Christina + Joseph

How did you meet?

Joey and I met in our freshman year of high school while hanging out in our neighborhood. We never went to any of the same schools, but grew up across across the park from each other, and finally met through mutual friends when we were teenagers.

When did you know they were the one?

After briefly dating in high school, and going to prom together, we broke up for a few months. However, we did not last very long apart. It was not until we continued spending all of our time together while broken up as “pals,” (a named coined by Joey’s father) that I knew Joey was the one.

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?

Writing my vows made me realize how many of Joey’s attributes I love so much! If i had to pick just three, I would say my favorite are that he is extremely thoughtful, genuine, and supportive.

Who proposed and how?

This is a long one! lol
For Joey’s 30th birthday, I threw him a surprise party at a local bar. For as long as I’ve known him, Joey has not cared for large celebrations or making a big deal for his birthdays, so I knew a surprise was the only way to get his closest family and friends together for this milestone. Joey is also VERY hard to surprise, but his family, friends, and I somehow pulled it off and he had no idea!
Little did I know that Joey had already had an engagement ring at home in our apartment. He took the opportunity of having his closest people all in one place, along with my mom, sister, and two best friends also at the party, and sent a friend of his to our apartment for the ring. I had no idea any of this was going on, and Joey did not tell anyone at the party other than two friends (our parents had no idea).
When it was time for cake, everyone sang happy birthday, Joey blew out his birthday candles, and then went down on one knee and proposed. I was SO confused and SO surprised! We stayed at the bar after the party, hung out with our best friends, sang karaoke, and had the best time.

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

I fell in love with my dress at Lovely Bride NYC. On my way back to Lovely Bride for a second visit to re-try a MWL dress that was being discontinued, I saw Tilly announced on Instagram. I LOVED the simple silhouette, but delicate beaded lace details, along with the open back. It was truly exactly what I had been looking for. It turned out that I did not love the dress I went to try on, but I inquired about Tilly that day. I was advised that I would not have a dress in time for my wedding if I waited for Tilly to come to stores! I was crushed. A few weeks later, I had made a third and final appointment at Lovely Bride for a different designer’s trunk show. That week, they announced Tilly was available! I tried on Tilly very last at that appointment, my mom cried, and it was history.

What was the best moment for you at your wedding?

Definitely exchanging our written vows in front of all of our closest friends and family.

What were your favourite details?

If I had to pick just a few – my favorite wedding details were exchanging our own vows, having my little Grandma as our flower girl, our ceremony’s mountain scape backdrop (peaks we have hiked to together), our first dance song sang by our band, and the romantic candle lit atmosphere in the reception.

What advice would you tell other brides?

If there are details that are special to you, do it! BUT, on the wedding day, let everything go – trust every thing you have planned and everyone you have hired, because enjoying every second with your partner and loved ones is way more important than any little mishap (that also no one will notice).