “It’s gonna be a classy shindig.”
–Kevin O’Donnell
PHOTOS: SEE MORE GORGEOUS STAR ENGAGEMENT RINGS HERE!
