As Delta Goodrem and Brian McFadden commit to spending the rest of their lives together, they make the perfect start with a romantic break to a tropical wonderland.

Recently the pop stars frolicked in the turquoise ocean before Brian swept Delta off her feet, kissing her passionately. But there's an even bigger reason for the 23-year-old's wide smile - she has accepted Brian's proposal and she's now planning her dream wedding in Australia.

Friends say his proposal was an emotional one. During a candlelit dinner in her favourite restaurant, Brian got down on bended knee, his voice trembling as he asked her the question she's waited more than three years to hear. He told her he'd never been happier and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

When she said 'yes' Brian presented her with an enormous diamond ring, and she broke down in tears of joy.

'The way it was described to me, Delta was genuinely overcome,' a friend tells New Idea. 'I don't think she was expecting it. And Brian was so nervous he was breaking out in a sweat and his hands were shaking.'

Brian, 27, had been planning his proposal for weeks, but a cruel and tragic twist of fate had delayed his big moment. The former Westlife singer put his plans on hold after they discovered her mum Lea Goodrem had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Last week he showed his sensitivity by popping the question at a restaurant near Lea's house so she'd be the first to know.

'There were lots of tears that evening, all of happiness,' a family friend says. 'Brian's a thoughtful guy and has certainly made a great start with his future mum-in-law!'

After sharing the news with Delta's family, the couple called Brian's parents, Brendan and Mairead, in Dublin. His mum, dad and younger sister Susan are all said to be thrilled with their engagement.

Brian and Delta then jetted to Bali, where they've hidden themselves away in a luxury five-star resort to spend time together and make a passion-filled start to their new lives.

It's too early for firm plans, but Delta's said to favour a church wedding in Melbourne, possibly in April or May next year.

Until recently, she'd felt she was too young to get married, but her mother's cancer gave her another reason to look at what was really important in her life.

She's told friends she realises it won't always be easy, especially because Brian has two daughters from his first marriage to Kerry Katona. Molly, six, and Lily-Sue, four, currently live with their mum in England, but Brian is fighting for full custody, largely because his first wife has had trouble with drink and drug addictions.

Last year Brian made a formal legal request for sole custody, and he and Delta are building a $4 million house in south-west London to show the judge they can offer the girls a stable home environment.

But for now friends say Delta is looking forward to a dream wedding and the chance to live the life she's always dreamt of.

'Delta became a star so young, and just when it seemed she would conquer the world she was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease,' her friend says.

'She had to deal with the emotional and physical pain of losing her hair and going through chemotherapy. Things got worse when her parents divorced, and then she had to deal with all those vicious lies about her breaking up Brian and Kerry's marriage.

'She's been through so much that even though she is only 23, she's ready to make this decision,' her friend says. 'I can't wait to see her in her wedding dress - she is going to be the most beautiful bride ever!'