0The Couple: Aubrey & Jared

Wedding Date: June 09, 2013

Photography by Catherine Sackett Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We met like many couples do – through a mutual friend. But, our relationship was anything but typical after that! After a few days of just saying hello and awkwardly looking at each other, we finally had a real conversation. It was friendly and casual, even if I was completely taken back by his charm!

Our most notable “just met” story is the incident that happened the day we decided to actually have a conversation. We decided to take an hour drive to Syracuse to fix his sound system. But, it was actually his tired old burnt orange jeep that needed help! The axel-shaft broke, and one of the tires went flying down the highway!

I told him at the beginning of the trip to wear his seatbelt, and that ended up saving his life! I brought him his Copenhagen, squeezed his shoulders, and told him everything was fine. Obviously, we didn’t finish our trip!

Over a span of two years after that, we kept up with talking and getting to know each other. I thought of him as a great friend, and vice versa. He was in the Army, and I was just out of high school, randomly traveling the east, and then west, coast.

We were there for each other in tough times and when we asked each other out, we’d always say no! We were too busy or doing things, like deploying, that would make a fresh relationship difficult.

About five months before he came home from his deployment in Afghanistan, we became very close again. We talked every night on Skype and Facebook, and sent (actual) letters to each other. Finally, he told me “this was supposed to happen” – that we were supposed to fall in love, that it was inevitable. . . And, he was right.

What was the most amazing part of your day? The moment I said, “I do.”

What else would you like to share about your big day? It was incredible! We had our families together, including my grandfather that I haven’t seen in over 7 years. I was able to watch our lives connect in more ways than just us. I have one huge family now!

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Ceremony and Reception Site: High Sierra Iris and Wedding Gardens

Ceremony Musicians: GP Productions

Officiant: David Cripe, Father of the Groom

Photographer: Catherine Sackett Photography

Wedding Planner: April Mosher

Caterer: ABC Grill

Cake/Desserts: The Barley Loaf

Flowers: Camino Flower Shop

Favors: DIY

Bridal and Bridesmaids’ Attire: David’s Bridal

Hair and Make-up: Kayla Owens, Scarlett Salon

Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

DJ/Entertainment/Band: GP Productions

Décor and Furniture Rentals: High Sierra Iris and Wedding Gardens

Linen Rentals: ABC Grill

Honeymoon Location: Universal Studios

First Dance Song: “New York to California” by Matt Kearney

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Don’t procrastinate!!!!!

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? Not a thing; it was a beautiful moment.

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.

Photos courtesy of and copyright Catherine Sackett Photography.

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