Romantic or controlling?

The article says he arranged it all while she was in the UK for six months, so maybe she was genuinely surprized.
I arranged a weekend away for DH 50th. I packed our bags while he was at work and loaded it into my car. He didn't have a clue until I told him to get in the car. Even then he thought we were just going out for the day. He finally twigged when we pulled up at the hotel. It is possible to arrange a genuine surprise.
DH was delighted.

It probably was organised with an eye to her book... a 'nice' ending to the story, eh?

The only time I organised a surprise it was a disaster. A surprise birthday for the then OH, his colleagues were asked to get him home but he spun me such a fabrication of lies that all became clear. The party was awful and he walked out the next day. Never again. I'd hate a surprise wedding but wouldn't mind a celebration meal sometime if current OH reads this... (never in a million years so that won't happen!!)

Perhaps it's just me being cynical, but a lot of publicity has been generated with this story and perhaps it will help when seeking a publisher for any forthcoming book.

If it was truly a surprise, I consider his actions to be presumptuous and attention-seeking.

The person I was in 1976 might have thought it was wonderful but the person I am now would be furious!

She knew nothing? Really? Oh, come on!

Cynical? Moi?

Wouldn't suit me I d be very annoyed half the joy of a big event is the excitement of the planning the ups and downs and anyway I wouldnt want any man choose my wedding dress nah not for me

Here we are,
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2277459/Canadian-spends-months-recreating-grandmothers-daily-life-London-based-love-letters-sent-Atlantic-World-War-Two.html
As long as she didn't feel pressured to say "yes, I do" it is a lovely ending.

May be wrong but I think I read somewhere the Bride is writing a book about retracing her Grandmother's footsteps so perhaps this makes for a good ending for the book?

I'd have been furious. I was once when OH planned a "surprise" holiday. (I thought that it was what he wanted to do...) It was a fantastic holiday!