I was the one who actually asked Michael out, asking if he wanted to hang out after work one day. I remember being really nervous because I wasn’t sure if it was a date or what we should do, drinks, coffee, dinner? But as soon as he showed up, I was immediately relaxed because he made me laugh right away. Next we found out we both love mexican food and went to Santa Fe [restaurant] right down Main St. [in Newark]. It is still our weekly date night spot!

I knew pretty early on that someday I would marry Michael: we had a immediate connection. It was something I had never experienced before and the way he could make me laugh and how much fun we had- I just knew we were meant to be! We got an apartment together in North East, MD and an awesome rescue dog, Bo-Bo. A year later we bought a townhouse together and obviously needed another dog.. not really but we got one anyway! So we rescued Rusty.

After a long three years of happiness and pestering, Michael proposed on June 2, 2013. It was very sweet; he asked me to go downstairs and get the iPad from the kitchen. When I went to get it, he had left a message on the screen made out of refrigerator magnet letters, asking me to marry him! Then, shyly, Michael and our two goofy dogs awkwardly raced down the stairs, and he got down on one knee! I said yes and was overwhelmed by the gorgeous ring he designed all by himself!

Luckily that night was Shannon (my best friend) and Matt’s reception to celebrate their destination wedding, so all my family and friends were together and were very excited to hear about the proposal and see the beautiful ring.

Even before Michael proposed I was wedding planning! Having worked with mkPhoto for a short while and being completely obsessed with all the fun and beautiful details that make up weddings I was just too excited! Since I have some insider experience in weddings I knew a few things right away: I didn’t want a ‘traditional’ ballroom space, I WANTED snow, I wanted good food and a huge dance party! Also for better or worse Pinterest is a great planning tool and I went to work, pinning and sorting through all the wedding craziness. Loving skiing and snowboarding and ski ‘culture’, I started to plan this party with a ‘winter wonderland’/ski lodge coziness theme. I’m from the Kennett Square area and I went on a hunt for a rustic/ski lodge-y location and found the perfect fit in the Gables of Chadds Ford. They had just created a beautiful outdoor garden space and the party space! It was rustic with exposed wood beams and christmas lights- it was perfect!

Next I set to work on all my DIY, I was an art major in college and love doing crafts- even when they don’t come out perfect. I knitted the groom and grooms men’s bow ties and pocket squares, I made all the favors- hot cocoa and marshmallows, I embroidered the Mr. and Mrs. signs and helped make the flag garlands that dressed up the ‘party’ room. As well as all my DIY projects, I had a lace piece of my late grandma’s dress- the same dress she wore to my parents wedding- attached to the back of my dress to honor her. I also wore for some photos and the ceremony my mother’s fur coat that my dad had given her as an engagement present.

I don’t know what the ‘most’ memorable moment of the night was but a few definitely stand out:
– When Michael and I saw each other as my dad was walking me down the aisle- even though we had done a reveal and already seen each other- that was a big moment.
– During the ceremony PJ (my best friend’s little brother and officiant) asked Michael to repeat a line when giving me my ring and Michael tripped over his words which made everyone laugh!
– Seeing my 92 year old grandmother crying while giving Michael a hug and welcoming him to the family
– Lastly, but certainly not least, my 16 year old cousin Sammy dancing in my mom’s fur coat… funniest thing EVER!!