Kelsi+ Aaron

How did you meet?

We met on a hiking trip planned by mutual friends while in college. Initially I was more interested in befriending his adorable dog, but once we got to talking, we made fast friends! I told our mutual friend right away that I was interested in him, and she seemed to think we were an odd match. (It’s true we are polar opposites in many ways.) That only motivated me to prove her wrong!

When did you know they were the one?

A few days after we met, him and his friends invited my roommates and I over to hang out. Him and I went to chat outside on a balcony, and before we knew it, it was nearly four in the morning. We had just been chatting like old friends the whole time. I was so taken by how honest he was, and the genuine interest he showed with every question he asked. It’s hard to describe, but I just knew in my gut right then that this was my soulmate.

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?

He is genuinely the most caring person I know. He is constantly stopping to help random people on the street, and he is always looking out for his family and friends too.

He is incredibly resilient. He’s been through a lot of hardship in life, and somehow always manages to stay strong and positive.

He has a real appreciation for all the small things in life.

Who proposed and how?

Aaron proposed to me on Christmas Eve, while we were skiing in Colorado. He proposed right in the middle of the ski slope, and a snowboarder passing by stopped to capture the moment. It was such a surprise, and I loved that he proposed on the mountain, since we met on a mountain too.

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

I got my dress at Annalise Bridal Boutique in Richmond, VA. I went to the shop alone, after several visits to other stores with family. The dress was totally not what I had in mind, but it was so fun and gorgeous, I had to try it on, at least for fun. As soon as I put the dress on, I knew I had to have it! I FaceTimed my mom and she agreed the dress just screamed my name! It was so unique and so me!

What was the best moment for you at your wedding?

I loved the first look. It took away all our nerves, and we were able to really just soak in the love from that moment on. That, and just being surrounded by all the people I love. The energy was infectious! I couldn’t stop smiling!

What were your favourite details?

I loved our florals and the simple candle table settings. We took a very minimalistic approach with décor and just let the beach setting speak for itself. I also loved having late night sliders and fries for our guests at the end of the night. It was nice to have something fun and not too fancy!

What advice would you tell other brides?

Something will inevitably go wrong! Shake it off! I forgot to put my Holly veil on before the ceremony and almost cried when I realized. But no one noticed and the day was so perfect that little detail didn’t end up mattering! Just enjoy every moment, because it really flies by!!

Any standout vendors?

All of my vendors were incredible! My photographer Samantha Jay Photo was amazing. She captured so many beautiful candid moments that we will cherish forever. Her brother, Jake Hatfield (LaFave Cinema) was my videographer. His highlight reel of our wedding has probably been played 100 times already. We also adored our hair and makeup team from Blo Bar Greenville. They were so much fun and made everyone feel gorgeous!