Holly + Colton

How did you meet?

I had recently gotten out of a 13 year relationship. I wasn’t looking for anything serious but one of my friends told me that they had a great guy for me. He gave Colton my snap chat and we immediately hit it off in early March of 2020. The week after we had started talking he took me to his parents house for his birthday dinner and it was then I found out he was 5 years younger than me. I was SHOCKED, he looked so much older and was a lot more mature than I thought a guy would be at 23. Obviously the 5 year difference didn’t bother me too much because the next week everything was on lockdown due to Covid and we were inseparable from the first time we met.

When did you know they were the one?

6 months after we started dating I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 28. I told Colton that he did not have to stay with me because that is a lot to take on for anyone but especially in a fairly new relationship and when you are only 22. He told me that night that he was not going anywhere and would be by my side for the whole journey. That’s when I 100% knew he was the one. He went with me to all of my doctors appointments, my first and last chemo treatment, and took care of me at my sickest and through every surgery I had.

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?

Selfless- From the beginning he put me before himself and would do (and currently does) anything to make me happy.
Sense of humor- This was so important to me. I needed someone who could always make light of any situation.
Positivity- Colton is the most positive person I have ever met. He brings light and a great attitude to anything we face.

Who proposed and how?

Colton proposed to me after a year and a half of dating. I had no idea he had even thoughts of getting a ring when it happened. We were at the beach with friends whom are like family to us. We were getting ready to go to a nice dinner and everyone wanted to go take pictures on the beach (this was nothing out of the ordinary). When we got to the beach my best friends mom said “Holly & Colton ya’ll take a picture together” and right when she was about to take it he dropped on one knee and I was SHOCKED. I didn’t even notice the 30 people who were all watching and videoing. I was so in the moment. It was amazing.

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

I am not lying when I say I fell in love with it from the first day ya’ll introduced it on your Instagram. When I saw it I immediately emailed my bridal store and told them when I had my appointment that I HAD to try on that dress. They emailed me back and said sorry we don’t have that dress but one similar to try on. I told them I could not make a decision without trying on the Elsie. They called me back a week later and told me they called another store and they were getting it in by the time I had my fitting.

When I went to my fitting I purposefully didn’t try on Elsie first because I knew I wouldn’t want to try on anything else. She was the third one I tried on and I immediately knew it was the one. I ordered extra fabric to make what looked like the Penny sleeves for my rehearsal dinner dress

What was the best moment for you at your wedding?

The best moment for me at my wedding had to be my first look with Colton. I had been keeping my dress a secret for a whole year and I am TERRIBLE at keeping secrets. He immediately cried when he turned around.

Remaking a picture that my grandparents made 60 years ago at their wedding.

What were your favourite details?

I have been planning my wedding since I could walk and talk. I knew I always wanted lace and something more traditional but I also like to be different and have things that not everyone else has. That’s what led me to the Elsie– the lace pattern was bigger and shiny and then the bows sealed the deal.

What advice would you tell other brides?

One of my best friends is actually getting engaged later today and I just got done writing her a letter with my advice.
#1- To live in the moment. You won’t be engaged your whole life so take all the pictures and videos and journal. Be sure to document everything along the process because it is hard to get these memories back.
#2- Surround yourself with positive people who will lift you up. Wedding planning can be stressful and you don’t want to have negative people surrounding you or people who put you down.
#3- At the end of the day the wedding is just about you and your husband and the love you have for one another. Don’t let that distract you from anything else.

Any standout vendors?

OMG YES!
Maggie Louise Bridal– The most amazing dress experience. Even after my wedding they reached out about places to get my dress preserved.
My amazing photographer Keli Lindsey Photography who made all of my visions come true.
I was very nervous about my hair on my wedding day because I lost it all during my chemo treatments. What made it worse is the girl that had been doing my hair for over half of my life couldn’t do my hair for wedding day because she was the maid of honor in her sisters wedding. She recommended RK Beauty Bar to me and they went ABOVE & BEYOND. They made me feel more beautiful than I had felt in more than two years and I am so thankful for them.
Twisted Twig Florals- Ashley Hill- AMAZING– I told her my vision and she brought it to life. Also, I got married on my 30th birthday and she showed up with a birthday cake on my wedding day & sang happy birthday to me.

There were so many more but those few stood out the most.