Jared and I met at the beginning of our freshman year of college at Loyola University Chicago. A mutual friend at the time thought it would be a good idea to set us up, so we decided to start talking to each other! Our first date was actually a double date with some friends at Lickity Split. It’s a frozen custard place within walking distance of Loyola.
I knew Jared was “the one” by the end of our freshman year. He loved me despite my quirks. We had fun together. We felt like we could be ourselves around each other. We had a lot of fun getting to know each other and our personalities complimented each other. By the end of freshman year, I knew I never wanted to do life without him!
Jared proposed in July 2017. We had been together for about 6 years at that point. We were going to spend the weekend in Peoria and Springfield, Ill. to see some country concerts. Before the trip, I spent the night with him at his parent’s house so we could leave early the next morning. As a gift, he had gotten me a pair of cowboy boots I had wanted, and wrapped them in pretty paper with a big bow on top. I thought, ‘Aw you didn’t have to wrap these up for me!’ As I went to try them on, I felt a small little box wrapped in the same wrapping paper inside the boot. Jared took the box from me and proposed! Of course I said yes! I was shocked because it was early in the morning but it was so exciting! We got to celebrate our engagement by going to our favorite concerts.
We got married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Aurora, Ill. Our reception was at Abbey Farms, which is also in Aurora. I always wanted to get married in a barn or a farm so my wedding could have a country vibe.
The best part about getting married was being able to start the rest of my life with Jared! I had a Pinterest board for years with all the ideas I had dreamt about. Luckily, Jared liked many of the ideas, too, so it was amazing to see a vision come together in order to start something even more incredible! We got married and then moved in together the same weekend so it was such a big moment for both of us, and it was a day we will always cherish. Our wedding song was “You Make It Look So Easy” by Eric Church.
The worst part about planning a wedding is that sometimes other people’s opinions can interfere with certain things in the planning process. I learned how to accept opinions but ultimately did what Jared and I thought was best.
The advice I would give to brides is to do what makes you and the groom happy. It’s your special day. It doesn’t matter what others like or don’t like. I would say to get the food, cake, music and theme that you want, and just have fun. Also, try to roll with the day, even if things don’t go as planned.
{ 0 comments… add one now }