Oh how we love our real couple models—since we launched Real Weddings in 2007, we’ve always only ever used real couples as our models for our shoots. And at each of our shoots, we easily fall in love with our couples, and Ally + Rich were no exception…these two brought their love and laughter to our Cheers to the Best Day styled shoot, and here you get to know them just a little bit more, and perhaps fall in love with them like we did!
What made you want to model for this photo shoot?
Ally: Ever since I was little—and to this day—I’ve loved weddings: the dresses, flowers, colors, and glamour of it all. I would always go to the magazine aisle, pick up a bridal magazine, and be in awe over the photos, while also imagining my own wedding day. Who wouldn’t want to be in magazine? When I saw that Real Weddings actually uses real people and couples, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Who wouldn’t want to be in a magazine? It was a dream come true and an experience I’ll never forget!
Rich: My beautiful fiance Ally!
Above photos: On Ally:
Gown from @thebridalbox.roseville // Jewelry from @renewablejewels // Bouquet by @bloemdecorflorist with wholesale flowers from @jdwholesale
Hair and Makeup by @the.makeup.bar.llc
On Rich:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville
Tell us about your modeling experience.
Ally: While it was a long day, it was so much fun! Playing dress up with fun wedding gowns was a dream! The entire team at Real Weddings and the vendors were so sweet and absolutely crushed it; we even got some great ideas for our own wedding next year! Everyone was so accommodating and made sure I was comfortable and fed throughout!
Above photos: On Ally:
Gown from @delarosasbridal // Jewelry from @marykkendig // Hair and Makeup by @the.makeup.bar.llc
On Rich:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville
How was modeling with your significant other?
Ally: It was the best! I told Rich after we left, I was so grateful I got to do it with him. It still would’ve been fun even if he weren’t there, but having him by my side throughout the day made it even more fun. It truly made me even more excited for our wedding and the rest of the planning process. We both walked away saying what an amazing opportunity we had during our engagement season that not a lot of people get.
Rich: It was really amazing to see Ally light up the building. The Real Weddings’ team was amazing and made us feel warm and welcomed. I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity.
Above photos: On Ally:
Gown from @thebridalbox.roseville // Jewelry from @macys @macysroseville // Bouquet by @bloemdecorflorist with wholesale flowers from @jdwholesale
Hair and Makeup by @the.makeup.bar.llc
Did you relate to the concept/theme?
Ally: When I went in, my first thought was “none of this will be my style” but jokes on me because I loved it all so much! It helped me see new ideas that I would’ve said no to had I not seen it in person! I definitely think you’ll see some of these details at our own wedding!
Rich: I’m a real go-with-the-flow kind of guy in these scenarios. Whatever they told me to do I was doing. All I wanted to do was kiss my lady a million times seeing how stunning she was in all the different attire. The theme we shot wasn’t something Ally and I would do for ourselves, so getting to experience something like what we shot was really awesome! It gave us some new ideas and concepts for our own wedding to come.
Above photo: On Rich:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville
On Ally:
Gown from @thebridalbox.roseville // Jewelry from @macys @macysroseville // Bouquet by @bloemdecorflorist with wholesale flowers from @jdwholesale
Hair and Makeup by @the.makeup.bar.llc
What was your favorite part of the shoot?
Ally: I seriously loved it all. From the venue, to the hair, makeup, and dresses (and getting into them), to Wendy making us all laugh and bringing the energy, I had the best experience and made great connections. Of course, getting to do it alongside my best friend and future husband made it even sweeter.
Rich: Easy. Seeing Ally living what seemed to be every woman’s dream! I don’t know any woman that wouldn’t have loved to be pampered and treated so well for an entire day. Ally was super appreciative that I made and took the time do this with her. We only have one fiance era and I’m here to ensure she has the best time during our engagement.
