Christina + Ryan

How did you meet?

Let me start this off with I hate dating apps and I had way too many long-distance relationships, so I’m sure you know where this is going! I was living in Dallas and visiting my family back home in Illinois. Something came over me and I decided to download Bumble; don’t ask. I swiped and matched with some guys and had no intention to talk to any of them. I didn’t want to do long distance again, remember? He was the only one I eventually messaged and the rest is history.

When did you know they were the one?

I honestly think from the beginning. I know it’s cliche, but things were different. We messaged for a week before we met up, which was two days before I was leaving back to Dallas. After our first date, I extended my trip to Illinois for a week and we hung out every single day.

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?

He honestly is THE nicest person and has the best heart
He is smart
He sees the positive in most things

Who proposed and how?

He proposed on Christmas Eve! He picked me and Olive, my dog, up to take us to his parent’s house for dinner. Soon after we got there he asked me to help him wrap a present for his mom. We both headed to the basement to begin wrapping the present. After a few minutes, his dad yells that Olive was loose in the backyard (their yard isn’t fenced and leads into the woods). I knew something was up! I kinda started to laugh as we went up the stairs to head to the backyard. We walked outside and there were lights strung all across the trees in the backyard. When we reached the lighted trees, there was my Olive on a leash, and on her collar was a heart tag that said “Can Ryan be my Dad?” He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes, of course.

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

I found my dress at a&be bridal shop in Dallas! It was the second bridal boutique I had an appointment at. After the first store, I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever find my dress because I can be very picky/particular (my friends were thinking the same thing). It was the second dress I tried on and I just KNEW (just like when you know you found the right person to marry); I was SO happy in it! I loved the dress for so many reasons – it was modern but timeless, simple but not too simple because it had the 3d floral lace and the full tulle skirt, I loved the slit and the structured tulle skirt and low back.

What was the best moment for you at your wedding?

The party of course! To be able to celebrate our special day by dancing and having tons of fun with so many of our friends and family is all I could ask for

What were your favorite details?

The flowers!! My mom’s a florist, so it was really important to me that my vision of a floral garden theme came to life with all the flowers 🙂 And it did!