'May the Fourth': How One 'Star Wars' Fan Pulled Off Epic Proposal

Chris Rosario surprised his fiance with a ring at the "Star Wars" exhibit.

ByABC News
May 4, 2016, 12:25 PM

— -- For Chris Rosario, of Queens, New York, "Star Wars" has a very special meaning to him and his fiancee.

Rosario, who met his girlfriend Laura Mario at Comic Con a few years back, popped the question recently at the "Star Wars" Costume Exhibition at Discovery Times Square in New York City.

Rosario, who plans to wed his blushing bride next June, spoke to ABC News today, on "May the Fourth," about the epic proposal and what homages will be present when they tie the knot in 2017.

"There will be 'light' nods to 'Star Wars,'" Rosario said. "The cake topper will have silhouettes of Han and Leia that says, 'I Love You.' ... 'I Know,'" a reference to the climactic scene in "Empire Strikes Back."

"I might try to convince her to let me get one lightsaber pic in too," he added.

Though the couple's relationship has grown in the past three years through cosplay and conventions, Rosario said his fiancee wants a mostly "normal" wedding.

How the Proposal Happened

It was Dec. 18 and most of the country was preparing to see "The Force Awakens." Rosario and Mario were no different. His timetable to pop the question had moved up since he heard that his girlfriend wanted to get engaged before the New Year.

"I had originally planned to propose to her during a 'Star Wars' Day Disney cruise ... in mid-January," he said. "But then I realized that not too long ago the Discovery Times Square museum opened up their 'Star Wars' exhibition."

PHOTO: Chris Rosario Pulls off surprise "Star Wars" proposal.
Chris Rosario Pulls off surprise "Star Wars" proposal.

Rosario said he decided he would proposed by the costumes on display of Anakin and Padme from "The Clone Wars," where the duo famously tie the knot in secret to close "Episode II."

A week before the big night, he worked with the museum to set things up.

"They were very accommodating and happy to help," he said. "I proposed I would provide the music to be played over speakers of the wedding costumes, and thought using the wedding theme from the second film would be absolutely perfect."

When the day arrived, Rosario told Mario that they would be heading to dinner after the movie and museum, so they had to dress up. He even had a special password at the door, so they knew he was the patron who had planned to propose.

"Tell Matt, Darth Vader's secret apprentice is here," he said. "Walking past the Sand People section, the security guard looked at me and gave me a nod."

That guard blocked off the rest of the crowd, so the couple would have privacy.

The Big Moment

When it came time and they were standing in front of the Anakin and Padme figures, he faked that he was going to the bathroom.

"I came back and she was like, 'That was fast,'" he said.

PHOTO: Chris Rosario Pulls off surprise "Star Wars" proposal.
Chris Rosario Pulls off surprise "Star Wars" proposal.

After a small, but very poignant speech, he took her hands, got down on one knee and noticed her face was turning red in excitement.

"I could feel my heart beating out of my chest," he added. "She said, 'Yes, definitely!'"

When the couple headed to dinner to celebrate, Rosario said, little did she know that he had "planned for both of our families to meet us afterwards at the restaurant!"

"We walked to the back and suddenly she asks me, 'Is that your sister?' And to her surprise, our families stood up, applauded in front of the restaurant," he said.