Wedding Date on Oct 12, 2019

How did you two meet? We work for the same organization and were put on a project together (PR and Legal). I didn’t know Joel well at all but thought he was cute (and knew he was single) so I invited Joel to join me for a local career day to talk about our jobs. He said yes and the guidance counselor gave us gift cards to a local bakeshop as a thank you. He asked me for coffee and cupcake one Saturday morning in November 2017 and that was our first date. I didn’t know it was a date. Guess it was! How did the proposal happen? After dinner one Friday night the boys and Joel went upstairs to get game night together, or so I thought. One child came downstairs to distract me and the other two lit candles, and prepped the stairs with rose petals. The youngest kiddo faked an injury so I would come up (which didn’t work) but once they got me on the second floor I heard our favorite song playing and saw one son filming, then noticed Joel on one knee with a ring! He proposed and the boys told me to accept the rock, mommy! I did! What is your favorite memory from your wedding day? Hard to pick just one. First look was awesome for Joel to get his crying out early haha and I loved our vows! They were uniquely us. What's your top tip to all soonlyweds out there planning their wedding? Keep a date night on the books without wedding talk. It can get overwhelming. Conversely, pick a day each week to talk budget, updates. We called ours Matrimony Monday. We tackled guest list, vendors, tastings, etc. Delegate!! You picked a wedding party for a reason. Play to their strengths. Our goal was to have a day where people, when they arrived, would say, “this is so THEM!” Make it YOUR day! We stand in awe of what God has done and continues to do in our lives. Despite our own human failings and shortfalls, He has shown us with perfect clarity what He has in store for our new family. He shaped and molded that day — and all the other days that follow — better than any bride, groom, or wedding planner could have done or will do. His love is everlasting. A wise Uber driver once told me, no matter what happens, at the end of the day when you’re married, that’s all that matters. Best wishes to engaged couples! On the way to their first look at Muddy’s Bake Shop, I rode in the car with the groom, Joel. “Why Muddy’s?” I asked. It was where they had their first date. Joel began to recite details to me that made it clear he knew from the beginning that Tanya was the one he wanted to marry. He remembers what time he woke up on the day he met her. The names and flavors of cupcakes they had at their first date. I learned so much about Tanya and Joel on their wedding day. Their wedding vows told beautiful stories that gave a glimpse into their histories, their love for each other, and their personalities. “Joel, I promise to join you on rollercoasters, unless they are ridiculous as which point I will send in one of our boys in my place,” Tanya joked. Here’s what I loved most about her vows: She started each point this way, with a funny anecdote, that led into a more poignant promise. “I promise to join you on this life ride that God set in motion long ago but has revealed to us in the last two years with perfect clarity.” Joel, in a beautiful gesture, invited Tanya’s three sons up and dedicated his vows to all of them. “I promise peace,” he began, “In the morning and in the evening. We’ll put our phones down and together take a deep breath and calmly thank our heavenly Father for the hours ahead and those that have become part of our history.” To say this was a beautiful day is an understatement. I can’t express how grateful and honored I am to have witnessed and filmed this special day for Tanya, Joel, and their families. What an inspirational example of love and family!