WE’RE ENGAGED!!!

What the heck?! It’s so freaking unreal to say STILL!

PROPOSAL STORY

I mean, I knew it was coming but I wasn’t completely sure when. I had mentioned to Andrew that I wanted a destination proposal in one of my favorite places. We weren’t about to go/were even allowed into New Zealand this year and we went to Utah in June and it didn’t happen, so when we headed to St. John in the USVI, I figured it was coming.

We arrived on St. John on Friday and on Monday I had scheduled a photoshoot! Backstory, I had wanted some couple photos taken while we were there because we hadn’t done any since we were both at Baylor in like 2018. So, I did lots of research and found an amazing photographer on the island and scheduled our shoot for Monday. Okay, back to the original story. To say I didn’t know it was coming would be a lie. I grew up going to St. John since I was 3 and Andrew had never been, so for Andrew to take initiative and want to go somewhere specifically, I knew it had to be happening.

On Sunday, Andrew was like “I made dinner reservations for tonight” and I was thinking hmmm okay.. fishy, but played it off. Then “dinner time” came around and we headed to “dinner”. The island is TINY and I know just about every inch of it so when he took certain turns I was like, “We’re not going to dinner” in my mind. We pulled up to this “little” trail and got out and he started walking me up it. By the way this “little” trail was completely up a rocky hill and ya girl was in wedges haha! Also, I knew there was 100% no food up there so I knew the proposal was coming. I started freaking out a little bit, which surprised me because I’ve never really cared about this stuff.

To be completely honest, I didn’t care if Andrew and I got married or not. Andrew just really wanted to get married and I love him so I agreed we would.

ANYWAY!!

We are walking up this hill and I’m thinking “Oh gosh, I saw cars in the parking lot, I hope there aren’t people up there! I have never wanted a public proposal! Also I’m starving and need to eat or I’m going to faint!” So all this is going through my head at the time and we finally get to the top and it’s literally the most amazing view of the island from a peak point. As we are walking up I see a group of women having a picnic and I’m like “oh no, oh no I don’t want them to see!” but then I see the most amazing floral decoration on the grass and couldn’t contain myself. I. START. SOBBING. Like hard core ugly crying!! I don’t know what came over me. To this day, I still think I blacked out!! So we walk over to the beautiful floral circle on the ground and step inside it. Andrew then grabbed my hands, looked at me, and I’m over here expecting something super romantic like a nice speech and he goes “Are you okay?”

I’m dying laughing just writing this because it was so funny! I didn’t know what to say because of course I was okay! I was just emotional about this all happening and I’m guessing I looked horrified or something ugly crying so I responded with, “Uh yeah!”

Then we waited in silence for a while and I kept thinking, “uhhhh is he going to say anything?!” and then finally he gave a cute little speech and to be honest I don’t even remember it. I don’t even remember saying yes! I’m the worst! While he was on one knee, one of the ladies who was at the picnic got up and started taking our photos and it was the freaking photographer I had hired to take our pictures on Monday!!!! Her and Andrew had both been sneaking around my back planning the entire proposal!! It was awesome because I knew I would like the photos because I freaking hired her!! They are both sneaky snakes and I love it because, y’all, look at these freaking photos. Her name is Anne Bequette and if you’re in the Virgin Islands area and need some photos, she’s your girl! Check out her website here. Andrew also hired an event planner, Michelle, who coordinated everything and was a literal dream! Check out her website here for any events or weddings you would like planned!

THE RING

So.. the ring. A couple of people have messaged me wanting to see the ring which I totally get but felt weird posting my ring on stories, ya know? BUT I also want to share it with y’all because it’s beautiful and unique and definitely could be some of y’all’s cup of tea or at least the place we got it. I didn’t want a traditional ring, surprise surprise! I really loved black diamonds and salt and pepper diamonds. The salt and pepper diamonds are grey and have bursts of black in the diamond, which is what Andrew ended up going with. The bigger image of the ring is just the stock photo from Ken and Dana Design for this specific style, then you can customize it with diamond size, gemstone, etc. This ring is basically straight out of the Lord of the Rings world! I seriously feel like an elf queen!

NOW IT’S DECISION TIME

I’ve learned in only a couple of weeks how many different options there are for getting married, oh and how freaking EXPENSIVE it is. I knew it was expensive but HOLY SHIT, y’all. Another thing is, I always compare my big purchases to trips around the world.

A couple of the more reasonable wedding venues are around $5,000 and that’s like a first class plane ticket somewhere or an entire amazing trip in the freaking Maldives or something! So when you are looking for venues a couple of tips I can give you are to:

• Create an account on the Knot. Basically they are the Google for weddings.

• Look at Airbnb’s that allow weddings.

• Search event spaces instead of wedding venues.

• Make sure the venues include A LOT such as: tables, chairs, tablecloths, sound system, set up/take down, etc.

• Ask family or friends to use their backyard or ranch for a gorgeous outdoor wedding.

• Check out prices for different days! Fridays and Sundays can be significantly cheaper than Saturdays! Like thousands upon thousands cheaper!

A couple of my friends actually mentioned doing a lot yourself, decor, planning, flowers, etc. Someone even mentioned ordering flowers from Costco or just ordering greenery from a vendor because it’s cheaper!

DO WHAT MAKES YOU & YOUR BAE HAPPY

Many people have suggested we just elope or have a small destination wedding, but all my cousins in my family have done that which means we’ve never actually all celebrated together as a family. Dancing with my grandparents and celebrating with all my cousins is something I really wanted if I did end up getting married. Andrew and I both really want a wedding where all our family members are able to attend. We both have family members that are older and unable to travel so having it somewhat close to their hometowns is necessary, which is why are are looking in Glen Rose, Waco, and Fort Worth. Andrew and I ultimately know what we want for a wedding and I’m just going to have to get creative to save money in the places I can!

What are your tips for planning a wedding? I’d love to hear more!

Love always,