Above photos: On Rich:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville
On Ally:
Earrings and Gown from @ellisblakebridal // Shoes from @dsw
Above photo: On Ally:
Gown from @aebridal // Earrings by @renewablejewels // Bouquet by @bloemdecorflorist with wholesale flowers from @jdwholesale
Hair and Makeup by @the.makeup.bar.llc
On Rich:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville
Tell us about your love story. How did you meet? What was the proposal like?
Ally: We first met in 2018 on Bumble, I ultimately only ended up swiping right and messaging because he knew one of my best friends so I knew he wasn’t a weirdo. We dated when we first met but ultimately we decided to remain friends and stayed in contact. A few years later we went on a date and reconnected now here we are about to get married 😍
The proposal, I love telling this story! Rich proposed to me on June 14, 2024 in South Lake Tahoe, one of our favorite spots to visit. We had planned a weekend getaway to see one of his favorite artists, Mitchell Tenpenny at Harvey’s Outdoor arena and honestly, that’s all I thought we were doing but he had other plans! I woke up that day and my allergies were killing me, it was extremely windy and pollen was flying through the air. My eyes were swollen, red and puffy, I couldn’t stop coughing or sneezing. We had “brunch reservations” but I couldn’t put makeup on and I felt horrible so I didn’t get dressed up. There were a few mishaps along the way (having to change hotels, construction on the roads and me taking my time LOL) but he was very adamant about these “brunch reservations” and this pier we had access to. We finally get to the brunch location and we have to walk through a resort to get to the pier and restaurant. As soon as we hit the sand, he runs into someone he knows who wouldn’t stop talking and he keeps trying to inch away. Little did I know, he spotted the photographer and was trying to get us over before I noticed the guy. We finally get to the “private pier” and he tells me “if anyone says anything, act like you own the place” so I did. As we walked on a guy asked “are you here for the photos” and Rich sternly says “no” meanwhile he had immediately put his hand behind his back to give the thumbs up that it was us and we were there for photos. He was oddly silent as we were walking and brushed off everything I was saying, I was getting so annoyed. I start rambling about my fear of drowning and how deep Lake Tahoe is, etc. He brushes it off so I got silent and just watched parasailers fly up. As we approached this massive flock of seagulls, he gently pulled my hand and my first thought was “finally, we can go eat now” and as I slowly turned, he was crying and getting down on one knee. Mind you, he told me he wasn’t going to propose until next year so my first reaction was to jokingly tap him on the shoulder and tell him what a punk he was LOL. We had no brunch reservations but he did hire a photographer who took some of my favorite photos yet. Then our friends surprised us and took us to lunch to celebrate. It was the most perfect proposal for us and Tahoe will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Rich: Haha! This is funny. Ally and I both swiped right on Bumble. She almost didn’t initiate the conversation. There was maybe 45 minutes left for the 24 hour response time to initiate a conversation. Once she did we started seeing each other and had a few dates. Something was different about her and I wasn’t in a position mentally to allow someone like her in my life. I wouldn’t have been able to give her what she needed. In fact, I told her after 2 weeks that I didn’t want anything serious. We maintained a healthy friendship over the next years as I healed from a previous relationship as well as learned a lot about myself. Personally, I needed therapy and I took that head on and here we are happy and flourishing in our love.
The proposal was ssssooo funny! MEN, women’s intuition is REAL!! It started in April 2024. Ally was heading out of town for her cousin’s graduation from Grand Canyon University. She was leaving that Thursday and I had it planned to do some ring shopping. That Tuesday, we were hanging out on the couch winding down for the day and Ally said, “hey babe, do you ever want to get married?” I replied “sure”.
From that moment on she was on it. I bought the ring that weekend. There were several instances from then until June 14th when I did ask her that she just knew something was going on even though I stonewalled her on every question.
I booked a photographer and paid the deposit. The next day she said, “hey babe, when you do propose please be sure to have a photographer.”
