See how one N.J. man staged the ultimate wedding proposal (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Nicole Pieri did not anticipate her boyfriend of four years, Chris Hallberg, would propose anytime soon.

But if he did, she had some idea of how he might do it.

"Chris' two favorite things are surprises and big get-togethers, so I always suspected that if he proposed, he might try to do something clever," Pieri said.

Still, she never imagined the scale of what he had planned.

Two weeks ago, Hallberg proposed to Pieri at The College of New Jersey on an open field where they met during freshman orientation eight years ago.

Hallberg staged an alumni Playfair event -- an ice breaker hosted for freshman at the school each year -- with 50 of their friends and relatives.

"There are so many special memories on that campus, not just of meeting, but the four years we spent as best friends, running all over every inch of the place and going on crazy adventures together -- like playing manhunt on the grounds, playing in a band in the Rathskellar, and trying to row a cardboard boat across the lake," Pieri said. (The last effort didn't get far).

Now, they can add their engagement to the list of memorable moments shared on the Ewing campus.

HOW THEY MET 

Hallberg and Pieri met in August of their freshman year during a Playfair event -- an outdoor icebreaker for large groups in which a narrator shouts commands over a loud speaker such as "Get into groups by birth month -- without speaking."

"We were running in opposite directions and she hooked my arm and literally swept me off my feet," Hallberg said. "We ran into each other more figuratively after the event and quickly became best friends."

Hallberg and Pieri, both 26, agree that they have known their relationship was "the real deal" since they started dating.

Their relationship was platonic throughout college, but they were always very close.

"We were dating other people and we actually were both engaged to other people," Hallberg said. "Long story short, we weren't with the right people, we weren't with people that would actually make us happy for the rest of our lives."

The couple, who now live in Drexel Hill, Pa., said together they realized how miserable they were without each other.

"It's been so refreshing and healing and enjoyable from day one. That kind of ease and happiness that you feel to the core is something you know you have to hold on to," Hallberg said. "She's everything I ever wanted in a friend and more than I expected in a life partner."

Chris Hallberg proposed to his girlfriend of four years on June 28 at their alma mater. (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

THE PROPOSAL

A few months ago, Hallberg got the idea to propose at his alma mater.

When Pieri arrived to The College of New Jersey campus on June 28, everyone was running around a field behind a set of campus dorms.

"At first, I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was going on," Pieri said.

As she joined the crowd, Pieri thought she saw her older brother Ryan run past her, but she quickly dismissed it because he lives in Maine. When his two-year-old son ran past and said "Hi, Nicky!" however, she was flabbergasted.

"I turned to look at the person next to me, and realized I was standing next to my mom," Pieri said. "My jaw was on the ground."

Her mother said: "Oh, hi baby" and ran off again, as if it was the most normal thing.

"I started looking around and realizing slowly that every single person there was someone I knew and loved, and everyone was just smiling and waving to me like it was no big deal," Pieri said.

Once she realized she wasn't losing her mind, Pieri was overcome with excitement.

By this time, Hallberg had escorted her to a small stage and was down on one knee.

"I've known you were the one for me since we started dating," Hallberg said tearfully, his words barely audible through the cheers from the assembled crowd. "So, I would like you to marry me."

Pieri, also in tears, accepted his proposal and quickly embraced him.

"I never could have imagined what he had planned," she said. "This was far and away more special than anything I could have dreamed up, and it meant so, so much to have everyone I loved there to share the moment with us."

She and Hallberg are already considering when to wed.

"We're thinking maybe next summer," Pieri said. "That should give me enough time to stop giggling and ogling my ring long enough to make table settings."

Janelle Griffith may be reached at jgriffith@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @janellefiona. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.

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