HOW DID YOU MEET?

We actually went to high school together but he was a year younger. We never connected then even though we had several mutual friends. Aaron was dedicated to all his sports and was more shy. I also probably would not have dated him then anyway being a year younger. If you ask him though he always had a crush on me! We met several years later at a friend’s kid’s birthday party. I was there with my son and he played catch with him and then walked me to my car and asked me for my number.

WHEN DID YOU BECOME ENGAGED, AND HOW?

We got engaged in June of 2024. He proposed to me on the beach in Mexico with my son there to take pictures and videos.

#WEDDINGGOALS

I wanted the day to be about love and I really wanted a fall wedding in the country but not rustic and cowboy boots, but more elegant and modern but with some rustic elements that were natural. It turned out stunning.

HOW DID PLANNING GO?

Emily made the planning so easy and fun! Especially the design reveal in her studio. The worst moment was an issue we had with our first florist, but then Emily found Natalie who saved the day and made everything beautiful.

 

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

The guest list. My husband knows everyone—the entire county would have been invited!

HOW WAS THE CEREMONY?

The ceremony was perfect! When I met with Scott I really wanted people to understand our story and he made sure people laughed and cried. We also wanted to be surprised so we really didn’t know anything that he was going to say about us or our relationship. We did not hear it or rehearse it prior. We just trusted that he took what we said and would make it great. I also think Emily was a bit worried too ha ha because at the rehearsal he kinda sounded like he didn’t know what he was doing but we trusted him and it was a beautiful tribute to our love, what we had gone through together and how we are as a couple. Aaron and I had both lost our dads and we had chairs for them with pictures of them on their seats and both our moms lit a candle for them. It was important for us that they had a special seat.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

My son’s speech was priceless! He nailed it and for a 19 year old I was worried especially because he didn’t have anything written down. He said “I am so happy my mom has someone to help her because she has always been there for me and now she has someone to be there for her.” He said as long as I can remember Aaron has just always been there and there is no one else that I would let marry my mom. Another fun thing was I decided to do dance lessons about a month before the wedding and honestly I stressed more about pulling that off than anything else. It was so fun to do as our first dance. I almost didn’t go through with it, but Aaron was a great leader and we pulled it off! We also did a sparkler send off!

ANY CULTURAL FEATURES?

We had a Mariachi band which was really fun because my husband is Hispanic so that was a really fun way to bring that into the mix!

FUNNY UNEXPECTED MOMENT

I think my son’s speech. When he started he said “you all have no idea how much this woman has done for me” and everyone laughed and said “yes we do,” and he laughed and said “okay so maybe you do!”

SPECIAL DANCE SONGS

First Dance: “That’s How Strong My Love Is” by Otis Redding
Cake Cutting: “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard
Last Dance: “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton

Bride and Son Dance: “God Your Mama and Me” by Florida Georgia Line
It was special to us because we used to sing a lot in the car together when he was a kid and our dance since we practiced so much the month before.

BEST PART OF YOUR DAY

We did a first look and did private vows in the orchard prior which was really special to us both and very intimate. We also did a first look with my son and gave him my dad’s crucifix to wear down the aisle so a part of him was with us together. That was a moment I will never forget—just the three of us together before walking down the aisle. Aaron would say that when we were at our head table it was incredible to look out and see all our favorite people together in one beautiful place and everyone was so happy. It was a moment where we both just thought — wow, all these people, some from other states, came here to celebrate us, and it doesn’t ever happen again that you have all your favorite people together. The song I had our wedding party walk down the aisle to was “Days Like These” by Luke Combs, and I really think the lyrics of that song sum up our day and what it meant to us: “Days like these are worth more than gold, and they can’t be bought and they can’t be sold.”

FAVORITE DETAIL

We did signature drinks which were fun! Bobby, one of my bartenders, made fresh sangria with pears and a ginger beer mocktail for Aaron. Mine was a fall pear sangria named “Her Pear Fect Day” and his was a pear ginger mocktail named “The Pear Fect Driver!”

#VENDORRAVES
Emily from Barnswallow was absolutely amazing. She made the entire process so seamless, and she was so detailed throughout everything—I was so impressed by her and her team.

LOOKING BACK, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR GUESTS WILL REMEMBER THE MOST?

I think they will remember what a beautiful day it was and that they felt like we took care of them. It got chilly at night so the blankets and hand warmers were a hit. I also think the live Mariachi band that came out during the cocktail hour were unexpected and they were so fun and got the guests excited.

ADVICE FROM THE BRIDE

Having a wedding planner is one of the best things we did. It wasn’t in our original budget, but when you have someone who is so committed to your day and understands your vision, it allows you to not stress—you get to relax and know that your planner is there to make sure everything comes together.

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

I would have hired Emily from Barnswallow sooner!