Kacy and Ashley met while in middle school. The two became friends and remained so, even when Ashley moved away and when she eventually moved back, the two of them planned an outing as friends to catch up. Somewhere along the line of reconnecting, something magical changed. “Here we are today, almost nine years later, married,” says Kacy.
The two got engaged when Ashley planned a surprise proposal at Kacy’s 30th birthday party. In front of their friends and family, Ashley encouraged Kacy to thank everyone for attending the party, completely unaware of the surprise about to happen. It was then that Ashley got down on one knee and asked in front of their loved ones, just how Kacy had always hoped she would. “It was truly perfect,” says Kacy.
It was the goal of the couple to bring elegance and romance to their wedding but maintain a simplistic vibe. Kacy and Ashley are used to planning parties and events for themselves and other people, so they naturally found it easy to develop the ideal wedding. Keeping the focus on what they loved and wanted as a couple helped them in keeping focus on the big picture, free from any compromise. However, the variety of options presented to be the biggest challenge! “We could do this, or this or THIS! That’s where it starts to get overwhelming. However, that’s also when we would pause, take a step back and get back to the mindset that we are planning the best day of our lives,” says Kacy.
Set in the afternoon outdoors, under a gorgeous tree, the two wed in front of their loved ones. It was important that the officiant tell their story and capture exactly who they are, which she did perfectly. One happy accident that the couple didn’t expect was who would read their vows first. When the moment came, the two spontaneously played rock, paper, scissors to determine who would go first, which instantly made everyone laugh.
The main DIY project of the wedding were the favors. The couple passed out custom-labeled lighters. During the first dance, everyone held up their lighters in a special nod to Kacy’s dad who passed away three years earlier. Looking out at their guests in that moment, she was reminded of the concerts she and her dad would attend. It was a moment the couple wished would have lasted a lifetime.
The favorite part of the day for the brides was before the wedding. The two stood back to back, with hands held and eyes closed, knowing fully that the next time they would see each other would be at the altar. Having just seen each other the day before, something magical made it feel as if they were touching and talking to each other for the first time. “We were filled with so many emotions: excitement, nervousness, but mostly pure happiness, knowing that this day had finally come,” Kacy says. “We would soon be Mrs. and Mrs.”
—Tara Harbert
