\"From today forward you will never be alone, you will never doubt that you are worthy, and you will never wonder if you are loved.\" We are completely and utterly smitten with this couple's commitment to each other - they even made it through the first six months of their relationship apart! Read the couple’s story and watch their video by Miller Media Films.
How did you meet? What is your Love Story?
Erin and I first came into contact in February of 2013, as we shared mutual friends in Seattle, WA, where Erin was finishing her Nursing Degree at Seattle University. At this time, I was wrapping up my Business Degree at Eastern Washington University, 6 hours away. This being said, distance wasn't on our side, and our busy schedules, working and preparing to graduate, didn't leave much free time. We spent our initial six months getting to know one another via all-night phone calls, Face-time dates and sweet texts throughout the day. It wasn't until June that we would meet for our first official date, in Portland, Oregon. The timing and location was perfect: Portland is Erin's home town, and my new city, as I had just relocated for my job. Our first date was romantic and in the grand scheme of things, life changing for us both. While we initially went into this, knowing we had feelings for one another after all our months of communication, we weren't sure what to expect… Would we have the same chemistry and connection in person? Like every love story, there was that magical spark. We trusted our feelings and never looked back. Since that first date in June, we have lived in 4 different cities and 5 different apartments, experienced career changes and graduate school, we've had our highs and our lows, but at the end of the day, everything we've been through has brought us closer together. Erin truly is my best friend and better half.
In January 2016, while spending the weekend in my hometown with family, Erin planned a sweet proposal at a spot that is very sentimental to me. After my aunt's passing from cancer in 2010, my family had a bench placed along the river in her memory. As Erin knows, my aunt played a large role in my life and understood I would want her to share this special moment with me. We arrived to the bench on a cold Sunday morning (something we do during most visits home), and Erin pulled out a letter for me to read. It was a love letter than so genuinely summed up our journey as a couple, our friendship and what she saw for our future together. As I finished reading the letter, she dropped to one knee and asked me to marry her. (I'm crying just writing this! One of my favorite things about Erin is her ability to know exactly what my heart needs). After accepting, crying and jumping for joy, we went back to my parents house, where there was a special engagement party waiting for us. We celebrated with all of our loved ones and it was TRULY the best day I could have dreamed of.
Both of your dresses are STUNNING! Where did you get them/who are the designers?
Both of our dresses were made/altered by a small bridal shop in NW Portland, Cocoon Silk. Mine (Madison) was custom designed by the shop owner in attempts to bring my simple/Hollywood-style dream to life and Erin actually revamped her mother's wedding dress from the 80's! They removed the sleeves and added a new, modern skirt to the gown, which helped it feel fresh and new, while keeping all the sentimental meaning behind it.
How did you find Miller Media Films? How did you know they were the right videographer for your wedding?
Let me first say, we were SO lucky to have had Miller Media Films with us on our big day. Tina (from Media Miller Films) and I grew up together playing sports and she was always someone I connected with as we both shared the same creative passion. As she's spent the last few years launching her business, I have been overjoyed to see her talent and success take the world by storm! She is the kindest, most genuine and fun person to be around . Truly, the perfect addition to any couple's big day. Her videos capture the beautiful emotion and bond shared between two people so eloquently, we simply didn't want to miss the opportunity to have her document our wedding day. I have no doubt it is something we will look back on for the rest of our lives.
What was the most unexpected thing about your wedding?
Nothing! Black Butte Ranch had the whole day down to a science!
What was your favorite part of your wedding journey?
The best part of the wedding journey for us was the overwhelming support and love from friends and family, as well as others who we encountered along our journey. Being the first same-sex wedding and marriage for most of our guests (and ourselves), we truly didn't know what to expect. There were a lot of factors that we didn't have much of a guideline for when it came to planning: Would we have a traditional ceremony? Would we would we both wear dresses? Do we both walk down the aisle? As you can imagine, the list goes on and on, but our friends and families handled every piece of the planning with such grace, love and support. This includes everyone on our journey: our wedding team, event coordinator, photographer, videographer, gown-designer, bridesmaids/men, etc. We always felt the outpouring of love and I know that's something we will both cherish for years and years to come.
What is your advice for future brides?
Our best advice for future brides - ENJOY the process and soak up EVERY MINUTE of your wedding day. We were told time and again that it goes by so fast, but didn't have a true understanding until our special day was over. We are so fortunate to have the video footage, photos and memories to look back on, but it truly goes by in a flash. Embrace all the time you get with your loved ones and your partner - It is such an overwhelming, exciting and beautiful experience - If we could do it all again, we would 1,000 times over.