Introducing our newest planning diaries couple... Maggie Smith and Jordan Lowdon. Here, they share their first planning diary as they start to plan their engagement party
Model and influencer Maggie Smith and personal trainer Jordan Lowdon dated for four years before he got down on one knee in Paris
June 2025 update – love story and romantic engagement
Jordan and I grew up in the same area but our paths had never really crossed until a mutual friend put us in touch.
At the time, I was working in a bar with my friend Nicola, and her boyfriend was friends with Jordan.
The boys visited one night and Jordan asked me for my number, but I was in a relationship at the time. Two years later, though, that relationship ended, and I was trying to keep myself busy by travelling for work a lot.
Jordan heard through Nicola that I was now single and messaged me within a couple of days.
The couple got engaged after four years together
I laugh about it now, but I honestly made Jordan work for that first date. I was reluctant to make things serious but, thankfully, he kept chasing.
We’ve been together for four years now and couldn’t imagine life without one another. In January this year, I turned 30 and Jordan organised a surprise trip to Paris. It’s my favourite place in the world – and now it’s the place we got engaged.
My friends keep saying to me, “Surely you must have known,” but I honestly had no idea that Jordan was going to propose.
On the first day of our trip, we visited all of the city’s major landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, and we both said to one another that it felt like such a romantic day. We were in a bubble already at that point.
The happy couple got engaged during a trip to Paris
After lots of walking, we went back to the hotel to get dressed for dinner. Jordan got ready in no time at all, and kept pacing around the room – so much so that at one point I said to him, “You’re making me feel stressed.”
Then, just as we were about to head out, he asked if I wanted another birthday gift.
I was thinking to myself, “You wanted to leave ages ago – why now?”
He then handed me an adventure book that was filled with so many milestones and photographs from our relationship.
Jordan made an adorable adventure book for Maggie
It was the most lovely, thoughtful gift. When I got to the last page, there was a blank space with the words “Please say yes, my love”.
I looked up and Jordan was down on one knee. We were both sobbing when, of course, I said yes!
We went out for dinner and drinks afterwards but decided not to tell anyone the news until the next day – we wanted to soak up the magic just the two of us. What I do for a living is quite public, but I’m naturally a private person and I wanted to stay in our bubble for as long as possible.
Start the search for a venue on Tie the Knot Scotland's online directory
What's next?
I already know where I’ll be heading for my wedding dress – the one and only Opus Couture!
Jordan and I have started venue hunting, but we can’t decide if we’d like a registry office and then a big party afterwards in Scotland, or to tie the knot abroad in Spain.
We’ve fallen in love with a venue in Malaga but won’t truly know until we’ve viewed it, which we hope to do this summer.
One thing I’ve noticed is that Jordan is much more organised than I am – he’s already thinking about budgets and vendors!
August 2025 update – colour schemes, wedding parties and must-have music
Life never stops for us – things have been pretty busy ever since we got engaged in January. But, in all honesty, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love our life together.
One thing these past few months have taught me, though, is that you don’t have to do what’s expected of you.
For example, Jordan and I thought we needed to have an engagement party, but when we started adding up all the costs associated with one, we realised we could put that money towards our home and doing up our garden.
The pair are still in their 'engagement bubble'
It was a bittersweet decision to cancel it, but we know we’ll get so much more out of our garden in the long run.
We love hosting and entertaining, and having a nice outdoor space means we can invite our friends and family over more often. I think we’re getting practical in our old age, ha! Although I did jokingly say to Jordan that I already had an outfit planned…
Find inspiration for your bridal style here
One thing that’s been in our thoughts is picking our bridal party and groomsmen. Jordan and I are both very lucky that we have lots of amazing people in our life, and we want to include them all in our big day. What that will look like, though, we don’t know yet.
We’ll either have nine people each or one maid of honour and one best man. It’s going to be a very difficult decision!
Either way, I know my bridesmaids will be in ivory or a lovely pastel colour. I’ve had a wedding album saved on Instagram ever since I’ve had an account – not just since I got engaged. I’ve also been using TikTok a lot when it comes to finding inspiration.
Search for bridesmaid dress boutiques in Scotland
Maggie and Jordan are excited to start asking loved ones to be in their wedding party
Speaking of other difficult decisions, don’t even get me started on music choices. Music has always been a big part of our love story, so picking songs to play on the most important day of our lives will be a big task.
Discover inspiration whatever your entertainment style – from string quartets to DJs, fireworks to caricaturists
I think I’ve decided on a song for walking down the aisle and one for our first dance (Jordan picked it, actually!). We might also make an announcement at the beginning of the day to say ‘every song has been picked with care’… Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. We don’t even have a venue yet!
Next up for the happy couple is picking a wedding venue
What's next?
The idea of hosting our wedding abroad (Jordan is keen on Mallorca in particular!) is still playing very heavily on our minds.
We’re hoping to narrow down five venues in Spain by July or August this year, then take some time off to go and view the shortlist. It’s all feeling very real now!
