HOW HE PROPOSED
Nolan wanted to take me to dinner on a Sunday evening. When I asked him what time we’d go he said 430. I thought it was an odd time, definitely earlier than usual, but we were at a wedding for one of our closest friends so I didn’t ask too many questions after that. When we got in the car and asked him where we were going to dinner, I got jitters in my stomach when he answered with the same restaurant where we had our first date. After we ate and enjoyed a delicious meal, we decided to take a walk outside the restaurant. The area had a great outdoor space and we loved walking through some of the shops. It was early November so cold enough for a heavy coat and starting to get dark. Right as we were passing a large fountain, he turned me around and started telling me how much he loved me and the thought of our future together. I don’t remember much he said after that, but I hope I always remember the look in his eye as he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. I of course said yes and cried like a baby. Trying to soak in the moment, I was shocked to see his parents there, dad with a camera in hand to capture the moment and his wonderful mom beaming with joy! We walked across the street to find our best friends there waiting to help us celebrate the magical moment.
ALL ABOUT THE WEDDING
Our wedding is one I’ve been told (and now believe) will be a unique story, unlike any others. When Nolan and I were engaged in November of 2018, we took our time planning. We not only wanted to take in the joy of being newly engaged, but 2019 was a very busy year for us. We had 7 other weddings to attend, 5 of which I was a bridesmaid or maid of honor in. Trying to find a date that felt right was tough enough, so we thought March 28, 2020 was perfect. The 28th was our day, the day of our first date, so it held great significance to our story. Little did we know what we do now.
As we all know, 2020 has been a year unlike any other. Due to the pandemic, we had to postpone our reception and wedding ceremony with all of our guests just 10 days before our March 28th date. Needless to say, we were devastated. All the planning, all the thoughts of encouragement from our family and friends, all the dreams of seeing our hard work come to life- gone in a matter of minutes. Shortly after we came to terms with the fact of postponing, our planner jumped into action, reaching out to all of our vendors to secure a new date. We knew we weren’t the only couple impacted by the pandemic, so it was a mad dash to lock in a new date that didn’t put us a year or two down the line. Within 72 hours we had a new date! We were happy to have it taken care of, but we knew something still wasn’t right.
It wasn’t about the reception, or the party or all the little details we had planned. At the end of the day, we just wanted to be husband and wife. We didn’t need the big dress or white chocolate raspberry cake. We just needed to say ‘I do’. Because we were having a Catholic ceremony, we had to be approved by the Bishop to move forward with a very small ceremony. Within a few days, we received tremendous news- we were still allowed to be married as planned!
The morning of March 28th, the wonderful hair and makeup team I signed with graciously agreed to still get me ready for my special day. I drove to the owner’s studio and she transformed me into the bride I always envisioned for myself. When I got home I slipped on the dress I bought for our rehearsal dinner. I remember thinking when I bought it how much I loved the simplicity & classic look of the dress. I never would have guessed it would be what I’d get married in. I drove to the church, where Nolan already was, and waited in a back room until it was time. My photographer, Leah, came to check on me and wish me good luck. To this day, I tell everyone how much I loved having Leah as our photographer. Not only was she so easy to work with, but she was such a calming and supportive energy. Shortly after she headed back into the church, I heard the organ start to play. That was my cue to get to the altar.
Walking into the church, Nolan had never looked as handsome as he did that day. In a navy suit, he stood at the front of the church. I could see the emotion of the moment rush over his face and suddenly my own. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.
The ceremony was much different than we had planned. We were allowed only 10 people at the ceremony, including ourselves and the priest. There was no choir, no songs. No wedding party. No communion. Just the readings we selected to be read & the exchange of vows. In all its simplicity, it was truly perfect.
We said ‘I do’ in front of Nolan’s mom and her fiancé, Nolan’s aunt, uncle and cousin Matthew. Matthew was able to set up a Facebook live video so all of our family, wedding party and close friends were unable attend were able to watch the ceremony from their homes. Little did we know when we walked out of the church the majority of the people watching from “home” were in the parking lot waiting to honk and shout their congratulations. Shocked and overwhelmed, we both cried tears of joy. That night we were still able to spend a night away from our home and enjoy the evening as husband and wife. It was simple and easy, and again, perfect.
Being able to have our intimate March ceremony made our July ceremony that much more fun. There was no stress about the frivolous details. It gave us the ability to enjoy the time we had with our families and wedding party without unnecessary stresses. While we weren’t able to have as many guests as previously planned, we were so thankful for all of the guests who were able to attend. I was very thankful to have my family there since they were not able to be there in March (they all live outside of Dallas). The dress I picked to be married in was just as wonderful as I thought it would be. It made me feel like a princess and I still joke to Nolan to not be surprised if he comes home one day and I have it on cleaning dishes. It was a magical day, filled with so much laughter (especially when our cake almost hit the floor at the reception), love &, my favorite part of every wedding, dancing.
Our wedding truly is unique, and hindsight being what it is, I’m so happy it turned out to be like nothing we had planned. In every way, it was so much better.
WEDDING STYLE: Romantic
Dream Team of Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Ceremony Venue: All Saints Catholic Church – Dallas, TX
Wedding Reception Venue: On the Levee
Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Memory Makers Wedding & Event Planning
Wedding Gown Designer: Wtoo by Watters (Montgomery)
Wedding Gown Boutique: Bridal Boutique Lewisville
Groom’s Tux/Suit: The Black Tux
Wedding Photographer: Leah Goetzel
Wedding Florals: TR Floral
Wedding Catering: Tatering
Wedding Hair & Makeup: The Styling Stewardess
Wedding DJ: DJ Connection
Additional Vendors: Whiskey Cake, Bella Bridesmaids
Breakdown of Costs to Replicate this Wedding Inspiration on Lake Washington:
Initial Wedding Budget: $40,000
Actually Spent: I wish I knew ha! I lost track but I’m sure Nolan would have a better idea
Guest Count: 120
Wedding Reception Venue: about $6,000
Wedding Catering/Bar: about $10,000
Wedding Florals: about $2,800
Wedding Cakes: about $250
Wedding Paper Goods: about $800
Wedding DJ: about $800
Wedding Photography: about $2,100
Wedding Planning/Coordination: about $1,500
Wedding Hair & Makeup: about $3,500
Wedding Gown: about $1,900
Bridesmaid Gifts: about $1,000
Groomsmen Gifts: about $500
Wedding Reception Koozies: about $300
Loving this Romantic Wedding Style? Check out our Romantic Wedding Ideas on Pinterest for more inspiration!