I had the engagement all planned out. We were heading to Tahoe for a country concert on June 14th. We get there the 13th and have some Rum Runners and as we sit down on the patio overlooking the water Ally asks me who my best man would be and follows that question with who my groomsmen would be. I replied who my best man would be and then told her “look, you’ve been on me about proposing and marriage since April. No more questions. I keep telling you next year and you’re putting pressure on me and it sucks”. HAHA! Little did she know the ring was packed and the plan was fully in place to execute.
The next morning I had told her I had brunch reservations at Boathouse on the Pier and that we were going to go down the private pier and my friend had given us access. Just follow me and if either of the workers asked just ignore them.
I saw the photographer from a distance tuck away in the little room off the dock and new everything was in order. As we pass the gate one of the workers asked if we were there for the photos and I sternly replied “NO!”.
We walked down the pier and she’s going on about her fear of drowning and I tell her to look down into the water, it was maybe waist deep. She continues on and we get to where the photographer told me to stop. I stopped her, got down on one knee and told her how much I loved her and asked her to marry me. In which she replied “you little sh*t! You told me next year”.
She then said yes and we hugged and kissed after I put the ring on her finger. Then I reminded her of her photographer request and turned and pointed back to the entry of the pier and there was CJ with his camera!
We celebrated by a ton of free drinks and facetiming our friends and family! Got her!
Above photos: On Ally:
Gown from @aebridal // Earrings by @renewablejewels // Bouquet by @bloemdecorflorist with wholesale flowers from @jdwholesale
Hair and Makeup by @the.makeup.bar.llc
On Rich:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville
Tell us about your wedding day.
Ally: We are getting married in 2025 at The Maples in Woodland and after this shoot, I can’t wait for our wedding! We’re still in the earlier stages of planning so nothing set in stone but we are both so excited!
Rich: We are getting married October 11, 2025. We have a lot of things figured out and we are in our fiance era!
Above photos: On Ally:
Gown from @thebridalbox.roseville // Earrings by @renewablejewels // Bouquet by @bloemdecorflorist with wholesale flowers from @jdwholesale
Hair and Makeup by @the.makeup.bar.llc
On Rich:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville
If you could offer any advice to engaged couples what would it be?
Ally: Romanticize your engagement period whether it’s a month or a year long, enjoy every moment! Do all the things from cake tasting, wine tastings, to the fun photos, do it all and make it a fun date night! You’ll never get this engagement period back and this time before the wedding so make it fun and don’t let the wedding planning be stressful!
My favorite piece of advice, set a non negotiable date night on your wedding day each month leading up to the wedding. We’ve been going on a date every month on our wedding date even in the midst of planning chaos and work, we still do it. We don’t sit on our phones and we truly enjoy each others company. I get excited each month as that day nears because not only do we get time together but it’s one month closer to marrying my best friend!
Rich: Great question, the first thing I’d recommend is that your engaged season is likely shorter than your dating phase and should be way shorter than your marriage. Enjoy it to the fullest.
Another piece of advise was that remember the commitment now is for forever. Let the petty and individual egoistic things go. Put your partner first in your thoughts and seek to understand.
Above photos: On Ally:
Gown from @thebridalbox.roseville // Jewelry from @macys @macysroseville // Shoes from @dsw
Bouquet by @bloemdecorflorist with wholesale flowers from @jdwholesale
Hair and Makeup by @the.makeup.bar.llc
On Rich:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville
Anything else you’d like to add?
Rich: Be the partner you want your partner to be. As a man I think it’s important to show your soft side and know how to be an amazing leader, husband, partner, and friend. Learn how to communicate in effective and a positive ways. Never buy her flowers to make up from an argument. Always remember to date one another. Imagine the rest of your life going on dates and adventures with your best friend! You have one life, make it something you’ll be proud of at the end!
Special thanks to our real couple models, Ally & Rich, and all of the professionals who contributed to this feature!
Click here to see more from our “Cheers to the Best Day” styled shoot!
