Caitlyn + Trey

How did you meet?

My now husband, Trey and I have always known of each other but never really knew each other. Trey was one of my younger brothers best-friends all throughout high school. Growing up we spent a lot of time around each other, but he was always just my younger brothers friend. Fast forward to many years later and a large group of us took a summer beach trip. It had been about 4 years since I had seen Trey, as I had moved 4+ hours away to attend college. I had just graduated and moved home to being my teaching career about 2 months prior. During that trip we started hanging out. To this day don’t know if he was more interested in spending time with me or my dog, Sadie on that trip… probably a little bit of both. Either way after the trip was over and we all went home Trey and I continued spending time with each other. We started dating in the fall of 2020 and the rest is history.

When did you know they were the one?

There wasn’t a specific moment when we were dating that I had this “ah ha” moment and knew he was the one. During our relationship Trey became my best friend. We pushed each other to be the best versions of ourselves. We supported each other through the good and the not so good times. Trey has always been very caring and patient with me and I knew early in our relationship I saw myself spending the rest of my life with him.

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?

I admire Trey for so much. He truly is a wonderful man and is my best friend. My three favorite things about him are 1. How selfless he is. He would do anything for anyone. He continually puts others before himself and would anything to help someone. 2. His drive and motivation in life. He is never afraid to step outside of his comfort zone and if he puts his mind to something he will do whatever it takes to get it done. 3. How hard working he is. He is always going to put his best forward and works hard to provide.

Who proposed and how?

In May of 2022, Trey asked me if I had anything going on the evening of Friday, May 27. I am a high school teacher so when he asked I started checking my calendar and told him that was the night of Graduation for students. He immediately starts panicking and telling me I have to see if there is anyway I could miss it. A good friend of ours is a photographer/videographer and Trey tells me he is doing a shoot for a golf course who is trying to promote their wedding venue and he needs us and another couple to come act as if we were engaged so he can get some pictures over to them. Fast forward to a few weeks later to the day of our engagement, Trey and I were driving to Cateechee Golf Club in Hartwell, Georgia and I could tell he was nervous about something. He didn’t say a word the first 30 minutes there and was in the drivers seat chewing his nails… Trey loves to talk so it was very uncharacteristic of him. I finally looked at him and said, “what in the world is wrong with you?” He told me he was nervous to have these pictures taken because he wanted to do a good job for Logan. As we started we’re taking pictures, Logan had us take a picture where I had my hand up on Trey’s chest right over his heart… when I tell you I could feel it racing. I had a feeling then there was something more going on. Very shortly after that picture was taken Trey got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Easiest “yes” of my life. We were completely surrounded by all of our friends who had been hiding in the clubhouse watching. It was definitely one of my favorite moments.

Where did you fall in love with your dress and why?

I started following MWL on socials before I even got engaged last May and came across Darcy shortly after. I had an appointment set at a local dress store and for some reason I couldn’t get the Darcy dress off my mind. One day a fews weeks before my first ever dress appointment I looked online to see the closest retailer to me that carried MWL, and Savvy Bride Boutique- Morganton was the closest… which was 3 hours away. I went to my mom and told her I couldn’t try anything else on until I had the chance to try on Darcy. I cancelled my first appointment and we drove 3 hours to Morganton, NC. It was the first dress I tried on and I fell in love. It was definitely the HARDEST secret to keep from everyone during wedding planning because I love her so much.’

What was the best moment for you at your wedding?

As I was taking pictures with my bridesmaids about mid day my wedding planner/coordinator, Crystal Williams asks me if I would consider doing a first look with Trey. They told me he was extremely nervous and they were concerned. I have been very adamant that I did not want to do a first look. I told them if they could put us on opposite corners or walls and we could just hold hands for a minute and let me talk to him then that would be fine, but he could not see me. They told me that if they allowed him to do that there was a good chance he would grab me and try to fully see me so let’s not do it at all. The best moment for me at our wedding was when we gates at the end of the aisle swung open and Trey and I got to see each other for the first time. The raw emotion we got to experience in that moment gave me chills and probably will for the rest of my life thinking back on it.

What were your favourite details?

My favorite details from our wedding was our florals. My mom and I started our own floral business last year called Pink Flamingo Designs and with our team did all of our wedding florals. Yes, call us crazy and it was most definitely an added stressor, but I wouldn’t change it if I had the chance. The Thursday before wedding day my entire house was filled with twenty plus people who were there to ensure we got everything done. Flowers filled almost every inch of my house. It was the most breath taking sight and I felt the most overwhelming amount of love and support in that moment. 72 hours of prep and the moment I walked down the aisle and walked into our reception I was a loss for words because we were able to make all of my dreams come true.

What advice would you tell other brides?

Enjoy the time you have as a bride and don’t let other’s opinions affect when YOU WANT. Trey and I had almost a year and a half engagement and I enjoyed every second of it. This season of life is something you will never experience again. Take it all in because it goes by faster than you would think.

Any standout vendors?

Crystal Williams Events. I was very much a “Type A” bride. I wanted things done a very particular way and I wanted to do everything myself. But, Crystal as our wedding planner made the experience of planning a wedding so much more enjoyable. She was always responsive… no matter how many times we interrupted her Wednesday date night. But more keeping me AND my mother sane through it all. We couldn’t have done any of it without her.